Morphogenesis in the connection between the testis and epididymis in vertebrates

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16483
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 48010:Anatomy-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Omotehara Takuya 東京医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (40800545)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 精巣輸出管 / 中腎細管 / 中腎 / 三次元再構築 / 比較形態学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is suggested that the site of connection between the rete cells and the mesonephric duct in vertebrates has shifted during evolution from the opening of the mesonephric tubules on the surface of the mesonephros (nephrostome) to Bowman's capsule (tip of mesonephric tubules). Additionally, this study revealed that the lateral kidney canal, which has been thought not to form in mammals, occurs as a population of rete cells. The lateral kidney canal is suggested to be incorporated into the testis and differentiate into the postnatal rete testis.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

精子を運ぶ経路（精路）の構造は脊椎動物種によって大きく異なり，各動物種の繁殖環境に適応した構造となっていることが考えられる。本研究課題では，両生類・鳥類・哺乳類において精細管から精巣上体に至る経路の形成過程を解析し，脊椎動物における精路形成機構の進化の一端を明らかにした。これらの成果は今後の分子学的解析の基盤となり，脊椎動物における精路形成機構に関する進化学研究がさらに発展することが期待される。