A study of the function of the epididymis. I. Is the attainment of full spermatozoon maturity attributable to some specific action of the epididymal secretion?

作者：William Chad Young · 发表于：Journal of Morphology · 年份：1929 · DOI：10.1002/jmor.1050470206 · 被引用次数：51 · 研究领域：Sperm and Testicular Function、Reproductive Biology and Fertility、Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species

Abstract During the past few years many functions have been assigned to the epididymis which have been supplementary to its rǒle in sperm storage and to its secretory activity. One of these, the suggestion that sperm attain full maturity and are strengthened in consequence of some action of its secretion, has been reinvestigated as the first part of a study which is intended to include other aspects of the problem. No evidence in support of the theory was obtained from a series of experiments on various mammals representing a repetition and extension of earlier work. On the contrary, the strengthening and attainment of full spermatozoon maturity would seem to be the outcome of changes which are inherent in the sperm themselves. It is suggested, therefore, until other aspects of the subject can be reinvestigated, that the epididymis is simply a reservoir for sperm in which the processes of sperm development which start while they are still contained in the testis are free to continue because of the favorable environment present in the epididymis.