OCCURRENCE OF AMPULLA IN THE DUCTUS DEFERENS OF THE INDIAN GARDEN LIZARD CALOTES-VERSICOLOR DAUDIN

During the breeding season, the terminal end of the ductus deferens of Calotes versicolor appears swollen and is comparable to the ampulla of the mammalian ductus deferens. Its anatomy was studied from paraffin sections. It differentiates along its length into five zones. The first has thick smooth muscle and pseudostratified epithelium; the second has luminal trabeculae with an epithelium showing evidence of secretory activity; the third has the epithelial mucosa abutting against the smooth muscle in the form of pocket-like indentations; the fourth has crypts between epithelial folds; and the fifth zone is a sphincter. The anatomy of this ampullary region is indicative of secretory as well as spermatophagous roles. It undergoes seasonal change and appears to be androgen-dependent. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.