Anat Cell Biol.  2011 Dec;44(4):284-294. 10.5115/acb.2011.44.4.284.

Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

• Alkafafy M
• Rashed R
• Emara S
• Nada M
• Helal A

• KMID: 1447442
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2011.44.4.284

Abstract

This study was conducted to underscore the spatial distribution of some biologically active proteins within the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel. Paraffin-embedded sections from different regions of epididymis were stained by conventional histological techniques and by immunohistochemistry. A battery of primary antibodies against six proteins (S100, alpha smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA], connexin-43 [Cx43], galactosyltransferase [GalTase], angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE], and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were used. The epididymal epithelium consisted of five cell populations: principal, basal, apical, dark, and halo cells. The histochemical findings indicated the absence of binding sites for VEGF and Cx43. The principal cells (PCs) showed variable immunoreactivity (IR) for ACE, S100, and GalTase throughout the whole length of the duct. The apical surfaces of most PCs (at the caput) and some PCs (at the corpus) exhibited intense ACE-IR, whereas those at the cauda displayed alternating negative and strong immunostaining. Similarly, moderate S100-IR was found in cytoplasm and nuclei of all PCs at the caput, few PCs at the corpus, and several PCs alternating with negative PCs at the cauda. In contrast, only some PCs showed weak to strong GalTase-IR in different regions. Apart from negative to weak positive S100-IR, basal cells failed to show IR for all other proteins. Apical cells displayed strong IR for ACE, S100, and GalTase with some regional differences. The peritubular and vascular smooth muscle cells revealed strong alpha-SMA-IR in all regions. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of different proteins in camel epididymis showed similarities and differences to other mammalian species. The region-specific topographic distribution of different proteins and cell types might indicate that the caput and cauda are metabolically more active than that of the corpus.

Keyword

One-humped camel; Epididymis; Histology; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Actins
Antibodies
Binding Sites
Camels
Connexin 43
Cytoplasm
Epididymis
Epithelium
Histological Techniques
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Muscle, Smooth
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Proteins
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Actins
Antibodies
Connexin 43
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Proteins
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained section of epididymal caput displaying triangular (arrowhead) and stellate shaped (asterisk) lumina. (B) Trichrome-stained section of epididymal corpus showing thin lamina propria (arrowheads), pseudostratified columnar epithelium (asterisk) provided with stereocilia (arrow). (C) Periodic acid-Schiff-stained section of corpus epididymis lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium (asterisk) showing positive (longhead arrows) and negative (arrows) apical cells (ACs) and basal cells (arrowheads). (D) H&E-stained section of epididymal cauda showing ACs (arrowheads), flat basal cell (arrow), principal cells (longhead arrow), and peritubular muscle coat (asterisk). Scale bars=100 µm (A), 20 µm (B-D).

• 

  Fig. 2 Angiotensin converting enzyme-immunostained sections of epididymal (A) caput showing strongly reactive apical cells (ACs) (arrowheads) and sporadic negatively reactive AC (arrow); (B) caput displaying strongly positive ACs (arrow and arrowhead); (C) corpus displaying strongly reactive ACs (arrowheads); corpus (D) cauda presenting intensly reactive principal cells (arrowheads) alternating with negative ones. Scale bars=50 µm (A, B, D) and 20 µm (C).

• 

  Fig. 3 S100-immunostained sections of epididymal (A) caput displaying moderately reactive dark cells (arrowheads) and intensely stained nuclei of principal cells (PCs) (arrows); (B) corpus showing strongly reactive apical cells (arrow) and moderately stained peritubular muscle coat (PMC) (arrowheads); (C) cauda presenting intensly reactive PMC (arrowheads) and PCs (arrows) alternating with negative ones; (D) cauda presenting moderately reactive PMC (arrowheads) and intensely stained PCs (arrows) surrounding an intraepithelial gland (asterisk). Scale bars=50 µm (A), 20 µm (B-D).

• 

  Fig. 4 (A) Galactosyltransferase (GalTase)-immunostained section of epididymal caput displaying strongly reactive apical cells (arrowheads). (B) GalTase-immunostained section of epididymal corpus showing intensely stained blood vessel (arrowhead) and strongly reactive principal cells (arrows) surrounding an intraepithelial gland (gl). (C, D) Alpha smooth muscle actin-immunostained section of epididymal caput and cauda presenting intensly reactive peritubular muscle coat (arrowheads) and vascular smooth muscles (arrows). Scale bars=50 µm (A, C, D), 20 µm (B).

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