Reticulin fibres in the tunica albuginea and peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules of adult male wistar rats

Author: Fakoya F.A.

Source: acta histochemica, Volume 104, Number 3, September 2002 , pp. 279-283(5)

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Abstract:

Reticulin fibres are fine fibres that contain primarily collagen type III and are found in soft blood-forming or blood-processing tissues, and are supportive elements in kidney, liver and thymus. This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of reticulin fibres in the tunica albuginea and peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules of adult rat testes after staining with the metallic silver impregnation method. Reticulin fibres of peritubular tissues may provide a supportive framework for germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules to allow the periphery-to-centre progression of spermatozoa during spermatogenesis. The presence of fibres in all stages of the spermatogenic cycle suggests that they have structural functions.

Keywords: Reticulin fibres; seminiferous tubules; rat testis; type III collagen; myoid cells; tunica albuginea

Language: English

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0065-1281-00646

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Publication date: 2002-09-01