Macrophages and the immune responsiveness of the testis

MP Hedger - Journal of reproductive immunology, 2002 - Elsevier
Immune responses within the testis are regulated in a manner that provides protection for
the developing male germ cells, while permitting qualitatively normal inflammatory
responses and protection against infection. The large population of resident-type
macrophages in the testis is strongly implicated in mediating this specialised immunological
environment. Several studies in the rat have shown that testicular macrophages retain their
cytotoxic and phagocytic capacity, but have greatly diminished pro-inflammatory function …