SEASONAL CHANGES IN THE TESTES, EPIDIDYMIDES AND SEMINAL VESICLES OF DEER INVESTIGATED BY HISTOCHEMICAL METHODS1

Abstract

The testes, epididymides and seminal vesicles of deer undergo seasonal changes. The cells of the interstitial tissue in autumn contain lipid droplets which are sudanophil and birefringent, give a positive plasmal reaction, exhibit yellow fluorescence and are soluble in acetone. The combination of these reactions indicates that steroid hormones are formed in the interstitial tissue. In June testes these reactions are much less intense. The interstitial cells contain traces of alkaline phosphatase. The cells of the seminiferous tubules of the active fall tests contain large amts. of both acid and alkaline phosphatase, whereas in June these enzymes are much decreased, Glycogen occurs in some of the Sertoli cells in active testes, while in inactive ones it is present in the tubular lumens. The acroblasts and the acrosomes of the spermatids, as well as the heads of the spermatozoa, are stained red by the periodic acid-Schiff method, a reaction not prevented by the use of saliva and indicative of a glycoprotein. The spermatozoa contain both acid and alkaline phosphatases and their head stain faintly with sudan black B. The cells lining the ductus epididymidis contain both acid and alkaline phosphatases. The former is localized principally in the nucleus, distal cytoplasm and ciliated border of the columnar cells, the latter in the ciliated border of the columnar cells and in the cytoplasm of the small basal cells.