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PubMed2001

The histopathology of iatrogenic cryptorchid testis: an insight into etiology.

PURPOSE: Iatrogenic undescended testis may develop after inguinal hernia repair, presumably as a result of mechanical tethering of the testis or cord in scar tissue. Because some true cryptorchid testes appear to be completely descended at birth and later ascend during childhood, some iatrogenic undescended testes may be low lying undescended testes. To determine whether iatrogenic undescended testes may be unrecognized cryptorchid testes at herniorrhaphy we examined biopsies of iatrogenic undescended testes and the corresponding contralateral descended testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 1999 bilateral testis biopsies were obtained at orchiopexy in 37 boys 1.5 to 11.8 years old who previously underwent inguinal hernia correction. Histomorphometric analysis of germ cell counts was performed on the undescended and contralateral descended testes, and compared to the count in bilateral biopsies of 37 age and position matched patients with true unilateral cryptorchidism. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in volume or total and differential germ cell counts in the undescended and contralateral descended testes in the study groups and age matched controls with primary unilateral cryptorchidism. The mean number of germ cells per tubule in the undescended testis in patients with a greater than 5-year interval from herniorrhaphy to orchiopexy was significantly decreased compared to those with an operative interval of less than 5 years (0.27 +/- 0.33 versus 0.93 +/- 1.4, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with iatrogenic undescended testis may have an unrecognized low cryptorchid testis. Careful physical examination before and after inguinal surgery is recommended. The early repair of iatrogenic undescended testis is warranted to prevent further damage.

Child↗
PubMed1979

[Tumours of the undescended testis (author's transl)].

It has now been clearly demonstrated that cryptorchidism is accompanied by a very marked increase in malignancy of the ectopic testis as well as in that in place. Amongst 80 patients undergoing surgery for carcinoma of the testis 14 (17.5%) had a past history of unilateral undescended. The risk of malignancy developing in an ectopic testis is 12 to 48 times greater than that of a testis which has descended normally. It would appear that the higher the position of the testis, the greater is the risk. Orchidopexy may decreased the risk if performed before the age of 11. When the tumour is situated in an ectopic testis, the clinical picture is often misleading. When the ectopic testis has been brought down the special feature of these tumours is the frequency of spread to inguinal lymph nodes. In terms of its basic principles the treatment of these tumours does not differ from that of those affecting normal testis. The aetiology of these tumours remains uncertain. There would seem to be a consensus in favour of a disgenetic origin, possible secondary to hormonal deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Torsion of appendix of testis and epididymis: a report of 4 cases].

We report our clinical and pathological observations on four patients with torsion of appendix testis or epididymis, and reviewed 72 cases of torsion of the appendages of intrascrotal organs collected from the Japanese literature; 35 cases of torsion of appendix testis, 36 cases of torsion of appendix epididymis and 1 case of torsion of paradidymis . Case 1 was a 10-year-old boy visiting us because of pain and swelling in his right scrotum continuing for the past ten days. His right scrotum was found to contain a hen-egg sized tender mass. The testis and epididymis could not be differentiated by palpation. The blood count disclosed 10,000 white blood cells. At operation, two appendix epididymis were found in his right scrotum. One of them was twisted 360 degrees clockwise and 10 x 8 x 5 mm in size. Case 2 was a 11-year-old boy with complaint of pain in his left lower abdomen and left scrotum for the past three days. Palpation of his left scrotal contents revealed a slightly hard testis and tender epididymis. At operation, we found his left spermatic cord to be twisted 90 degrees counterclockwise and appendix epididymis 180 degrees counterclockwise. The twisted appendix epididymis was 10 x 8 x 7 mm in size. Case 3 was a 13-year-old boy whose complaint was left scrotal pain. The upper pole of his left testis was found to be swollen and tender by palpation. The exposure of his left scrotum at operation revealed that his left epididymis was abnormally attached to his left testis and had two appendices. One of these appendix epididymis was twisted 180 degrees clockwise and measured 10 x 10 x 8 mm. Case 4 was a 19-year-old male who suffered from right testicular pain for the past seven days. He had a history of three intermittent episodes of similar right testicular pain during the past two years. His right testis was enlarged and palpated slightly hard and tender. We explored his right scrotum surgically and found the appendix testis twisted and enlarged to little-finger's head size. However, it was impossible to determine whether the rotation was clockwise or counterclockwise because the twisted appendix was too severely damaged. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in one case and three were erroneously diagnosed as having torsion of spermatic cord. All four cases were treated by surgery which relieved all patients of discomfort.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-palpable testis: modern diagnostic and therapeutic trends].

