Epididymis of the Indian wall lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis) during the sexual cycle and in response to mammalian pituitary gonadotropins and testosterone

The histology and histochemistry of the epididymis of the Indian wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Rüppell) was studied in normal and hormone‐treated males. The ductus epididymidis showed a considerable variation in epithelial cell height and lumenal diameter along its length. It can be divided approximately into anterior, middle, and posterior regions. Epithelial cell height was maximal in the middle region and minimal in the posterior region. The lumen of the ductus epididymidis increased markedly in diameter from anterior to posterior ends with a concomitant increase in the sperm density. During the breeding phase, epithelial cell height and lumenal diameter of both ductuli and ductus epididymidis become markedly enlarged. The epithelium of reproductively active ducts was filled with secretory granules. Both the secretory granules of the epithelium and the secretory material mixed with sperm in the lumen showed a positive reaction to Sudan Black‐B, indicating the presence of lipid. The relative effects of mammalian FSH and LH on the regressed epididymis revealed that only FSH was capable of stimulating the growth and secretory activity of the epididymis.