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PubMed1984

Anatomic distribution of lectin-binding sites in mouse testis and epididymis.

Testis and epididymis of sexually mature mice were studied histochemically using 25 fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled lectins. Several lectin-specific binding patterns were recognized. Thus, HAA, HPA, GSA-I, and UEA-II reacted only with spermatozoa. PNA, GSA-II, SBA, VVA, BPA, RCA-I, and RCA-II reacted with spermatozoa and spermatocytes. WGA, PEA, LCA, and MPA reacted with spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatozoa in increasing order of intensity. ConA, Suc. ConA, LAA, STA, LTA, LPA, PHA-E, PHA-L, UEA-I, and LBA reacted with all spermatogenic cells with equal intensity. In the epididymis, 12 lectins reacted uniformly with the epithelial cells lining all segments of this organ. One lectin (VVA) did not react with epididymal lining cells. The remaining 12 lectins reacted in a specific manner with portions of the head, body, or tail, thus selectively outlining different portions of the epididymis. RCA-I and RCA-II selectively accentuated the so-called halo cells of the epididymis. These findings provide a detailed map of lectin-binding sites in the mouse testis and epididymis and show that certain lectins can be used as specific markers for spermatogenic cells and segments of the epididymis.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of candidate markers for the peritubular myoid cell lineage in the developing mouse testis.

Despite the importance of peritubular myoid (PM) cells in the histogenesis of the fetal testis, understanding the origin and function of these cells has been hampered by the lack of suitable markers. The current study was aimed at identifying molecular markers for PM cells during the early stages of testis development in the mouse embryo. Expression of candidate marker genes was tested by section in situ hybridisation, in some instances followed by immunofluorescent detection of protein products. Collagen type-I, inhibinbetaA, caldesmon 1 and tropomyosin 1 were found to be expressed by early-stage PM cells. These markers were also expressed in subsets of interstitial cells, most likely reflecting their common embryological provenance from migrating mesonephric cells. Although not strictly specific for PM cells, these markers are likely to be useful in studying the biology of early PM cells in the fetal testis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mesenchymal cell precursors of peritubular smooth muscle cells of the mouse testis can be identified by the presence of the p75 neurotrophin receptor.

In the mouse embryo, at approximately 11.5 days postcoitum (dpc), cells migrate from the mesonephros into the developing testis to contribute to the somatic population of the interstitial compartment (i.e., peritubular myoid cells, Leydig cells, and endothelial cells). Studies from this laboratory have shown that the interstitial population of mesenchymal cells in fetal and newborn mouse testis express the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR, formerly known as the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor); part of the cell population progressively congregates around testis cords, later to be replaced by contractile peritubular myoid cells, which express smooth muscle cell markers. In the present study, we show that the migrating cells and the p75NTR-expressing cells are the same population. We also show that the neurotrophin receptor is a useful endogenous marker to follow cell migration within the urogenital ridge and to identify and isolate mesenchymal precursors of myoid cells. A time-course immunolocalization study of the location of p75NTR-bearing cells within the urogenital ridge of mouse embryos between 10.5 and 12.5 dpc showed that the interstitium of the fetal testis was progressively occupied by p75NTR+ cells. The progressive increase of p75NTR expression within the developing testis was confirmed by immunoblot analysis of proteins isolated from the fetal gonads. Organ cultures of isolated testes or testis-mesonephros grafts confirmed that p75NTR+ cells do not appear in the testis unless a mesonephros is attached to it. Cells bearing the p75NTR receptor, purified from 12.5-dpc male mouse mesonephroi by immunomagnetic sorting, were able to differentiate in vitro into myoid cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of postnatal testis sections confirmed the presence around the tubules of cells coexpressing p75NTR and alpha-smooth muscle actin. The ability to identify and purify precursors of myoid cells may be of considerable help for studying the mechanisms regulating their differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Molecular cloning and expression of the relaxin-like factor from the mouse testis.

A complementary DNA encoding the mouse homolog of the testicular relaxin-like factor was cloned from a subtractive complementary DNA library, comprising clones preferentially expressed in the testes of mutant w/wv mice. The predicted amino acid structure conforms with that for other members of the insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and relaxin hormone family, with A, B, and C (connecting) domains. Northern and in situ transcript hybridization showed that the gene is exclusively expressed at a high level in the Leydig cells of both mutant and wild type testes and is up-regulated at puberty. The level of the specific messenger RNA is such as to imply that this novel member of the insulin family represents a major secretory product of Leydig cells, with a potential to be a part of a novel systemic feedback loop to other organs, including the brain.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Molecular cloning and complete cDNA sequence of UBH1 in mouse testis.

