OBJECTIVESTo detect the changes of DNA ploidy of spermatogenic cells in testis and epididymis.

METHODSRight epididymides and testes from 15 fertile youth donors who died of accident were collected. Samples of spermatogenic cells in different regions of epididymis (caput, corpus and cauda) and tests were collected. DNA of spermatogenic cells were detected by flow cyctometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe haploid(1n), diploid(2n) and tetraploid(4n) spermatogenic cells were existed in different regions of epididymis and testis. The 1n cells increased from (24.87 +/- 7.28)% in testis to (96.33 +/- 1.58)% in epididymis cauda, there were significant differences among regions of testis and epididymis caput, corpus(P < 0.01), and the difference among regions of epididymis corpus and epididymis cauda were also significant(P < 0.05). While the percentages of 2n and 4n cells decreased from (63.07 +/- 8.96)% and (9.43 +/- 3.83)% in tesits to (2.47 +/- 0.93)% and (1.17 +/- 0.95)% in epididymis respectively. There was significant difference of 2n cells between testis and epididymis caput, corpus(P < 0.01), and was also remarkable difference between epididymis corpus and cauda (P < 0.05). There was no difference of 4n cells between testis and epididymis caput(P > 0.05). There were significant difference among regions of epididymis caput, corpus and cauda(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe percentage of immature spermatogenic cells decreased along with passing through the epididymis.