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Biomedical subjects

W E Stumpf

Publications and source records attributed to W E Stumpf.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Ovarian steroids and sexual interaction alter oxytocinergic content and distribution in the basal forebrain.

The immunoreactive levels of oxytocin (OXY) were assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunohistology after treatments with estradiol or estradiol and progesterone in ovariectomized rats that were mounted or not mounted by males. In micropunches from the medial preoptic area (MPOA) OXY immunoreactive levels increased significantly in estrogen-progesterone-treated receptive animals (mean lordosis quotient (LQ) = 82.9 +/- 4.4) that were mounted by males over levels in estrogen-treated unreceptive animals (mean LQ = 2.3 +/- 1.3). No other areas demonstrated significant changes in OXY levels across these treatments, although the paraventricular nucleus also had elevated OXY levels in receptive mounted females. In other animals, immunocytochemistry revealed that the number of oxytocinergic perikarya in the MPOA decreased in receptive animals (LQ = 86.7 +/- 4.9) that were mounted. The number of oxytocinergic perikarya per 50 microns vibratome section in the lateral subcommissural nucleus was lower in all estrogen-treated groups than in oil vehicle-treated controls. We suggest that the combination of increasing immunoreactive levels of OXY in the MPOA with decreasing numbers of oxytocinergic perikarya indicates that preoptic OXY is moved out of cell bodies, in receptive rats that are mounted by males, to a state that is more accessible to the RIA.

Animals↗

Androgen receptor-deficient Tfm cells in the mosaic epididymis of sex-reversed mice heterozygous for Tfm: an autoradiographic study with [3H]-dihydrotestosterone and [3H]-estradiol.

Testicular feminization (Tfm) in the mouse is characterized by androgen insensitivity of the target cells. We describe the presence of androgen-insensitive Tfm cells in the epididymis of mosaic mice produced by converting female carriers of the Tfm mutation (XTfm/X+) to males via the sex reversal factor (Sxr). The mosaic arises by random X-inactivation. In the epididymal duct, flat undifferentiated Tfm cells are interspersed between high columnar wild-type cells. By thaw-mount autoradiography we show that after injection of [3H]dihydrotestosterone, radioactivity is concentrated in the nuclei of high columnar wild-type cells, whereas the nuclei of the low cuboid Tfm cells remain free of nuclear radioactivity. After injection of [3H]estradiol, both Tfm and wild-type cells show nuclear labeling. Our observations demonstrate that Tfm cells in the mosaic epididymis selectively lack nuclear dihydrotestosterone-binding sites, whereas estradiol-binding sites are intact.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗

Intersex mice composed of androgen insensitive Tfm and wild-type cells analysed by 3H dihydrotestosterone autoradiography.

The X-linked testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) in the mouse is characterized by an androgen receptor defect. Due to random X-chromosome inactivation, XTfm/X+ heterozygotes are mosaics with respect to Tfm. They are composed of androgen receptor deficient XTfm cells and normal X+ wild-type cells. If Tfm heterozygotes are converted to XX males by the sex reversal factor (Sxr) the mosaicism is expressed. Therefore in sex reversed Tfm heterozygotes (XTfm/X+-Sxr) intersexual sex organs develop. In five intersexes with small male accessory glands and hypospadia and one heavily feminized intersex with vagina and caudally dislocated deferent ducts the mosaic is visualized by 3H-DHT-autoradiography. In the epididymis differentiated wild-type cells show nuclear labeling, whereas undifferentiated Tfm cells are unlabeled. Unlabeled Tfm cells are also encountered in the vesicular glands of the heavily feminized animal, demonstrating that Tfm cells can participate in the formation of male sex glands. The urethral glands of the mosaic animals are composed of unlabeled Tfm lobules exhibiting the female phenotype of the glands, and of labeled wild-type lobules exhibiting the male phenotype. Formation of a vagina and deviation of the deferent ducts is correlated with lack of androgen binding sites in the connective tissue.

Androgens↗

Topography of basal glucose utilization in rat thalamus and hypothalamus determined with (1-14C)-glucose.

