AbstractEpithelial cells of the rat epididymis are of two major types, principal and holocrine. So called basal, apical, and clear cells represent different stages of the holocrine cell cycle in which it accumulates secretion products, dies, and is replaced. The twocell types differ not only in their secretory behavior, but also in mitotic characteristics and staining properties. Condensed mitoses of holocrine cells occur in the basal epithelium, but larger mitotic figures of principal cells occur in their own apical regions. Holocrine cells are acid phosphatase positive only in their activated basal forms, but are strongly PAS and silver positive in all stages except when disintegrating. In principal cells, only the Golgi area is acid phosphatase and silver positive, and small scattered PAS granules also appear in this region. While secretory functions of both cell types are under testicular hormone control, frequent mating releases holocrine cellsfrom the epithelium into the lumen where they disintegrate. A shortened cycle in mated males occurs within 24 hours. Holocrine cells are also present in the rat vas deferens. Cells with similar staining reactions occur in ductuli efferentes and seminal vesicles of the rat, and in epididymides of hamsters and guinea pigs. Similar fixation methods and staining reactions applied to purified glycerylphosphorylcholine indicate that holocrine cells may accumulate and secrete this constituent of epididymal fluids.
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