Fig 4.

EM of efferent ducts of WT type (C) and KO (A, B, D, E) mice. In (C), a few small dense lysosomes (arrows) appear in nonciliated (NC) and ciliated (Ci) cells. At the same time, KO mice reveal medium to large-sized pale stained and dense lysosomes supra and infranuclearly (A, B, D, E). In (B), a small portion of the initial segment (IS) is observed. Dilated intercellular spaces (stars) containing membranous profiles are evident at the base of the epithelium of KO mice (A, B, D, E). In (D), germ cells (GC) appear in the lumen. In (D, E), halo cells (HC) are seen at the base of the epithelium. BM, basement membrane; My, myoid cells; Lu, lumen; IT, intertubular space. Scale bars = 2 μm.