High resolution autoradiography was used to study the basal pattern of glucose-utilization in the rat thalamus and hypothalamus. Rats were injected via chronic jugular catheter with (1-14C)-glucose and sacrificed 30 min later. The high resolution thaw-mount autoradiographic procedure, using 4 micron frozen sections and nuclear emulsion, permitted discrimination of regional variations in glucose-utilization that have not yet been described. Quantitative data were obtained by means of digital image analysis and computerized densitometry. In the thalamus, high activity was present in the anterodorsal, anteroventral, laterodorsal and reticular nuclei, while low activity was found in the mediodorsal and paraventricular nuclei. The autoradiographic pattern of glucose utilization in the thalamus corresponds largely to classical cytoarchitectonic subdivisions. In the hypothalamus, the median eminence, arcuate nucleus, and periventricular nucleus showed the lowest activity, whereas certain parts of the lateral hypothalamus appeared high. Very high activity was present in mammillary nuclei. The described detailed anatomical data of glucose-utilization may provide insights into the functional circuitry of thalamic and hypothalamic systems and serve as a baseline from which experimental manipulations can be assessed.

Animals↗

1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 sites of action in spinal cord and sensory ganglion.

Autoradiographic studies revealed concentration of 3H 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in nuclei of certain neurons in the spinal cord of adult and neonatal mice, fed a normal or a vitamin D deficient diet. Nuclear uptake and retention was strongest in motor neurons in lamina IX. Nuclear concentration also existed in neurons of lamina II, lamina VIII, lamina X and intermediate nucleus of the lateral column. The results indicate that these neurons are target neurons which contain nuclear receptors for 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. This suggests that 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 has direct genomic actions on the innervation of skeletal muscle by exerting related trophic, secretory, and electrophysiological effects. In addition, these data point to direct genomic actions of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 on spinal sensory perception, and on certain autonomic functions. Nuclear binding in certain neurons in the peripheral ganglion of the trigeminal nerve further suggests that sensory perception is influenced by 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 not only at the level of the substantia gelatinosa, but also at the level of spinal ganglia.

Animals↗

The endocrinology of sunlight and darkness. Complementary roles of vitamin D and pineal hormones.

Information from autoradiographic studies and follow-up indicates that 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (soltriol) is a somatotrophic activator and modulator, regulated by the amount of sunshine and the endocrine status of the individual, with the purpose of promoting development, reproduction, and maintenance of life. Regulation of calcium homeostasis is only one of its many functions. A close link to the pineal hormone system is apparent. Evidence supports the new concept that the skin-derived hormone of sunlight and the pineal hormone(s) of darkness are messengers with comprehensive actions on endocrine, autonomic, sensory, skeletal, and motor functions. In a complementary fashion, both hormone systems appear to correlate biological activities with the daily and seasonal changes of our solar environment.

Animals↗

Pyloric gastrin-producing cells and pyloric sphincter muscle cells are nuclear targets for 3H 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. Studied by autoradiography and immunohistochemistry.

Autoradiographic studies were conducted to identify and characterize target cells for 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in the pyloric region of rats and mice. After injection of 3H 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, nuclear concentration of radioactivity was observed in nuclei of duodenal epithelium and certain cells of pyloric glands, while most of the epithelial cells in the pyloric and gastric glands did not show nuclear labeling. In combined immunohistochemical studies, cells in the pyloric glands that showed nuclear concentration of radioactivity, were stained in their cytoplasm with antibodies to gastrin. Also, cells of the pyloric sphincter muscle showed nuclear labeling, in contrast to cells of the duodenal muscularis, which remained unlabeled under the conditions of the experiments. The results indicate that the cells with nuclear radioactivity contain receptors for 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and suggest that gastrin secretion and pyloric muscle functions are regulated by a direct action of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 on these cells.

Animals↗

Vitamin D--soltriol the heliogenic steroid hormone: somatotrophic activator and modulator. Discoveries from histochemical studies lead to new concepts.

Evidence from autoradiographic studies with 3H 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (soltriol) about its many sites of nuclear binding and multiple actions suggests that the traditional view of "vitamin D and calcium" is too limited and requires modification. A new concept has been developed which proposes that the skin-derived hormone of sunshine, soltriol, is a somatotrophic activator and modulator that affects all vital systems. Regulation of calcium homeostasis is only one of its many actions. Target tissues for soltriol include not only bone, intestine and kidney, but also brain, spinal cord, pituitary, thyroid, endocrine pancreas, adrenal medulla, enteroendocrine cells, thymus, and male and female reproductive organs. Accordingly, actions of soltriol involve effects on autonomic and endocrine regulation with changes in tissue and blood hormone levels, innervation of skeletal muscle, immune and stress response, digestion, blood formation, fertility, pregnancy and lactation, general energy metabolism, mental processes and mood, and others. The skin-mediated transduction of short-wave sunlight induces a purposeful modulation of growth, reproduction and other biological activities in tune with the conditions of the sun cycle and season. Synthesis and actions of vitamin D3-soltriol are dependent not only on the amount of sunlight, but also on the availability of precursor in the skin and access of sunlight, the rate of hydroxylation in liver and kidney, and the modulation of these events by the endocrine status, in particular growth and reproduction. A concept of a five-level control of soltriol synthesis is proposed, in which the hydroxylation steps provide for a sensitive tuning. Relationships between the heliogenic skin-derived hormonal system and the helioprivic pineal-derived hormonal system are recognized and a comprehensive concept of the "endocrinology of sunlight and darkness" is pointed out.