Management of the nonpalpable testis is controversial and can be difficult as shown by the multiple modalities for evaluation and proposed treatment. In our opinion, laparoscopy is the ideal first step in the management of patients with a nonpalpable testis, having a great reliability in locating or confirming absence of an occult testis. Accurate preoperative assessment and localization will assist in selecting the appropriate surgical approach either laparoscopic, laparoscopic-assisted, or open procedure. Laparoscopy was performed on 74 patients with 86 nonpalpable testis. The technique has been demonstrated to be extremely safe and lead to diagnosis in 100% of cases. Surgical management of nonpalpable testis was directly performed by laparoscopy identifying intra-abdominal vanishing testis and locating an intra-abdominal or inguinal testis. The two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed in 41 patients. The first stage consisted of laparoscopic clip ligation of the spermatic vessels. Of these, 32 underwent the second stage by vas-based orchiopexy; all testes, but one, showed a normal size and consistency. To conclude, we advocate the use of laparoscopy in all boys with nonpalpable testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The non-palpable testis: modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches].

Management of the nonpalpable testis is controversial and can be difficult as shown by the multiple modalities for evaluation and proposed treatment. In our opinion, laparoscopy is the ideal first step in the management of patients with a nonpalpable testis, having a great reliability in locating or confirming absence of an occult testis. Accurate preoperative assessment and localization will assist in selecting the appropriate surgical approach either laparoscopic, laparoscopic-assisted, or open procedure. Laparoscopy was performed on 74 patients with 86 nonpalpable testis. The technique has been demonstrated to be extremely safe and lead to diagnosis in 100% of cases. Surgical management of nonpalpable testis was directly performed by laparoscopy identifying intra-abdominal vanishing testis and locating an intra-abdominal or inguinal testis. The two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed in 41 patients. The first stage consisted of laparoscopic clip ligation of the spermatic vessels. Of these, 32 underwent the second stage by vas-based orchiopexy; all testes, but-one, showed a normal size and consistency. To conclude, we advocate the use of laparoscopy in all boys with nonpalpable testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Current findings in diagnostic laparoscopic evaluation of the nonpalpable testis.

PURPOSE: We delineate the current findings and contribution of diagnostic laparoscopic evaluation in the management of nonpalpable testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all cases in which laparoscopy was considered the management associated with a nonpalpable testis in a 4-year period. Since our previous series, we have performed a careful examination for the testis after induction of anesthesia but before committing to laparoscopy. We recorded testis position and quality, character of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels, type of management and contribution of laparoscopy. We also reviewed contemporary published series and collated the findings of studies performed elsewhere. RESULTS: We identified 263 nonpalpable testes in 225 patients between September 1992 and 1996. In 40 patients 46 testes (18%) were found during physical examination under anesthesia. Of the remaining cases considered appropriate for laparoscopy 215 with complete records were further analyzed. Only 12.6% could be considered missed on examination due to a viable testis distal to the inguinal ring. Of the testes 45.7% would have been found during inguinal exploration alone. In 9.8% of the patients there were intra-abdominal vanishing testes, while 4.2% had indeterminate cord structures on inguinal exploration that would have prompted abdominal extension without a laparoscopic demonstration that the vas and vessels entered the canal. A conventional inguinal incision would have provided optimal exposure for operative management in 34% of the testes. For testes distal to the internal ring when the vas and vessels were distinctly atretic we never identified a viable testis, while a normal appearing vas and vessel were associated with a 45% chance of a salvageable testis. Laparoscopy was informative regarding testis position in all cases in which it was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In 13.2% of the cases laparoscopic findings precluded unnecessary abdominal exploration. The typical surgical incision for inguinal exploration would have left the surgeon compromised in 66% of the cases compared to the approach optimized as a result of laparoscopic testicular localization. Of the patients 34% arguably did not benefit from laparoscopy versus inguinal exploration. A simple examination under anesthesia significantly decreases the number of uninformative laparoscopic evaluations, and it is well worth the cost of a few minutes of operative time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Sertoli cells secrete both testis-specific and serum proteins.

The secretions of the Sertoli cell were examined with two polyvalent antisera--one prepared against proteins in rat serum and the other against testis-specific proteins in rete testis fluid. These antisera detected 12 serum and 9 testis-specific proteins in rete testis fluid. To determine the origin of these proteins, primary cultures enriched in Sertoli cells were incubated with [35S]methionine, and the radiolabeled proteins in the medium were immunoprecipitated. Gel electrophoresis of the two immunoprecipitates resolved eight serum and nine testis-specific proteins. These two sets of proteins were specifically bound to their respective antiserum and were immunologically distinct. Medium from Sertoli cell cultures contained 10 times more of the testis-specific proteins than did cultures enriched for testicular myoid or interstitial cells. The concentration of the serum proteins in Sertoli cell medium was 5 and 10 times greater, respectively, than in myoid or interstitial cell preparations. The proteins from Sertoli cells were next characterized on two-dimensional gels. Seven of the proteins recognized by antiserum against serum proteins had identical molecular weights and isoelectric points as serum proteins. Three of these proteins were ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and glycoprotein 2. In addition to the proteins immunoprecipitated by the two antisera, more than 60 other proteins were detected on two-dimensional gels of the total secretory proteins. We conclude that the Sertoli cell secretes many proteins, some of which are specific to the testis and others of which are similar to serum proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis. A review and report of new cases.

