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PubMed1990

Indium 111 white blood cell imaging of epididymitis.

The clinical diagnosis of epididymitis is frequently substantiated radiographically with pertechnetate 99m (99mTc) testicular scintigraphy and scrotal sonography. Indium 111 (111In) autologous leukocyte imaging in a patient with epididymitis has to our knowledge not been reported previously. The case presented is an elderly man with epididymitis. An 111In-labelled white blood cell scan demonstrated increased tracer accumulation in the region of the right epididymis. This suggests that 111In-labelled leukocyte scanning may be helpful in evaluating an inflammatory process involving the epididymis or testis and potentially may allow for differentiation of epididymitis and orchitis from missed torsion, tumour or cystic lesions.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1995

Epididymal histoplasmosis diagnosed by isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from semen.

An autochthonous case of epididymal histoplasmosis masquerading as tuberculosis in a 55-year-old male patient is reported from India. It was diagnosed by culture of Histoplasma capsulatum from semen and by demonstration of the fungus upon re-examination of epididymal biopsy sections previously misinterpreted as tuberculous granuloma. The patient's main complaints were painful epididymal swelling, occasional fever and cough. He was treated successfully by excision of epididymis and vas deferens combined with amphotericin B therapy. This is believed to be the first case of epididymal histoplasmosis to be reported outside the American continent and the fourth of its type reported in the English literature. The case is also noteworthy in that H. capsulatum was isolated for the first time from semen, and it underlines the importance of mycological culture of semen specimens for diagnosis of genitourinary infections of obscure etiology.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1996

The fertilizing ability of human epididymal sperm.

PURPOSE: Membrane cofactor protein (MCP), CD46, whose primary function is to protect host cells from homologous complement, has been presumed to serve as a sperm adhesion molecule for oocytes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the properties of MCP expressed on epididymal sperm and their fertilizing ability in a recently developed strategy for assisted reproduction. METHODS: We collected ejaculated sperm from normal subjects and epididymal sperm from vasectomized subjects and patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens. Western blotting and cofactor activity assay were performed to investigated the structural and functional properties of MCP. RESULTS: Epididymal spermatozoa which showed a reduced fertilizing ability tended to react poorly with antibodies against MCP and also showed low cofactor activity, indicating weak complement regulatory activity compared to that of ejaculated spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: MCP is sufficiently expressed in ejaculated sperm in men with a normally developed epididymis but is diminished in epididymal sperm from men with congenital or acquired obstruction of the vas deferens.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1988

The role of chlamydiae in epididymitis.

In 21 men suffering from acute or chronic epididymitis who underwent scrotal surgical exploration, diagnostic microbiological studies consisting in cultures of the epididymal tissues and mid-stream urine specimens, as well as examination of the urethral swabs--before and after prostatic massage--were performed. Laboratory tests revealed that 55 per cent of the patients younger than 40 years were infected by Chlamydia trachomatis, and 36 per cent by urinary tract bacteria. On the other hand, in only 10 per cent of the patients older than 40 years the causative organisms were Chlamydiae, whereas in 70 per cent the common urinary tract bacteriae were the agents of epididymal infection. The aforementioned microbiological examinations were proved to be reliable in demonstrating the causative bacteria for epididymitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of glycoconjugates in the epididymal epithelium and luminal fluid during postnatal development of the mouse.

The qualitative nature and distribution of glycoproteins in the mouse epididymis during postnatal development was examined by using lectin cytochemical procedures on paraffin sections and lectin blots on electrophoretically separated luminal fluid polypeptides transferred onto nitrocellulose. Histochemical results revealed the presence of glycoproteins with terminal alpha-D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and neuraminic acid in the principal cells along the epididymis during early stages of development (1st week), and glycoproteins containing terminal alpha-L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and alpha-D-galactose in specific regions of the duct during the differentiation state (2nd-3rd week). Lectin staining localized in the Golgi region and at the apical surface increased during development. Specific changes occurred with age and between cell types. Examination of the epididymal luminal fluid glycopeptides by lectin blot analysis revealed the presence of a large number of glycoproteins with various saccharide moieties at 7 days of age. Epididymal differentiation was accompanied either by the disappearance of some glycoproteins (apparent molecular mass: 16, 17.5, 22, 28, 30 and 74 kDa) or the appearance of new glycoproteins in the proximal (23, 13 kDa) and distal regions (29, 20.5, 19 and 14.4 kDa), or along the entire epididymal duct (26 kDa). The main changes occurred in the epididymis of 21-day-old mice and were completed before spermatozoa reached the epididymal lumen.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