Calcitriol↗

A histochemical study of the regional distribution in the rat brain of enzymatic activity hydrolyzing glucose- and 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate.

A modified Wachstein-Meisel lead salt method using glucose-6-phosphate or 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate as substrates was employed at the light microscopic level to map the rat brain for glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase). As has been described, most of the activity of the enzyme resided in neuronal cell bodies and dendritic stems. No differences were found between the results obtained with the two substrates. Two categories of brain structures with heavy and with moderate staining could be distinguished while the majority of brain regions contained only barely discernible neurons. Structures displaying very high enzyme activity included nuclei of cranial nerves, nuclei of the reticular formation, Purkinje cells, and some parts of the limbic system, e.g., CA 3 and CA 4 pyramidal fields of the hippocampus. It is pointed out that accurate biochemical determinations of G-6-Pase activity will critically depend on painstaking microdissection of nuclei and cell layers. The histochemical results may be pertinent to the interpretation of the 2-deoxyglucose method for assessment of regional glucose utilization rates in brain. The present observations make it unlikely that regional variations in G-6-Pase activity account for differences in uptake and retention of radioactivity from (1-14C)glucose and (14C)2-deoxyglucose reported previously by our group.

Animals↗

Sites of action of gossypol studied by autoradiography and enzyme histochemistry.

The distribution of 14C-gossypol acetate was studied by autoradiography in male rats after intraperitoneal or intratesticular injection. Accumulation of radioactivity was found in testis, kidney and liver, while there was little in brain, pituitary and epididymis. In testis, high accumulation occurred in interstitial cells, with low levels in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. In addition, the chronic effect of gossypol was assessed by enzyme histochemistry with thiamine pyrophosphate, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, and by lipid stain. In the treated animals an increased number of luminal exfoliated cells (Sertoli cells, germ cells and spermatids) was noted, which showed positive reactions. The results suggest both direct and indirect effects of gossypol on testicular functions.

Animals↗

Binding of estrogen and antiestrogen in uterine cell nuclei: in vivo autoradiographic studies.

The in vivo binding of antiestrogen in nuclei within the uterine stromal, epithelial and myometrial tissue compartments was compared to that of estrogen 2-48 h after injection. Tissue binding and retention of radioactivity was also studied. Immature rats were injected s.c. with 0.36 microgram [3H]hydroxytamoxifen [( 3H]TAM(OH] or 0.24 microgram [3H]estradiol [( 3H]E2) in oil. At 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after injection, uteri were processed for thaw-mount autoradiography and, along with other tissues, for liquid scintillation counting. After [3H]TAM(OH) injection total radioactivity in uterus, cervix, vagina and liver reached peak levels by 8 h then decreased slowly so that by 48 h radioactivity still remained in the tissues. At all time intervals, the levels of radioactivity in heart and muscle remained low. After [3H]E2 injection radioactivity in uterus, cervix and vagina reached peak levels between 2 and 4 h then decreased rapidly so that by 12 h radioactivity was low and essentially the same as in liver, heart and muscle. These results were paralleled by the time course of nuclear binding of [3H]TAM(OH) and [3H]E2 in the uterine cell types: peak levels occurred at 8 h and 4 h, respectively. Nuclear binding was still present 48 h after [3H]TAM(OH) injection but was absent by 24 h after [3H]E2 injection. Different uterine cell types bound different amounts of both the drug and the hormone. After [3H]TAM(OH) injection the decreasing order of labeling intensity in the tissue compartments was stroma, myometrium, epithelium; in contrast, that after [3H]E2 injection was stroma, epithelium, myometrium. The results indicate that the dissimilar nuclear binding kinetics of estrogen and antiestrogen are influenced by the pharmacokinetics but the uterine cell types may also influence binding kinetics.

