Light microscopic observations on the reproductive tract of the male sand rat, Psammomys obesus

The anatomy of the reproductive tract of the male sand rat, Psammomys obesu s, was examined by light microscopy. Histologically, the reproductive tract is similar to other rodent species. Seminiferous tubules in the 1-month-ol d sand rat do not contain a tubular lumen but Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes are present. A full complement of germ cells is present i n the seminiferous tubules by 2.5 months and spermatogenesis is well establ ished. The interstitial space is not well defined until 2.5 months when cel l types typical of most rodent species are observed. The epididymis is not noticeably segmented into lobules. An epididymal lumen is not observed unti l 2.5 months. Cauda epididymal sperm are not observed in the 1 or 2.5-month -old animals and cauda epididymal sperm counts from the 7.5 and 12.5-month- old animals are highly variable. The epididymis, proximal and middle region s of the vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate display morphological and histological characteristics similar to other rodent species. The dista l end of the vas deferens is not expanded to form an ampulla.