We have identified a full-length mouse UBH1 cDNA, encoding a putative deubiquitinating enzyme, from the testis by RT-PCR using primers prepared from sequences conserved amongst deubiquitinating enzymes. Sequence analysis predicts that the UBH1 cDNA encodes a 355 amino acid polypeptide with the molecular weight of approximately 39 kDa containing the highly conserved Cys, Asp, and His domains characteristic of the ubiquitin-specific processing proteases. Biochemical assay revealed that the mouse UBH1 has deubiquitinating enzyme activity and sequence analysis showed 98.3% amino acid identity with human UBH1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Expression and functional characterization of the adhesion molecule spermatogenic immunoglobulin superfamily in the mouse testis.

Spermatogenic immunoglobulin superfamily (SgIGSF) is a mouse protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed in the spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules. We produced a specific polyclonal antibody against SgIGSF. Western blot analysis of the testes from postnatal developing mice using this antibody demonstrated multiple immunopositive bands of 80-130 kDa, which increased in number and size with the postnatal age. Enzymatic N-glycolysis caused reduction in the size of these bands to 70 kDa, indicating that SgIGSF is a glycoprotein and its glycosylation pattern and extent are developmentally regulated. Immunohistochemical analysis of the adult testis demonstrated that SgIGSF was present in the spermatogenic cells in the earlier steps of spermatogenesis and increased in amount from intermediate spermatogonia through zygotene spermatocytes but was diminished in the steps from early pachytene spermatocytes through round spermatids. After meiosis, SgIGSF reappeared in step 7 spermatids and was present in the elongating spermatids until spermiation. The immunoreactivity was localized primarily on the cell membrane. Consistent with the findings in adult testes, the analysis of the developing testes revealed that SgIGSF was expressed separately in the spermatogenic cells in earlier and later phases. Sertoli cells had no expression of SgIGSF, whereas both SgIGSF immunoprecipitated from the testis lysate and produced in COS-7 cells was shown to bind to the surface of Sertoli cells in primary culture. These results suggested that SgIGSF on the surface of spermatogenic cells binds to some membrane molecules on Sertoli cells in a heterophilic manner and thereby may play diverse roles in the spermatogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I and type VI isoforms in the mouse testis during development.

Six isoforms of the enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) have been identified in the mouse, each the product of a distinct gene. Two of these isoforms (type I and type VI) are detectable in the adult testis but changes in their expression during development are unknown. In this study we have examined changes in testicular expression and localization of mRNA encoding the type I and type VI isoforms of 3betaHSD. Total 3betaHSD (type I plus type VI) mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and showed a peak of expression at day 5 after birth followed by a decline and then a further rise after day 10 that continued up to adulthood. When each isoform was measured individually it was clear that the type I isoform was expressed at all ages from embryonic day 13 to adulthood. In contrast, the type VI isoform was only expressed at significant levels during fetal life on embryonic day 13 and then not again until after day 10 postnatally. Expression of the type VI isoform mRNA increased markedly after day 10 so that by adulthood it was the predominant 3betaHSD isoform present in the testis. Closer examination of the timing of type VI expression showed that the isoform mRNA was first detectable at a significant level on day 11. In-situ hybridization confirmed that the type I isoform is the only one expressed in the fetal/neonatal animal and showed that expression was limited to the interstitial tissue. In the adult, both type I and type VI expression was within the interstitial tissue. The timing of 3betaHSD type VI mRNA expression suggests, strongly, that this isoform is expressed only by adult-type Leydig cells in the mouse testis and that this development starts shortly before day 11. The limited expression of the type VI isoform means that it will be a useful marker in studies of adult Leydig cell development.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1982

ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins in mouse testis.

The nuclear acceptor proteins for poly(ADP-ribose) were investigated in mouse liver and testis. In liver, histones are ribosylated preferentially, whereas in testis the major acceptors are non-histone proteins. An analysis of the purified testicular acceptor proteins suggests that they are high- and low-mobility-group-like proteins.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2005

Novel scavenger receptor gene is differentially expressed in the embryonic and adult mouse testis.