Animals↗

Estradiol influences oxytocin-immunoreactive brain systems.

The rat brain was examined immunocytochemically for estrogen-dependent changes of oxytocin immunoreactivity at the light microscopical level. Ovariectomized rats were treated with subcutaneous silastic implants with estradiol, or empty implants as controls for 2 days (short term treatment). Another group of rats was injected weekly for 2 months with 1 mg estradiol (long term, high dose treatment). After perfusion fixation serial Vibratome sections were stained with antibodies to oxytocin. In control animals, oxytocin immunoreactive perikarya were found in the magnocellular hypothalamic nuclei. Accessory oxytocin neurons appeared in various hypothalamic sites: immunostained neuronal processes were visible in the preoptic region, the lateral septum, the ventromedial hypothalamus and the median eminence. In short term estradiol treated animals, additional immunoreactive perikarya could be observed in the septohypothalamic nucleus, the lateral subcommissural area, the medial preoptic area, the perifornical region, the zona incerta and the ansa lenticularis. An increased number of immunostained fibers was found in the lateral septum, the preoptic region, the striatum and the amygdala. Animals treated with high doses of estradiol for 2 months showed oxytocin immunostaining only in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and in the median eminence. The distribution of oxytocin immunoreactive neurons in the magnocellular nuclei did not change with changing estradiol levels. Physiological amounts of estrogen given for 2 days increased the number of oxytocinergic neurons visible outside the classical magnocellular nuclei while prolonged, high dose estrogen treatment diminished immunostaining in these oxytocinergic systems.

Animals↗

Topography of basal glucose utilization in the hippocampus determined with [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose.

The activity of the pentose phosphate shunt was assessed under basal conditions in subregions of the hippocampus by measuring the uptake and retention of [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose and their 14C-labelled metabolites. The relative and absolute retention of carbon-14 from each of the two compounds was nearly identical in all regions examined. For each compound, the highest accumulation of 14C occurred in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus and in the pyramidal cell layer. Relatively high retention of radioactivity was also found in the molecular layer of dentate gyrus and in the stratum lacunosum-molecular. The stratum radiatum and stratum oriens contained the lowest levels of radioactivity among hippocampal regions. The equal retention of radioactivity from [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose implies that pentose phosphate shunt activity is very low throughout the hippocampus under the conditions of this study. The uptake and retention of radioactivity was evaluated in different hippocampal regions 10 or 30 min following intravenous injection of [1-14C]glucose. Although there was significantly more radioactivity at 30 min than at 10 min, the same topographic pattern of radioactivity within the hippocampus was observed in rats after both survival periods, indicating that an equal fraction of the [1-14C]glucose utilized in different hippocampal regions is oxidized to 14CO2 under these conditions. Most regions of high glucose utilization in the hippocampus determined with [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose correspond to regions of intense histochemical staining for cytochrome oxidase reported in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Differential induction of progestin-binding sites in uterine cell types by estrogen and antiestrogen.

Effects of antiestrogen on progestin binding in uterine cell types were determined and compared to those of estrogen. Effects on uterine morphology were also studied. Immature rats were treated with four daily sc injections of 100 micrograms hydroxytamoxifen [TAM(OH)], 5 micrograms estradiol (E2), or oil. On day 5 the rats were injected iv with 1 microgram of the synthetic progestin [3H]Org 2058, and 1 h later uteri were excised, weighed, and processed for thaw-mount autoradiography. Treatment with TAM(OH) or E2 resulted in uterine weight gain, which was greater in animals treated with E2. E2 treatment resulted in cellular hypertrophy in all tissue compartments, especially in the luminal epithelium and myometrium, but TAM(OH) treatment resulted in hypertrophy of only the luminal epithelium. Treatment with TAM(OH) or E2 changed the pattern and intensity of nuclear binding of [3H]Org 2058 from that in oil-treated controls. E2 increased progestin binding in stroma and myometrium and decreased it in luminal epithelium. TAM(OH), similarly, decreased progestin binding in the luminal epithelium and increased it, albeit less than E2, in the myometrium, but left it unchanged in the stroma. The results indicate that E2 and TAM(OH) differentially effect progestin binding among the uterine tissue compartments.

Animals↗

The distribution of progesterone receptor in the 20-day-old fetal mouse: an autoradiographic study with [125I]progestin.