The role of cell adhesion molecules in ischemic epididymal injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of adhesion molecules in epididymal injury induced by I-R in the rats. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into two groups. A sham operation was performed in group 1 (control). In group 2 (I-R), following 6 h of unilateral spermatic cord torsion, 1-h detorsion of the testis was performed. Then, epididymides were removed to measure the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and to make histological examination. RESULTS: MDA values increased in the group 2. In the group 2 rats demonstrated significant disorganization of the epithelium and loss of microvilli in the epididymal tissue. No abnormal microscopic findings of the epididymis of the rats in the control group. The tenascin expression in the interstitial area of the epididymis was intense in the group 2. ICAM-1 expression by intense brown staining was seen along the basement membrane in epididymal tissue from I to R group rats. The microvillus sites of the epithelia in I-R group were stained mildly by lectin. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of adhesion molecules found in epididymal injury induced during postischemic reperfusion might implicate importance of inflammatory infiltration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of the maturation-associated galactose oxidase-sensitive glycoproteins of rat caudal sperm plasma membrane and epididymal fluid.

This paper explores the relationship between the galactose oxidase-sensitive glycoproteins from rat caudal epididymal sperm and fluid and, in addition, their relatedness to the 32,000-Da major acidic secretory glycoproteins of caudal epididymal fluid. The major acidic secretory glycoproteins were purified by a combination of high-resolution anion-exchange (Mono Q) and gel permeation (Bio-Sil TSK 125) chromatographic steps. Immunoprecipitation studies, peptide mapping, and the inability to label the purified glycoprotein by galactose oxidase/sodium boro[3H]hydride clearly established that the galactose oxidase-sensitive fluid and membrane glycoproteins were not related to these acidic secretory glycoproteins. Membrane and fluid tritium-labeled glycoproteins were shown to be closely related, but not identical, polypeptides. Sugar analysis indicated that both glycoproteins contain N- and O-linked saccharide chains and that the galactose oxidase-sensitive residue was present only on O-linked sugars. It was also found that efficient labeling of the 32,000-Da fluid glycoprotein was possible only if protease inhibitors were omitted from all buffers used in the isolation of caudal epididymal fluid and subsequent labeling procedures. This suggests that the fluid glycoprotein was acquired by the unintentional proteolysis of the membrane glycoprotein. Polyclonal antibodies raised against caput sperm plasma membranes immunoprecipitated tritium-labeled glycoproteins from both caudal epididymal fluid and sperm membrane, suggesting that a precursor form of the caudal galactose oxidase-sensitive glycoprotein may be present on caput sperm.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Phospholipid asymmetry of goat sperm plasma membrane during epididymal maturation.

The phospholipids and their fatty acids of the inner and outer plasma membrane leaflets of the maturing goat caput-, corpus-and cauda-epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed by treating the intact spermatozoa with phospholipase C and trinitrobenzene sulphonate. The inner and outer membrane showed marked differences in the phospholipid composition at all stages of epididymal sperm maturation. The outer membrane was rich in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SPH) whereas the inner leaflet was dominated by phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Although the ratio of PE/PC in the inner membrane was similar in both the mature cauda sperm and the immature caput sperm, it decreased significantly in sperm undergoing maturation in the corpus-epididymis. The distribution of the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipid fractions of both the membrane leaflets underwent profound alterations during the epididymal maturation. The data demonstrate asymmetry of phospholipids and their fatty acids in the sperm inner and outer plasma membranes and this lipid asymmetry is greatly altered during epididymal maturity of the male gametes.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Identification of membrane antigens of goat epididymal spermatozoa.

