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Biomedical subjects

D W Fawcett

Publications and source records attributed to D W Fawcett.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Morphology of the epithelium of the extratesticular rete testis, ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis of the adult male rabbit.

The fine structure of the epithelium lining the extratesticular rete testis, ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis of the rabbit has been investigated. In the ductuli efferentes the epithelium is composed of two cell types, principal cells and ciliated cells. The latter type is distinguished from principal cells by the presence of cilia projecting into the lumen and the position of the nucleus in the apical half of the cell. Principal cells in this segment are characterized by micropinocytotic vesicles on the surface plasma membrane and a variety of small dense bodies scattered throughout the cytoplasm. In the ductus epididymidis basal cells replace ciliated cells as the second cell type, but differences between various segments of the epididymis are related to the fine structure of the principal cells. In the proximal caput epididymidis (Nicander's region 1) the principal cells are tall with long microvilli. They typically contain a small Golgi apparatus and a cluster of dense bodies adjacent to the nucleus. In the distal caput epididymidis (Nicander's regions 2-5) the apical cytoplasm of principal cells is filled with numerous micropinocytotic vesicles and large multivesicular bodies; these features are interpreted as signs of absorptive activity. The multivesicular bodies are absent from the cytoplasm of principal cells in the corpus epididymidis (Nicander's region 6) and, instead, numerous elements of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, a large Golgi apparatus, lipid droplets and dense bodies characterize principal cells in this segment. Towards the proximal cauda epididymidis (Nicander's region 7), the number of dense bodies (lysosomes) in the cytoplasm increases considerably. In the globose cauda (Nicander's region 8), the principal cells are reduced in height, and in addition to the features described in region 7, are characterized by a concentric array of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the basal cytoplasm. These observations are discussed in relation to the role of the epididymis in promoting the maturation and survival of spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Changes in distribution of nuclear pores during differentiation of the male germ cells.

Changes in number of nuclear pores in different states of physiologica activity have been reported, but little is known about changing patterns of distribution in the course of cell differentiation. Pore distribution in male germ cells was studied in freeze fracture preparations of immature and mature rodent testis. As in other somatic cells, pores were uniformly and apparently randomly distributed in Sertoli cell nuclei. The nucleus of gonocytes and spermatogonia showed varying degrees of pore clustering. Spermatocytes invariably exhibited very striking pore aggregation with close hexagonal packing in pore-rich areas, and large pore-free areas. In early spermatids, pores appeared to be randomly distributed. As the acrosome formed and spread over the apical pole of the nucleus, pores disappeared ahead of its advancing margin and became more concentrated in the post-acrosomal region. The relationship of pore complexes to the chromosomes and the role of the fibrous lamina are discussed. The question as to whether the changing patterns observed involve movement of pores within fluid nuclear membranes, or a dissolution and reformation of new pores remains unanswered.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Unusual features of the nuclear envelope in human spermatogenic cells.

Different types of human germ cells show unusual features of the nuclear envelope. Spermatogonial nuclei demonstrate two kinds of modifications. The first one is a series of intranuclear flattened cisterns, parallel to each other and to the inner aspect of the nuclear envelope. The second one is a nuclear envelope protrusion into the cytoplasm occupied by a double membrane-limited vesicle. Pores are found on the membrane of the vesicle facing the interior of the nucleus. In spermatocytes the nuclear pores are concentrated over certain areas and completely absent from others. In the regions where they are absent a single cytoplasmic cistern of rough endoplasmic reticulum is closely apposed to the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Early modifications of the nuclear surface appear in spermatids before the attachment of the acrosomic vesicle and may indicate an active role of the nuclear envelope in the morphogenesis of the acrosome. In round spermatids nuclear pores are absent from the area which is first related to the Golgi and later covered by the acrosomal cap. Single or multiple layers of cytoplasmic annulate lamellae are closely associated with the nuclear envelope over the pore rich areas. Frequently there are intranuclear accumulations of dense material adjacent to the annulate lamellae-nuclear pore complex. The chromatoid body is usually present on the cytoplasmic side of this complex. In the elongating spermatids most annulate lamellae are free in the cytoplasm, often in relation with Golgi and chromatoid body remnants near the axial filament. Few stacks of annulate lamellae are noted adjacent to the pore rich nuclear regions. It is suggested that the described modifications are related to an active nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

An improved perfusion fixation method for the testis.

A reliable and uniform vascular perfusion fixation method for the testis has been developed by using an initial washout solution containing a vasodilator and an anticoagulant. This is followed by a brief fixation with a sodium phosphate buffered formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde solution of conventional strenght, and then a second more concentrated aldehyde fixative solution containing picric acid. The method takes into account some of the unique features of the vascular supply of the male genital tract for its favorable perfusion and fixation. The advantages of this method are: (1) consistently favorable preservation of the testis; (2) simple and inexpensive apparatus; and (3) stable and relatively innocuous stock solutions.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Putative steroidogenic cells associated with the ductuli efferentes of the ground squirel (Citellus lateralis).

During a study on the fine structure of different regions of the reproductive tract of the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, cells possessing cytological features associated with steroid production were observed among the ductuli efferentes. Comparison of the morphology of these cells with that of Leydig and adrenocortical cells, demonstrated that they resembled Leydig cells in many anatomical details. Further evidence for the similarity of the cells associated with the ductuli efferentes to Leydig cells emerged during sexual regression, when both types of cells underwent the same regressive changes in organization and morphology. This suggests that the cells present among the ductuli efferentes are active in the synthesis of androgenic hormones, and possibly play a role in the endocrine control of reproduction in this species of ground squirrel.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1976

Tannic acid as an electron-dense probe in the testis.

The use of tannic acid to preserve and promote the staining of protein constituents of the extracellular fluid is described. Its usefulness for delineating the extracellular compartment and detecting changes in capillary permeability is illustrated in experiments on the testis.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Isolation and characterization of the perforatorium of rat spermatozoa.

The perforatorium of rat spermatozoa was isolated and its protein composition determined. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the organelle is composed of a single polypeptide component with a molecular weight of 13,000. The perforatorium becomes more resistant to solubilization during epididymal transit due to an apparent increase in disulphide bond content. Amino acid analysis of the perforatorium polypeptide revealed a content of 6-5% cysteine.

Amino Acids↗