In an effort to understand the mechanisms that underpin gonadal differentiation at the time of sex determination, we identified a cDNA encoding a putative novel testis expressed scavenger receptor, Tesr. Based on its domain structure, we hypothesize that the function of Tesr is similar to that of other scavenger receptors that play roles in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, cell-cell adhesion, and defense. Tesr mRNA was detected in fetal mouse gonads of both sexes at 11.5 days post coitum (dpc). From 12.0 dpc, Tesr expression rapidly decreased in the female and was maintained in the male. Expression was seen in embryonic mouse sites other than the testis, such as in brain, eye, head, heart, neural arch, and cartilage primordium. Tesr expression in the newborn testis was faint to undetectable, but it increased from 2 days postpartum (dpp) until 15 dpp and was found in a subset of interstitial cells and in germ and Sertoli cells. Tesr mRNA in the adult mouse testis was observed in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids, and in a subset of interstitial cells. We conclude that Tesr is differentially expressed in the male vs. female embryonic gonad and is expressed in both the ovary and the testes postnatally after 2 dpp.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Temporally controlled site-specific mutagenesis in the germ cell lineage of the mouse testis.

We have obtained a PrP-Cre-ER(T) transgenic mouse line (28.8) that selectively expresses in testis the tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ER(T) recombinase under the control of a mouse Prion protein (PrP) promoter-containing genomic fragment. Cre-ER(T) is expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, but not in Sertoli and Leydig cells. We also established reporter PrP-L-EGFP-L transgenic mice harboring a LoxP-flanked enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) Cre reporter cassette under the control of the same PrP promoter-containing genomic fragment that exhibits prominent EGFP expression in brain and testis. Using the PrP-L-EGFP-L as well as other Cre-reporter mice, we demonstrate that tamoxifen administration efficiently and selectively induces Cre-mediated recombination in the germ cell lineage. The established PrP-Cre-ER(T) line should provide a valuable tool for studying functions of germ cell-expressed genes involved in spermatogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Immunolocalization and regulation of cystatin 12 in mouse testis and epididymis.

In previous studies, we identified a new member of the male reproductive tract subgroup within family 2 cystatins, termed cystatin 12 (Cst12, previously known as Cst TE-1 or Cres3). The mouse Cst12 mRNA was primarily localized to the Sertoli cells in the testis and to the epithelial cells of the proximal caput region of the epididymis. In this report, studies were carried out to characterize the cystatin 12 (CST12) protein in mouse testis and epididymis. A recombinant His-CST12 fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and purified to generate an anti-CST12 polyclonal antibody. Western blot analysis showed little or no cross-reaction between the anti-CST12 antibody and several other known male reproductive tract cystatins. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CST12 protein was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium in a stage-dependent manner. All stages showed high levels of expression except stages VII and VIII, in which very limited expression of CST12 was observed. In the epididymis, CST12 was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in the proximal caput and secreted into the lumen. The mouse CST12 protein was also detected in other regions of the epididymis; however, the localization varied greatly along the epididymal tubules. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that CST12 protein was localized to the cytoplasmic droplets in both testicular and epididymal spermatozoa. These observations suggest that CST12 protein may play a specialized role during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that Cst12 transcript levels in the epididymis decreased after castration, and testosterone propionate (T) treatment further repressed the expression of this gene. However, 17-beta estradiol (E) administration maintained the expression of Cst12 mRNA after castration, whereas treatment with both T and E failed to maintain Cst12 mRNA levels in epididymis. These results suggest that androgen and estrogen, probably with other testicular factors, are involved in the regulation of this gene.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Demonstration of a stage-specific expression of the ZFY protein in fetal mouse testis using anti-peptide antibodies.

The zinc finger Y (Zfy) gene is located on the Y chromosome of all placental mammals. Although it is phylogenetically conserved and is expressed in mouse fetal testis, it is not the sex determining Y (Tdy) gene. To address the possible function of the Zfy gene in mice, the distribution of Zfy protein in fetal mice was investigated by immunocytochemical staining using several specific antisera against synthetic peptides of the mouse Zfy protein. Analysis of various fetal tissues at different embryonic stages demonstrated a specific staining only in fetal testis. In particular, reactive protein was initially observed in male fetal gonads at day 11.5 postcoitum (p.c.). The immuno-staining intensified in fetal testes at day 12 and 12.5 p.c., decreased drastically in those at day 13 and 14 p.c. and became undetectable in those at day 15 p.c. and beyond. The reactive molecules were distributed mostly within the seminiferous tubules of the embryonic testis. The present observations confirm the previous findings with RT-PCR analysis and indicate that Zfy or Zfy-like protein is expressed in stage-specific manner during early testis differentiation. Its location in the seminiferous tubules suggests a possible role in early germ cell development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Genetic effects of 1,3-butadiene on the mouse testis.

