P. Hooper et al., TOTAL NUMBER OF IMMUNOCOMPETENT CELLS IN THE NORMAL RAT EPIDIDYMIS AND AFTER VASECTOMY, Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 104(2), 1995, pp. 193-198
The aim of this study was to make unbiased quantitative estimates of t
he number of T8 cytotoxic cells and T4 helper cells and macrophages in
the head and tail of rat epididymides, using newly developed design-b
ased stereological methods in fertile control animals, and to compare
these with results from vasectomized animals. The location of these ce
lls within the intra- and interepithelial compartments of the epididym
is 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 in
traepithelial 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 d
ecrease in T4 helper cells and macrophages in the interepithelial regi
on (P < 0.05). Serum samples from vasectomized animals, when compared
with those from control animals, showed a significant increase in cyto
toxic antisperm antibody. This suggests that, in response to the incre
ased spermatozoal antigenic absorption that takes place in the epididy
mis after vasectomy, the immune system redistributes its T cell subset
s to modify the immune tolerance that may occur.