The Microstructures of the Ductus deferens in the African fruit bat, Epomops franqueti (TOMES, 1860), from Histological and Immunohistochemistry Perspective

Abstract

Mammalian ductus deferens has been described as being a mere conduit for the expulsion of spermatozoa through the ejaculatory duct, prostatic urethra and penile urethra. Reports on the ductus deferens in bats were relatively scanty compared to other mammalian species. There exists scarcity of information on the knowledge of the microscopic structural make up in the bat ductus deferens, essential for propulsion of the spermatozoa required for conservation of bat vis-a-vis fertilization. Therefore, the need to investigate the structures of the ductus deferens in 
bat. Ten adult male Epomops franqueti captured during the peak of the raining season in Ibadan (between June and September) were used for this work. Routine (H&E) and differential immunohistochemistry staining of the ductus deferens were carried out. Cytokeratin AE1 and α-smooth muscle actin were also used. Light microscopy of the paraffin sections revealed that the ductus deferens in E. franqueti had three layers: mucosa, muscular and adventitia layers. The mucosa was lined by numerous pseudostratified columnar cells and few basal cells. The epithelium rested on a basal lamina propria. The epithelium of the ductus deferens was positive to Cytokeratin AE1 but nonreactive to α-smooth muscle actin. The smooth muscle of the ductus deferens was positive to α-smooth muscle actin but nonreactive to Cytokeratin AE1. The structure of the ductus deferens in the E. franqueti suggested its vital role in the survival of the spermatozoa beyond their propulsion in the course of ejaculation during coitus. E. franqueti ductus deferens was typically mammalian.