Fluid reabsorption by the ductuli efferentes testis of the rat is dependent on both sodium and chlorine.

The role of Na(+) and Cl(-) in fluid reabsorption by the efferent ducts was examined by perfusing individual ducts in vivo with preparations of 160 mM NaCl in which the ions were replaced, together or individually, with organic solutes while maintaining the osmolality at 300 mmol/kg. Progressively replacing NaCl with mannitol reduced net reabsorption of water and the ions in a concentration-dependent manner, and caused net movement into the lumen at concentrations of NaCl less than 80 mM. The net rates of flux were lower for Na(+) than for Cl(-).

Rabbit epididymal secretory proteins. I. Characterization and hormonal regulation.

Analyses of samples of luminal fluid from the rete testis, distal efferent ducts, and epididymal regions 2-5 and 8 revealed that 91% of the fluid leaving the testis is reabsorbed by the efferent ducts, 79% of the remainder is reabsorbed proximal to epididymal regions 4 and 5, and there is a net secretion of fluid into the duct caudally. There is a net reabsorption by the efferent ducts of 73% of the protein leaving the testis and then a net secretion along the epididymis. SDS-PAGE of the luminal fluids indicated that four new protein bands that were not present in blood appeared in the efferent ducts, 5 in epididymal regions 1-5, 6 in regions 6 and 7, and one in region 8.