by Ka-bik Lai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-67). / Chapter Chapter I --- Introduction / Chapter I.1 --- Anatomy and functions of the epididym --- p.is / Chapter I.1.1 --- Gross anatomy and functions --- p.1 / Chapter I.1.2 --- Histology of the epithelium and functions of different cell types --- p.3 / Chapter I.2 --- Regional difference / Chapter I.2.1 --- Epithelium --- p.4 / Chapter I.2.2 --- Electrolyte transport --- p.6 / Chapter I.3 --- Short circuit current studies on C1- secretion in the cultured rat epididymal epithelium --- p.7 / Chapter I.4 --- Physiological effects of vasopressin in the epididymis and the male reproductive tract --- p.10 / Chapter I.5 --- Objectives of the study --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter II --- Materials and methods / Chapter II. 1 --- Materials / Chapter II.1.1 --- Chemicals for cell culture --- p.16 / Chapter II. 1.2 --- Chemicals and drugs for short circuit current study --- p.16 / Chapter II. 1.3 --- Materials for preparing pervious supports --- p.16 / Chapter II.2 --- Preparation of solution for short circuit current study --- p.17 / Chapter II.3 --- Preparation of pervious supports for the cultured epithelium --- p.17 / Chapter II.4 --- Culture of rat epididymal epithelial cells / Chapter II.4.1 --- "Dissection of the efferent duct, the initial segment and the cauda epididymidis" --- p.17 / Chapter II.4.2 --- Culture procedures for the epithelium --- p.19 / Chapter II.4.3 --- Confluent epithelial monolayer --- p.22 / Chapter II.5 --- Short circuit current measurement / Chapter II.5.1 --- Mounting of cultured epithelium on Ussing chambers --- p.22 / Chapter II.5.2 --- Experimental setup for zero voltage clamp --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter III --- Results / Chapter III.1 --- Regional differences / Chapter III.1.1 --- Basal bioelectrical properties --- p.29 / Chapter III. 1.2 --- Effects of C1- replacement and C1- channel blocker --- p.29 / Chapter III.1.3 --- Effects of ion transportor inhibitors --- p.33 / Chapter III. 1.4 --- Effect of adenylate cyclase stimulator --- p.33 / Chapter III.1.5 --- Effect of exogenous PGE2 --- p.33 / Chapter III.1.6 --- Effect of Ca2+ ionophore --- p.36 / Chapter III.2 --- Effect of [arg8]-vasopressin / Chapter III.2.1 --- Effect of [arg8] -vasopressin on short circuit current --- p.36 / Chapter III.2.2 --- Effects of C1- replacement and C1- channel blocker --- p.40 / Chapter III.2.3 --- Effect of repeated stimulation with [arg8]- vasopressin --- p.40 / Chapter III.2.4 --- Effects of receptor antagonists --- p.40 / Chapter III.2.5 --- Effects of thapsigargin and trifluoperazine --- p.44 / Chapter III.2.6 --- Effects of indomethacin --- p.44 / Chapter III.2.7 --- Effects of forskolin --- p.47 / Chapter Chapter IV --- Discussion --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter V --- References --- p.59