Purified goat sperm plasma membrane was used as antigen to raise the antibody in rabbit. Using this antisera four groups of antigenic membrane polypeptides are determined in caput and cauda epididymal sperm. The immunoresponsiveness of the polypeptides in caput and cauda sperm differs significantly. In case of cauda epididymal sperm, the polypeptides of region A (96KDa, 82KDa, 78KDa, 68KDa) and region D (24KDa, 20KDa, 18KDa) are highly immunoresponsive whereas in case of caput epididymal sperm the same antisera recognized the polypeptides of region B, C and D. By surface labelling with lactoperoxidase iodination and subsequent immunoprecipitation in the iodinated cell extract we demonstrate eight of these above polypeptides (96KDa, 82KDa, 68KDa, 50KDa, 29KDa, 24KDa, 20KDa and 18KDa) as surface antigen. The 96KDa, 82KDa and 68KDa surface polypeptides are highly immunoresponsive than the other lower molecular weight surface antigens in cauda epididymal goat spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of orchidectomy and testosterone substitution on enzyme activities and DNA content in rat liver and epididymal fat.

Orchidectomy of rats resulted in increased concentration and whole organ amount of DNA both in the epididymal fat pad and liver. Liver hexokinase (HK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) activities were raised after orchidectomy, but were normalized by testosterone substitution. Several glycolytic enzymes, and fumarase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased by orchidectomy in epididymal fat. Most of the enzyme changes tended to normalize after testosterone administration. Activities of NADPH generating enzymes were increased after orchidectomy both in liver and epididymal fat. When related to DNA, several enzyme activities in both tissues fell following castration. However, liver HK, PFK and NADPH generating enzymes, as well as epididymal fat HK and isocitrate dehydrogenase were elevated after castration also when related to DNA. The results suggest that the influence of testosterone on cell proliferation is organ-specific. The observed enzyme alterations after orchidectomy might partly explain fat accumulation and hyperlipoproteinemia encountered in castrates.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Influence of rete testis fluid deprivation on the kinetic parameters of goat epididymal 5 alpha-reductase.

A surgical technique to cannulate the rete testis of the goat was utilized to examine the effects of rete testis fluid (RTF) deprivation on the enzymatic activity of epididymal 5 alpha-reductase. Kinetic techniques were used to determine whether the regional enzymatic effect of RTF deprivation is to decrease the apparent number of 5 alpha-reductase active sites or the catalytic activity of each active site within the epididymal epithelium. Paired comparisons of (Vmax)app and (Km)app values between control and RTF-deprived epididymides indicated that RTF deprivation affected the value of (Vmax)app with no apparent change in the values of (Km)app in caput, corpus, and cauda epididymal regions. We conclude that RTF deprivation in the goat epididymis for 7 days results in a decreased number of apparent 5 alpha-reductase active sites within the epididymal epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Significance of epididymal and ductal anomalies associated with undescended testis: study in 652 cases.

OBJECTIVE: We have long been interested in epididymal and ductal anomalies associated with cryptorchidism in the literature. We decided to study their prevalence in our cases due to the significance of these anomalies in patients' future fertility. METHODS: We studied six hundred fifty-two testes treated for failed descent in our department and evaluated the epididymal and ductal anomalies we observed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Epididymal and vasal anomalies occurred with an overall frequency of 36 percent (235 of 652 cases). Flimsy attachment of the head of epididymis to the testis constituted the most common anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of future fertility should consider the epididymal anomalies detected at orchiopexy. Such anomalies may coexist with excellent testis histology so that fertility impairment may occur based on sperm transport, despite the preservation of germ cells by early orchiopexy.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Characteristics and zona binding ability of FRESH and cooled domestic cat epididymal spermatozoa.

