Effects of Estrogen Treatment on Aging in the Rat Epididymis

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that estrogen signaling in the testis contributes to maintaining spermatogenesis in adult rats, and that estrogen treatment attenuated the age-associated decline in sperm production. The purpose of this study was to determine if epididymal function is also altered with age, and what effects estrogen treatment may have on the epididymis during aging. We compared untreated rats at 3 and 15 months of age to 18-month-old vehicle-treated and estrogen treated rats. In all four groups, tubule and lumen diameter of the cauda was significantly larger than more proximal regions of the epididymis. In the 3-, 15-, and 18-month-old treated animals, the epithelial cell height of the cauda was significantly shorter than that of more proximal regions. The caput cell height was shorter at 18 months compared to 3 months but this was not seen in estrogen treated animals. Thus, estrogen appears able to prevent some age related changes in epididymal morphology. Sperm transit time through the distal cauda was significantly delayed with aging. Estrogen treatment prevented this delay, indicating that sperm transit through the epididymis is an estrogen regulated function. Differences in estradiol and testosterone concentrations were observed between 3- and 15-month-old animals, but no further differences were noted between treated or untreated animals at 18 months. Interestingly, expression of androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha were similar between ages and treatments. Collectively, these results suggest epididymal morphology and function are affected by aging and estrogen treatment. Anat Rec, 302:1447-1457, 2019. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.