1,3-Butadiene is a known male mouse germ-cell mutagen, to which humans may either be occupationally or environmentally exposed. Prolonged exposure to moderate or high doses in male mice can cause dominant lethal mutations and one report has indicated that 10 week inhalation administration of low doses can result in the production of malformed foetuses. The present study had dual purposes: (a) to attempt to clarify the suspected ability of sub-chronic (6 h/day, 5 days/wk, 10 weeks) low-dose exposure to 1,3-butadiene to induce heritable mutations in mouse male germ cells: (b) investigation of the relationships between testicular DNA damage, testicular DNA repair and foetal outcome. Adult male mice were exposed to low or moderate doses of 1,3-butadiene by inhalation sub-chronically or for a single 6 h period and either used for mating (sub-chronic exposure only) or for studies of DNA damage and repair. Litter size, dominant lethality and numbers of abnormal foetuses were determined the day preceding the normal day of parturition. Testicular DNA damage and repair were assessed by the Comet assay (for DNA damage) and the unscheduled DNA synthesis assay (for DNA repair). 1,3-Butadiene caused a statistically significant increase in dominant lethality at 125 ppm but not 12.5 ppm. No significant increase in DNA repair was found with either dose level or exposure period while only 6 h exposure to 125 ppm caused a small but significant increase in DNA damage as detected by the Comet assay. These effects demonstrate the reproductive genotoxicity of (125 ppm) 1,3-butadiene but do not confirm its ability to cause abnormalities in the offspring via the sperm. It is suggested that the relationship between 1,3-butadiene-induced DNA damage, DNA repair and heritable defects in the offspring may depend on the pattern of metabolites produced.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Global transcriptome analysis of the C57BL/6J mouse testis by SAGE: evidence for nonrandom gene order.

BACKGROUND: We generated the gene expression profile of the total testis from the adult C57BL/6J male mice using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Two high-quality SAGE libraries containing a total of 76 854 tags were constructed. An extensive bioinformatic analysis and comparison of SAGE transcriptomes of the total testis, testicular somatic cells and other mouse tissues was performed and the theory of male-biased gene accumulation on the X chromosome was tested. RESULTS: We sorted out 829 genes predominantly expressed from the germinal part and 944 genes from the somatic part of the testis. The genes preferentially and specifically expressed in total testis and testicular somatic cells were identified by comparing the testis SAGE transcriptomes to the available transcriptomes of seven non-testis tissues. We uncovered chromosomal clusters of adjacent genes with preferential expression in total testis and testicular somatic cells by a genome-wide search and found that the clusters encompassed a significantly higher number of genes than expected by chance. We observed a significant 3.2-fold enrichment of the proportion of X-linked genes specific for testicular somatic cells, while the proportions of X-linked genes specific for total testis and for other tissues were comparable. In contrast to the tissue-specific genes, an under-representation of X-linked genes in the total testis transcriptome but not in the transcriptomes of testicular somatic cells and other tissues was detected. CONCLUSION: Our results provide new evidence in favor of the theory of male-biased genes accumulation on the X chromosome in testicular somatic cells and indicate the opposite action of the meiotic X-inactivation in testicular germ cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Comparison of androgen biosynthesis in isolated leydig cells from rat and mouse testis: incubation and superfusion studies.

Production of testosterone by highly purified Leydig cells prepared from rat and mouse testes is compared. Testosterone formation is improved to a higher degree in rat (2.7-fold) than in mouse (1.7-fold) cells by collagenase treatment of the testis compared with mechanical isolation. Mouse Leydig cells respond to exogenous stimuli (choriogonadotropin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP) with 2.4-fold higher testosterone secretion than rat cells. A 1.7-fold increased conversion of androgen precursors to testosterone by mouse compared with rat Leydig cells is demonstrated in static incubations as well as in steady-state superfusion experiments and can be derived from enhanced androstenedione reduction and a less inhibitory effect of progesterone on this process in mouse Leydig cells.

