Unit gravity sedimentation separation of cells comprising the caput epididymidis of the rat.

Cells from the rat caput epididymidis were separated by unit gravity sedimentation. Purest 12-ml fractions contained 88-95% basal cells or 64-76% principal cells. Ultrastructure of separated cells was similar to that of cells in intact tissue. Viability of separated cells was excellent as determined by dye exclusion tests and cellular ATP content. By combining fractions pools containing 4.0 +/- 0.9 X 10(6) cells (86 +/- 8% basal cells) and 1.4 +/- 0.4 X 10(6) cells (56 +/- 7% principal cells) were obtained. Thus, studies on the function of basal and principal cells from the rat caput epididymidis should be possible.