Epididymis, Duct - Atrophy



comment:
Atrophy of the epididymis is generally associated with decreased luminal sperm content, secondary to decreased testicular spermatogenesis. It is characterized by a decreased diameter of the ducts, resulting in intraductal folding of the epithelium to form a scalloped appearance. The interstitial stroma may also be increased ( Figure 3

recommendation:
Ductal atrophy should be recorded and graded and should be discussed in the pathology narrative if the incidence and/or severity appears to be related to chemical administration. If both epididymides are involved, the diagnosis should be indicated as bilateral and the severity based on the more severely affected epididymis. Correlation with disturbances in other male reproductive organs is recommended to aid interpretation.references:
Creasy D, Bube A, de Rijk E, Kandori H, Kuwahara M, Masson R, Nolte T, Reams R, Regan K, Rehm S, Rogerson P, Whitney K. 2012. Proliferative and nonproliferative lesions of the rat and mouse male reproductive system. Toxicol Pathol 40:40S-121S. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22949412
Ezer N, Robaire B. 2002. Androgenic regulation of the structure and functions of the epididymis. In: The Epididymis: From Molecules to Clinical (Robaire B, Hinton BT, eds). New York, Kluwer/Plenum, 297-316. Abstract: http://www.springer.com/medicine/urology/book/978-0-306-46684-7
Klinefelter GR. 2002. Actions of toxicants on the structure and function of the epididymis. In: The Epididymis: From Molecules to Clinical (Robaire B, Hinton BT, eds). New York, Kluwer/Plenum, 353-370. Abstract: http://www.springer.com/medicine/urology/book/978-0-306-46684-7
Web page last updated on: August 19, 2014