Sperm duct

Figure 4.4 Effects of life-long exposure of zebrafish to 5 ng ethinylestradiol/L on the development of gonads, (a) Persisting juvenile undifferentiated gonads in a presumptive male zebrafish. (b) Shows intersex zebrafish with one ovary and one testis, (c) Shows intersex zebrafish with two testes and a smaller juvenile tissue, (d) Shows a ciliated sperm duct in testis of a mature male. (Adapted fi om Nash et al., 2004.)...

In a rabbit study, hydroquinone at 150 mg kg day produced minimal developmental alterations in the presence of maternal toxicity. The no-observed-effect level for developmental toxicity was 75mgkg day In rat studies, maternal toxic effects from exposure to hydroquinone included changes in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and menstrual cycle. Postimplantation mortality was also observed in rat studies. Observed paternal toxic effects from exposure to hydroquinone included changes in the testes, epididymis, sperm duct, prostate, seminal vesicle, Cowper s gland, accessory glands, and male fertility index. Further, exposure to hydroquinone produced skeletal malformations in chickens and ocular and skeletal malformations in rabbits. Hydroquinone can induce renal tubule adenomas, bladder carcinomas, hepatocellular neoplasms, and mononuclear cell leukemia in experimental animals. 

Ethylene oxide is a teratogen, causing birth defects. Laboratory tests on animals indicated that exposure could cause fetal deaths, specific developmental abnormahties, and paternal effects related to testes and sperm ducts. 

Dulka, J. G, and Demski, L. S., 1982, Sperm duct contractions correlated with sperm release evoked by brain stimulation in goldfish. Am. Zool., 22 887. 

Adults should be kept in seawater aquaria (12-18°C or temperature at collection site), in constant dark or constant illumination to prevent spontaneous spawning. Select several mature adults these can be recognized by the white sperm duct visible through the body wall. The yellow or brown oviduct is also sometimes visible. Using sharp scissors, cut the test and body wall open longitudinally. The white sperm duct is usually obvious in mature animals the oviduct, which hes parallel, is sometimes less clear. A dissecting microscope is sometimes reqnired to see eggs within the oviduct. 

Now cut through the sperm duct and squeeze out sperm in a similar manner. Transfer sperm to a separate Petri dish, before it becomes dilute. 

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