Читать книгу Bovine Reproduction - Группа авторов - Страница 24

The convoluted seminiferous tubules are the location of the spermatogenic process: the development of spermatogonia to primary spermatocytes, to spermatids, and finally to spermatozoa [1]. This process occurs within the wall of the seminiferous tubule. Specific regions of the tubule are devoted to a particular stage of development, so that each stage can be identified by specific histological techniques [6]. Upon completion of spermiogenesis, the spermatozoa are released into the lumen of the convoluted seminiferous tubule to begin transit through the straight seminiferous tubule. The straight seminiferous tubule is simply the connection between the convoluted seminiferous tubule and the rete testis. The rete testis is a “network of irregular labyrinth spaces and interconnected tubules” [2]. The rete testes are located within the mediastinum testis connecting the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts that exit the testicle at the extremitas capitata (head). The efferent tubular system continues as the epididymis on the external surface of the testis (Figure 1.5). The epididymis is divided into a head, a body located on the medial surface, and a tail located at the distal extremitas caudate.

Figure 1.5 Components of epididymis: Sc = spermatic cord, Ep‐h = head of epididymis, Ep‐b = body of epididymis, Ep‐t = tail of epididymis.