Age-related changes in the hamster epididymis.

Reproductive ability is decreased in aged animals and in men. Little is known about the changes taking place in the epididymis, and the possible influence on the loss of sperm quality. We studied the age-related alterations in the epididymis and in epididymal spermatozoa of hamsters. Adult (6-month-old), middle-aged (18-month-old), and aged (24-month-old) hamsters were used. Serum samples were obtained to determine testosterone levels. Testes and epididymides were removed and studied by light and electron microscopy. Epididymal sperm was also obtained and the motility, position of cytoplasmic droplet, and concentration were evaluated. Measurements of the height of the epithelium, length of stereocilia, external tubular diameter, and thickness of the muscular wall were performed. The proliferative activity was also studied. An ANOVA analysis was used to compare quantitative differences between epididymal zones and age groups. Aged hamsters presented involutive changes in the epididymis. A decrease in tubular diameter was found in cauda; principal cell ultrastructure showed changes including the appearance of damaged mitochondria, bundles of filaments, and the accumulation of lipofuscin. Some clear cells showed an unusual morphology by the presence of large electrondense vacuoles. A reduction in sperm quality was also observed, including a decrease in sperm motility and concentration, and alterations in the migration of sperm cytoplasmic droplet. Testosterone levels and cellular proliferative activity did not change. Aging causes a morphological alteration of hamster epididymis (mainly in the cauda), and a decrease in sperm quality. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.