Androgens↗
PubMed1989

Long-term effects of triethylenemelamine exposure on mouse testis cells and sperm chromatin structure assayed by flow cytometry.

The toxic and potentially mutagenic actions of triethylenemelamine (TEM) on mouse body and testis weights, testicular cell kinetics, sperm production, sperm head morphology, and sperm chromatin structure were assessed in two experiments. The first experiment examined effects of four dose levels of TEM, assayed 1, 4, and 10 wk after toxic exposure. In the second study, effects from five dosage levels were measured at 1, 4, and 10 wk, and the highest dosage level was evaluated over 44 wk. TEM produced an expected dose related loss of spermatogenic activity and subsequent recovery as determined by dual-parameter (DNA, RNA) flow cytometry (FCM) measurements of testicular cells. Both testicular weights and caudal sperm reserves remained generally below controls after 44 wk recovery following exposure to the highest (1.0 mg/kg daily x 5) dosage. Chromatin structure alterations, defined as increased susceptibility to DNA denaturation in situ, and sperm head morphology were highly correlated (.87-.93, P less than .001) with dose and with each other. Data obtained from the sperm chromatin structure essay (SCSA) on fresh sperm was highly correlated with measurements of aliquots of the same sample collected over 44 wk, frozen, and then measured on the same day. Sperm head morphology and sperm chromatin structure remained abnormal at 44 wk for the 1.0 mg/kg TEM dosage, suggesting that the abnormalities, present long after the initial toxic response, may be a result of mutation. This study demonstrates that flow cytometry provides a unique, rapid, and efficient means to measure effects of reproductive toxins and potential mutagens.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Apoptosis in adult mouse testis induced by experimental cryptorchidism.

Induction of cryptorchidism in the mouse causes infertility due to disruption of spermatogenesis including reduction of germ cells; however, the cellular mechanism responsible for the degenerative changes in cryptorchid testis is still unclear. In surgically induced bilateral cryptorchidism of 3-month-old C57BL/Tw mice, cellular changes in the cryptorchid testis were studied 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after the operation by electron microscopy, DNA fragmentation, in situ 3'-end labeling, serum and testicular testosterone measurements and gene expression. Although the testis showed DNA fragmentation even in intact mice, the cryptorchidism increased the degree of the fragmentation at 1 postcryptorchidism (p.c.) day. Apoptosis was encountered mainly in spermatids and spermatocytes. The number of apoptotic cells in the cryptorchid testis showed a 7-fold increase at 1 p.c day as compared to the intact testis, then it gradually decreased. Serum testosterone levels showed a significant decrease at 2 p.c. days and remained low thereafter. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2), TGF-beta 3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor and Fas mRNAs increased in the cryptorchid testis within 24 h after the operation. In lpr(cg) and lpr mice lacking functional Fas, gld mice lacking functional Fas ligand and lpr(cg)-gld mice lacking both functional Fas and Fas ligand, the experimental cryptorchidism also induced apoptosis in germ cells at 1 p.c. day. The present results indicate that cryptorchidism induces apoptotic dell death in germ cells, and that testosterone reduction and the Fas system may not be significantly involved in the apoptosis of male germ cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Developmental expression of BMP4/ALK3/SMAD5 signaling pathway in the mouse testis: a potential role of BMP4 in spermatogonia differentiation.

It is well established that the c-kit gene plays an essential role in the proliferation of differentiating spermatogonia in prepuberal mice. However, the mechanisms that regulate the onset of spermatogenesis, i.e. differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells and c-kit expression, are poorly understood. Here we identify a novel signal transduction system in mouse prepuberal testis regulating this developmental event, involving bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and its transduction machinery. BMP4 is produced by Sertoli cells very early in the postnatal life and is successively down regulated in peri-puberal Sertoli cells. Its receptor Alk3 and the R-Smad Smad5 are specifically expressed both in proliferating primordial germ cells and in postnatal spermatogonia. BMP4 stimulation of cultured spermatogonia induces Smad4/5 nuclear translocation and the formation of a DNA-binding complex with the transcriptional coactivator p300/CBP. In vitro exposure of undifferentiated spermatogonia to BMP4 exerts both mitogenic and differentiative effects, inducing [3H]thymidine incorporation and Kit expression. As a result of the latter event, Kit-negative spermatogonia acquire sensitivity to Stem Cell Factor.

Acetyltransferases↗