Cholinesterase distributions in the rat epididymis and vas deferens after castration and sex hormone treatments

Abstract

Abstract Cholinesterase (ChE) distributions in the epithelial and smooth muscle cells and in the peripheral nervous plexus of the reproductive ducts of the male rat are dependent on male sex hormones. Castration results in establishment of a low maintenance level of apical enzyme activity in the epithelial cells; smooth muscles and the nerve plexus of the vas deferens and cauda epididymidis also show reduced enzyme reactions. Testosterone treatment restores the normal enzyme relations in the epithelium and smooth muscles. Estradiol is partially effective, but reaction intensities do not attain normal distrbutions and proportions. Reductions in relative numbers of ChE positive nerve plexus fibers and their enzyme reactivity, and recession to outer muscle layers occur in castrates, but better recoveries follow after testosterone than after estradiol treatments. The results are interpreted to be in agreement with other data relating to smooth muscle behavior and its neural and hormonal regulation. Epithelial cell differentiation is complete in testosterone treated castrates, but is incomplete in estradiol treated cases, although ChE synthesis and duct growth occurs in the latter.