Figure 5

Tubuli seminiferi (A, B) and ductuli epididymidis (C) of wild-type and Cx43^26/26 mice (D-F). Testes of wild-type males revealed densely packed tubuli seminiferi with intact spermatogenensis and ductuli epididymis filled with mature sperms. In Cx43^26/26 mice, the seminiferous tubules demonstrated absence of mature sperms but a germinal epithelium. The loss of spermiogenesis was indicated by an empty epididymis with less densely packed tubules. Like in controls (B) immunolabeling of the testosterone receptor revealed the presence of Sertoli (arrows) and Leydig cells in testes of Cx43^26/26 mice (E). Primary spermatogonia and spermatocytes type 1 (arrowhead) were present but there was no complete spermatogenesis (E). L, Leydig cells.