Maintenance of genetic diversity within endangered species is important for ensuring healthy populations. Because unexpected deaths can occur, it would be advantageous to salvage gametes to effect posthumous participation in species reproduction. Using the domestic cat as a model for nondomestic felids, this investigation was undertaken to determine epididymal sperm cell characteristics, capacitation timing and the effects of storage temperature on fertilizing ability. In Study 1, the timing of capacitation was evaluated by examining zona attachment of spermatozoa to in vitro matured oocytes at 30-min intervals for 5 h. In Study 2, the ability of freshly collected (FRESH) and overnight cooled (COOL) epididymal spermatozoa to undergo capacitation and nuclear decondensation was evaluated using the zona attachment and zona-free hamster ova penetration assays. From Study 1, mean characteristics (n=29) for epididymal sperm cell motility and progressive status were 51.9% and 3.1+/-0.1, respectively, with a concentration of 80.3 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml and 51% morphologically normal cells. Zona attachment (n >/= 25 ova/time interval) by sperm cells occurred at each time interval, but both the mean number of attached sperm cells/zona and the percentage of zonae with attached spermatozoa reached maximum values at 240 min (12.0+/-2.1 and 89.7%, respectively; P<0.05). In Study 2, overnight cooling did not affect progressive status of motility (3.3+/-0.1) or the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (53.2+/-4.4) compared with that of FRESH (2.9+/-0.1, 50.7+/-3.2%) samples; however, motility was 14% lower (P<0.05) in the COOL vs FRESH group. Hamster ova penetration and the mean number of sperm cells attached/zona were greater in the COOL (28%, 18.6+/-5.7) than in the FRESH (5%, 7.4+/-2.0) group (P<0.05). However, it is speculated that the increased sperm-zonae interaction may have been the result of acrosomal damage. Nevertheless, these data demonstrate that domestic cat epididymal sperm cells have the ability to capacitate and undergo the first stages of fertilization.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Preservation of ejaculated and epididymal stallion spermatozoa by cooling and freezing.

The suitability of ejaculated and epididymal stallion spermatozoa for cooled storage (5 degrees C) and cryopreservation was examined in 5 ejaculates from each of 6 stallions and in spermatozoa recovered from the cauda epididymidis after castration of these stallions. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, examined by subjective estimation (cooled samples) or by computerized analysis (frozen-thawed samples), was used as parameter. In ejaculated semen samples containing 5 and 25% seminal plasma in a skim milk glucose extender, the lower amount of seminal plasma supported spermatozoal motility significantly better throughout storage at 5 degrees C. Addition of 5 or 25% seminal plasma to perfused epididymal spermatozoa (0% seminal plasma) resulted in a significant stimulation of spermatozoal motility by 25% seminal plasma at 0 h (P<0.05) and to a lesser extent at 24 and 48 h. Post-thaw motility of ejaculated as well as epididymal spermatozoa was not influenced by slow cooling to 15 degrees or 5 degrees C with or without glycerol prior to rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen vapor. During cooled storage, seminal plasma had a stimulatory effect on epididymal spermatozoa and depressed motility in ejaculated spermatozoa. Results on cryopreservation indicate that freezability of equine spermatozoa is already determined when spermatozoa leave the tail of the epididymis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1975

Changes in 5alpha- dihydrotestosterone binding to epididymal cytosol during sexual maturation in rabbits: correlation with morphological changes in the testis and epididymis.

We previously demonstrated that the caput epididymis of intact sexually mature rabbits contains a specific high-affinity binding protein for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alphaDHT). The other anatomical segments (corpus and cauda) of the epididymes of these animals had no detectable 5alphaDHT-binding activity. We have further shown that this binding was due to an androgen-binding protein of testicular origin. In the present study we have investigated 5alphaDHT binding to epididymal cytosol from sexually immature rabbits (20-104 days old). Using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, we have detected a unique pattern of binding. The pattern correlated well with testicular and epididymal maturation, but there was little correlation with chronological age or body weight. In the most immature animals (Group I) the seminiferous tubules appeared as solid cords and the epithelium of the ductus epididymis detectable 5alphaDHT-binding activity. In the second group (Group II), there was 5alphaDHT-binding to all three segments. The seminiferous tubules of these rabbits exhibited spermatogenic activity and lumen formation. The height of the epididymal epithelium had increased uniformly throughout the duct. The third group (Group III) had 5alphaDHT-binding only in caput cytosol. Spermatogenesis had progressed to the formation of elongated spermatids in the most immature animals of this group to the release of spermatozoa in the most mature ones. The caput epithelium of this last group of rabbits was fully differentiated. Unilateral orchidectomy of Group II rabbits resulted in a decrease in [3H]5alphaDHT-binding activity on the operated side as compared to the contralateral non-operated control side, suggesting the testicular origin of the binding protein. The failure of cyproterone or cyproterone acetate to inhibit [3H]5alphaDHT-binding to the protein, the lack of effect of N-ethylmaleimide on binding, and the rapid dissociation rate of the [3H]5alphaDHT-binding protein complex suggested that the binding moiety was testicular androgen-binding protein (ABP).