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis (AHRT) is an uncommon benign lesion that preferentially involves the septal rete testis and mediastinal rete testis. It is usually an incidental finding in surgical specimens from cryptorchidism and testicular tumour. It can be found in autopsy specimens from patients dying with different chronic diseases and newborns with kidney diseases. Since its first description many articles have been published communicating new cases and putting forward some hypotheses on its aetiology and pathogenic mechanisms. Some authors suggest a role for hormonal changes, tumour invasion and action of chemical agents. We think that AHRT should be categorised into two main aetiological categories: congenital and acquired. The cases associated with different kidney and spermatic duct diseases, most cases associated with cryptorchidic testis and some cases associated with testicular germ cell tumour should be included in the congenital group. The remaining cases associated with chemical agents, some hormonal changes (i.e. androgen blockade) and most of the germ cell tumour cases can be considered as acquired AHRT. Differential diagnosis must be established mainly with metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostate to testis and primary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Pseudohyperplasia of the rete testis must also be considered in atrophic testes. Here we review the papers published on this subject and report our recent cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Leydig cell differentiation during maturation of the rat testis: a stereological study of cell number and ultrastructure.

In an effort to further understand the basis for the changes in steroidogenesis known to occur during sexual maturation in the rat, we examined by quantitative morphologic methods the number and ultrastructure of Leydig cells in fetal rats (days 18-20 of gestation) and in rats from days 2 to 3 of age through adult. Quantitative light microscopic analyses indicated that Leydig cell number, when expressed per unit volume of testis, was very high in fetal rat testes, fell significantly in testes of days 2 to 3 rats, and subsequently rose significantly. When Leydig cell number was expressed per testis rather than per unit volume of testis, the results indicated that testes of fetal rats and rats of days 2 to 3 contained the same number of Leydig cells; after the neonatal period, significant increases in Leydig cell number per testis occurred in concert with increases in testis weight. Quantitative electron microscopic studies revealed significant differences in the ultrastructure of fetal and adult populations of Leydig cells. For example, Leydig cells of fetal and neonatal rats contained abundant lipid, whereas Leydig cells of weeks 7 to 8 and adult rats contained little. Stereological analyses also revealed dramatic changes in smooth endoplasmic reticulum and inner mitochondrial membrane surface areas during sexual maturation, both per cell and per testis. These findings are discussed with respect to the steroidogenic capacity of the testis during sexual maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Reduced levels of XPA, ERCC1 and XPF DNA repair proteins in testis tumor cell lines.

Over 80% of patients with advanced metastatic testis tumors can be cured using cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. This is unusual as metastatic cancer in adults is usually incurable. Cell lines derived from testis tumors retain sensitivity to cisplatin in vitro. We previously investigated 2 testis tumor cell lines with a low capacity to remove cisplatin-induced DNA damage and found that they had low levels of the DNA nucleotide excision repair proteins XPA, ERCC1 and XPF. To determine whether low levels of XPA, ERCC1 and XPF proteins are characteristic of testis tumor cell lines, we investigated 35 cell lines derived from cancers to determine whether groups of cell lines from diverse tissue origins differ from one another in constitutive levels of these NER proteins. Quantitative immunoblotting was used to compare groups of cell lines representing prostate, bladder, breast, lung, cervical, ovarian and testis cancers. Only the 6 testis tumor cell lines showed significantly lower mean levels of XPA (p = 0.001), XPF (p = 0.001) and ERCC1 (p = 0.004) proteins from the other groups. Our results encourage further investigation of the possibility that low levels of these nucleotide excision repair proteins could be related to the favorable response of testis tumors to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

Cell-cell interactions in the testis of teleosts and elasmobranchs.

