       Document 0427
 DOCN  M9620427
 TI    Total number of immunocompetent cells in the normal rat epididymis and
       after vasectomy.
 DT    9602
 AU    Hooper P; Smythe E; Richards RC; Howard CV; Lynch RV; Lewis-Jones DI;
       Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of; Liverpool,
       UK.
 SO    J Reprod Fertil. 1995 Jul;104(2):193-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96046541
 AB    The aim of this study was to make unbiased quantitative estimates of the
       number of T8 cytotoxic cells and T4 helper cells and macrophages in the
       head and tail of rat epididymides, using newly developed design-based
       stereological methods in fertile control animals, and to compare these
       with results from vasectomized animals. The location of these cells
       within the intra- and interepithelial compartments of the epididymis was
       also studied. In control animals, both the T4 helper cells and
       macrophages and T8 cytotoxic cells were found in significantly higher
       numbers (P < 0.01) in the head interepithelial location than in the
       intraepithelial site. In addition, there were significantly more (P <
       0.01) T8 cytotoxic cells in the tail interepithelial region. Within the
       head region of vasectomized rats, there was a significant increase in T8
       cytotoxic cells in the intraepithelial location (P < 0.01), and a
       decrease in T4 helper cells and macrophages in the interepithelial
       region (P < 0.05). Serum samples from vasectomized animals, when
       compared with those from control animals, showed a significant increase
       in cytotoxic antisperm antibody. This suggests that, in response to the
       increased spermatozoal antigenic absorption that takes place in the
       epididymis after vasectomy, the immune system redistributes its T cell
       subsets to modify the immune tolerance that may occur.
 DE    Animal  CD4 Lymphocyte Count  CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/CYTOLOGY
       CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/CYTOLOGY  Epididymis/CYTOLOGY/*IMMUNOLOGY
       Immunocompetence  Immunohistochemistry  Lymphocyte Count
       Macrophages/*CYTOLOGY  Male  Rats  Rats, Wistar  Spermatozoa/CYTOLOGY
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  T-Lymphocytes/*CYTOLOGY  *Vasectomy  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