The distribution of progestin target sites in 20-day-old fetuses of estrogen-primed pregnant mice was investigated by thaw-mount autoradiography. Pregnant mice received a Silastic estradiol implant on day 17 and were ovariectomized on day 19 of pregnancy. Twenty-four hours after ovariectomy 10 prematurely delivered fetuses were each injected with 0.33 microgram/100 g BW [125I]progestin (SA, 2200 Ci/mM). To show specificity of progestin localization two additional fetuses were each injected sc with 20 micrograms R5020, a synthetic progestin, 1 h before the injection of [125I]progestin. The fetuses were frozen 2 h after injection of [125I]progestin, sectioned, and processed for thaw-mount autoradiography. Cells with nuclear uptake and retention of radioactivity were observed in numerous tissues, including certain regions of the oral mucosa and developing teeth, esophagus, larynx, skin, mammary gland, skeletal muscle, kidney, and reproductive glands and ducts. Injection of unlabeled R5020 1 h before [125I]progestin prevented nuclear concentration of radioactivity in all target tissues. The results indicate that progesterone receptors are expressed with a regional, cellular, and subcellular distribution in term fetal mouse tissues and suggest that progesterone is important to the growth and development of certain fetal tissues.

Affinity Labels↗

Cerebral metabolic mapping at the cellular level with dry-mount autoradiography of [3H]2-deoxyglucose.

The uptake and retention of radioactivity from [3H]2-deoxyglucose [( 3H]2-DG) was assessed in certain regions of the rat brain under basal conditions using dry-mount autoradiography, a procedure which affords the best available conditions to accurately localize diffusable radiolabeled compounds at cellular and subcellular levels. The overall amount of radioactivity accumulated in neuropil and in neuronal cell bodies was similar in most brain regions examined. Of the regions assessed, the CA3 pyramidal cell field of the hippocampus was the only region in which the radioactivity in cell bodies was notably greater than that of neuropil. In the somatosensory cortex and in the lateral hypothalamus, a wide range of radioactivity was found among individual neurons and among different areas of neuropil. In all brain regions examined, a subpopulation of small cells, with morphological characteristics of glial cells, accumulated [3H]2-DG to a much greater extent than other glial cells or neurons. That finding suggests that certain glial cells are in a markedly higher metabolic state than other brain cells.

Animals↗

Androgen receptors detected by autoradiography in prostatic carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplastic tissue.

Androgen receptor (AR) content in prostatic tissues from patients with either cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is of interest from at least two standpoints: receptors may be a feature of the pathogenesis of these conditions, and they may be important to the management and prognosis of prostatic cancer patients. For these reasons, a quantitative autoradiographic assay for AR content in prostatic tissues has been developed. Application of autoradiography to rodent tissues yielded results that were highly correlated with those from biochemical assays. Thus, the autoradiographic analyses with human tissues reported in this paper were undertaken. Average AR content in 22 prostatic carcinomas was lower than that in tissues from 14 patients with BPH; the median values of the affinity index, the quantitative estimate of receptor content, were 7.0 and 12.0, respectively. For the cancer tissues, a trend of declining receptor content with advancing stage of disease appeared but was not statistically significant. No association between receptor content and degree of tumor aggressiveness as measured by Gleason score and MD Anderson score was evident. Patient age and race were not related to receptor content in either type of tissue.

Aged↗

Serum hormone levels among patients with prostatic carcinoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia and clinic controls.

This study sought to identify differences in serum hormone levels between prostatic cancer (CaP) patients, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, and clinic controls (CC). Serum testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin values were obtained from 35 CaP, 42 BPH, and 161 CC patients attending a single medical center between January 1984 and April 1985. Relative risk estimates adjusted for age and race were calculated to compare hormone values between each case group and the CC. The distributions of hormone values and the testosterone to estradiol (T/E) ratios were grouped into thirds with the lowest third forming the reference category. The relative risk estimates for BPH in the middle and high thirds of testosterone were greater than unity (1.26 and 2.10, respectively), whereas the relative risk estimates in the middle and high thirds of estradiol were less than unity (0.63 and 0.35, respectively). For the middle and high thirds of the T/E ratio, the relative risk estimates for BPH showed statistically significant three- to fourfold increases. Modest depression of serum testosterone and estradiol was noted for CaP patients compared to CC, although the differences were not statistically significant. This depression was interpreted to be a likely result of the malignant process rather than a cause of it, whereas the development of clinically evident BPH was felt to be a biologically plausible response to an elevated T/E ratio.

Age Factors↗