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of the epididymal glutathione peroxidase-like protein in the mouse: dependence upon androgens and testicular factors.

The protein MEP24 was previously described as a glutathione peroxidase-like molecule specifically secreted by the mouse caput epididymidis. Recently, its binding to the head of spermatozoa was demonstrated. Here, the regulation of MEP24 expression was studied by analyzing transcriptional and translational activities in the epididymis (1) of adult mice castrated on day 60 and given various substitutive testosterone (T) treatments from day 90 and (2) of hemicastrated adult animals. In castrated mice, T treatment induced a significant rise in plasma T and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations that greatly exceeded the control values. Owing to efficient regulation, however, the epididymal T and DHT levels were never higher than those of the controls. The restoration of MEP24 mRNA accumulation was complete when the epididymal DHT content returned to its normal value. However, when estimated in a cell-free system, the in vitro translatable MEP24 mRNA level never exceeded 70% of control values, even though the DHT and accumulated mRNAs were restored by 100% or more. In hemicastrates, the T content was normal on the castrated side, while the DHT content exhibited a significant decrease (47%). In this case, the MEP24 mRNA accumulation reached 88% of the normal value, but the translation rate, both in vitro and in vivo, was only about 50%. Ultrastructural studies showed that the normal rough endoplasmic reticulum organization in segment I cells is dependent upon the presence of testicular fluid in the epididymal duct lumen. Thus, this report shows that the MEP24 mRNA steady-state level is completely recovered in the presence of a normal epididymal DHT content, while restoration of the regulation of translation is just partial. This could be related to the cell organization but seems mainly dependent upon the presence of specific mRNA-associated factors which are probably under the control of androgens and/or molecules carried by the testicular fluid.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Different calcium dependencies of contractile activity of prostatic and epididymal portions of rat vas deferens.

1. The effects of some organic calcium entry blockers and different concentrations of extracellular calcium on electrically-evoked contractions of isolated epididymal and prostatic portions of rat vas deferens were investigated. 2. Both epididymal and prostatic parts of rat vas deferens responded to single pulse or train electrical field stimulation, with twitch contractions of submaximal amplitude. 3. Verapamil showed a biphasic action on the contractions produced by single pulse electrical stimulation. In concentrations < 10(-5) M, it potentiated the responses of both portions, but at higher concentrations, the excitatory action was overcome by a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect. 4. Nifedipine reduced the amplitude of electrically-evoked contractions of both portions in a concentration-dependent manner. The ED50 of nifedipine was 3.6 x 10(-8) M and 2.1 x 10(-6) M in prostatic and epididymal portions, respectively. 5. Dantrolene sodium reduced the amplitude of electrically-evoked contractions of both portions in a concentration-dependent manner. The ED50 of dantrolene was 1.55 x 10(-4) M and 9.1 x 10(-4) M in prostatic and epididymal portions, respectively. 6. Reduction of Ca2+ concentration in medium reduced the amplitude of contractions of both portions significantly. This calcium dependence was more apparent in low frequencies of electrical stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Methylmercury- and mercuric-chloride-induced alterations in rat epididymal sperm.

Four-week-old male albino rats weighing 70 +/- 5 g were treated intraperitoneally daily with 0, 5 and 10 micrograms methylmercuric chloride (MMC)/kg or 0, 50 and 100 micrograms mercuric chloride (MC)/kg body weight, respectively, over a period of 90 days. Studies were carried out a intermittent intervals, i.e. on days 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment. Gradual decrements in body and epididymal weights were observed from day 30 onwards in both the MMC- and MC-treated groups. Morphological deformations of epididymal epithelium were noted from day 30 onwards in the mercurial-treated groups. MMC treatment caused severe degeneration of the epididymal epithelium on days 60 and 90 in comparison to MC treatment. Total sperm count was significantly less in the MC-treated groups, while motile sperm count was affected most in the MMC-administered groups. The frequency of sperm abnormality increased consistently at both doses of mercurial treatment over a period of 90 days. Maximum sperm abnormality among the treated groups was noted in the groups given 10 micrograms MMC/kg. The observations revealed that MMC and MC have variable potency to alter epididymal structure and the sperm.

Animals↗