An exploration of the electrophysiological properties and ion transport across the isolated perfused seminiferous tubule of the rat
Abstract
A knowledge ofthe transport of ions is fundamental to the understanding ofthe 'bloodtestis'
barrier and the transport of fluid across the seminiferous tubule. This is the first
study that has investigated the isolated perfused. the seminiferous tubule of the rat to
measure the transepithelial potential (Vt) according to the technique of Burg, et. al. (1966). It has simultaneously used cable analysis to determine the transepithelial resistance. In an attempt to find additional confirmation of Vt measured via the perfusion technique, further two techniques, the 'oil-gap' technique (O'Donnell and Maddrell, 1984) as well as with the 'agar probe' technique developed during the current study, were used to record Vt.