AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 269, Issue 5 1197-R1203, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Antegrade and retrograde fluid transport through the vas deferens
K. Kihara, K. Sato, M. Ando, H. Azuma and H. Oshima
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Intraluminal pressure of the seminal tract at seminal emission from the
ejaculatory duct and the mode of transport of cauda epididymal contents
were investigated to explore the mechanism of sperm transport. Direct
electrical stimulation of any site of the cauda epididymis and vas
deferens, which generated nerve-transmitted muscle contraction, caused
elevation of the intraluminal pressure only at the cauda epididymis,
whereas stimulation of the testis, caput, and corpus epididymis caused no
response. The dye instilled in the cauda was emitted into the urethra
during the stimulation. Shortly after discontinuation of the stimulation,
retrograde movement of residual dye in the vas resulted in its ultimate
reentry into the cauda epididymis. Significant decrease of the muscle tonus
just after contraction was observed at the cauda. Distension of the wall of
the vas generated elevation of the intraluminal pressure only at the site
distended. The above results indicate the presence of rapid antegrade and
retrograde movement of the sperm and the crucial role of the cauda
epididymis on the sperm transport.
