Time-lapse imaging as a tool to investigate contractility of the epididymal duct--effects of cGMP signaling.

ABSTRACT: The well orchestrated function of epididymal smooth muscle cells ensures transit of spermatozoa through the epididymal duct during which spermatozoa acquire motility and fertilizing capacity. Relaxation of smooth muscle cells is mediated by cGMP signaling and components of this pathway are found within the male reproductive tract. Whereas contractile function of caudal parts of the rat epididymal duct can be examined in organ bath studies, caput and corpus regions are fragile and make it difficult to mount them in an organ bath. We developed an ex vivo time-lapse imaging-based approach to investigate the contractile pattern in these parts of the epididymal duct. Collagen-embedding allowed immobilization without impeding contractility or diffusion of drugs towards the duct and therefore fac

SUBMITTER: Mietens A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3963912 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature