Page 811 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 20.14 ■ Ampulla of the ductus (vas) deferens (transverse section).
Stain: hematoxylin and eosin. Low magnification.

FUNCTIONAL CORRELATIONS 20.3 ■

Excurrent Ducts of Testes

DUCTULI EFFERENTES (EFFERENT

DUCTULES)

The sperm leave the straight tubules and enter the rete testis. The motility of
cilia in the ductuli efferentes creates a current that assists in transporting the
fluid and sperm from the seminiferous tubules of the testes to the ductus

epididymis. In addition, the contractility of the smooth muscle fibers that
surround the ductules efferentes assists movement of the sperm into the
ductus epididymis. The nonciliated cuboidal cells in the ductuli efferentes
absorb most of the testicular fluid that was produced in the seminiferous
tubules by Sertoli cells.

DUCTUS EPIDIDYMIS

The coiled ductus epididymis is the site for accumulation, storage, and
further maturation of sperm. Upon entering the epididymis, the sperm are
nonmotile and incapable of fertilizing an oocyte. However, during their
passage through the tubules of the ductus epididymis, the sperm acquire

motility, maturation of the acrosome, and the ability to fertilize an oocyte.
The maturation process of the sperm is dependent on the proper levels of
testosterone.

810