ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Tight junction
;
Freeze fracture
;
Epididymis
;
Hibernating bats
;
Sertoli cell-like junctional complex
;
Antrozous pallidus
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Measurements of extremely high osmolalities in cauda epididymidal fluids of hibernating bat species led to an investigation of the junctional complex morphology of the epithelium of this sperm storage site. Freeze fracture replicas revealed the presence, at certain times of the year, of a tight junction architecture that resembled that traditionally thought to be exclusive to the blood-testis barrier, the strongest permeability barrier in the body. It is hypothesized that seasonal establishment of these specialized Sertoli cell-like tight junctions is necessary to the maintenance of the high osmotic state of the luminal environment, allowing for the prevention of dilution of its contents by paracellular routes and its protection from bursting under the osmotic pressure contained within. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
7 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092370406
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