Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) of the Rete Testis in the Monkey

The present report shows the topography of the rete testis in normal and ductuli efferentes ligated monkeys. The epithelium of the rete testis has been studied by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It shows two main surfaces. One covering the main cavity is rather flat with microvilli and ill‐defined cellular limits. The other surface is found close to the opening of ductuli efferentes and shows bulging cupola‐like cells with better defined limits, microvilli and blebs. Both zones have cells with one cilium. Many of the cupola‐like cells show the presence of phagocytized spermatozoa in different stages of digestion. Phagocytic activity appears to be more pronounced in the ligated animals.