In this paper we present the state of knowledge on cell-cell interactions in the testis of two groups of anamniote vertebrates--teleosts and elasmobranchs--which include most fish. In these fish, the structural organization of the testis differs fundamentally from that which characterizes amniotes in which the germinal tissue is located in tubules open at both ends and consists of a permanent population of Sertoli cells associated with successive stages of germ cell development. In fish, the spermatogenic unit of testis is the spermatocyst, which corresponds to one germ cell or to a clone of isogenetic germ cells, enclosed by one or several Sertoli cells, which form the wall of the cyst. In fish testis, the Sertoli cells do not represent a permanent population of cells. Although both are of the cystic type, the teleost and elasmobranch testes are differently organized. In elasmobranchs, primary spermatogonia and Sertoli cells lie initially free within the interstitial tissue, before becoming sequestered by a basement membrane; the testis is then composed of a mass of spermatocysts which contain many Sertoli cells, each being associated with a clone of germ cells. In contrast, in teleosts, the cysts are confined to large elongated structures limited by a basement membrane. These structures are either lobules originating under the albuginea or tubules which, in contrast to those of mammals, are anastomosed. In the lobules, the spermatocysts start to develop at the blind end of the lobules and migrate towards the efferent system, whereas in the tubules, the spermatocysts are located against the basement membrane, all along the tubules and do not migrate. In elasmobranchs, unlike teleosts, Leydig cells are either absent from the interstitial tissue or rare and undifferentiated and their role in steroid production is at best marginal. While many studies have focused on topographical and functional interactions between the diverse cell types present in mammalian testis, only a few studies have brought particular attention to these aspects in fish. In fish, like in mammals, testicular cell-cell interactions are based on structural elements and chemical factors. Occasionally, various adhering junctions have been observed, essentially in teleosts, between Sertoli cells, between Sertoli cells and germ cells, between germ cells themselves, and interstitial cells. Furthermore, in some teleost species, using horseradish peroxidase or lanthanum salts, the presence of tight junctions between Sertoli cells has been correlated to the occurrence of a Sertoli barrier. In these species, the barrier develops after meiosis so that only haploid germ cells are shielded from the vascular system. In fish, recent development of techniques which enable the preparation and in vitro culture of enriched populations of testicular cells and of spermatocysts, has allowed investigations on functional aspects of cell-cell interactions. In particular, data have been obtained, in the trout, on the control of spermatogonia proliferation by Sertoli cell-conditioned media and, in the dogfish, on the steroidogenic activity of Sertoli cells, in relation to the differentiation stage of the associated germ cells. Furthermore information exists, in the trout, showing that intratubular macrophages may participate in the re-initiation of spermatogonial proliferation. In conclusion, the cytoarchitecture of fish testis, as compared to that of mammals, presents original features which provide unique opportunities to develop fruitful studies for a better understanding of the complex control mechanisms underlying testicular function in vertebrates.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Differentiation and development of testis in the oviparous lizard, Calotes versicolor (Daud.).

The differentiation and development of the testis in the lizard Calotes versicolor was studied histologically and histoenzymatically from the day of oviposition (stage 27) to 2 months after hatching. The study reveals the appearance of the gonadal component as a genital ridge at stage 27. The first sign of testis differentiation is observed at stage 33, which displays a well-developed medulla consisting of seminiferous cords comprising Pre-Sertoli cells. The sex differentiation of the embryonic gonads occurs at stage 34. At this stage, seminiferous cords of the testis are prominent and extensive with many pre-Sertoli cells and few spermatogonia. The interstitial space consists of immature fibroblast-type Leydig cells. Pre-Sertoli cells of the seminiferous cords differentiate into Sertoli cells with a triangular nucleus becoming apparent around stages 36-37. The fibroblast-like Leydig cells differentiate into round matured Leydig cells at stage 40. Quantitative estimation of germ cells reveals that the number of germ cells increases in individual gonads, and in 5-day-old hatchling's, this number multiplies by manifold. Spermatogonia show reductional division in the testis of 1-day-old hatchlings. Histochemical localization of Delta5-3beta-HSDH and G-6-PDH activity appears in the seminiferous cords (medulla) of the testis after sexual differentiation (stage 36), indicating that the embryonic medulla is the site of steroidogenesis and not the cortex in C. versicolor. This study also suggests that morphological differentiation of the gonad precedes detectable steroidogenesis in this species. In 10-day-old hatchling's, Delta5-3beta-HSDH activity is seen in the interstitial cells of the testis, which, however, is not detected in the seminiferous tubules. The intensity of the enzyme activity remains more or less the same in the testis up to 10 days after hatching and begins to increase thereafter. The increase in steroidogenesis parallels the progressive post-hatching increase of the interstitial/Leydig cells.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1992

Developmental expression of the S35-S45/SGP-2/TRPM-2 gene in rat testis and epididymis.

Testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) was originally isolated and cloned from the regressing ventral prostate of the rat. In this tissue, and in other hormone-dependent tissues such as the mammary gland, this gene is induced in the absence of the appropriate trophic hormone. Sequence analysis of the cDNA and genomic clones of TRPM-2 have demonstrated that the coding sequence of this gene is identical to S35-S45 (also known as SGP-2 and clusterin), which is constitutively expressed by the Sertoli cells of the adult testis. Using Northern, slot blot, S1-nuclease analysis, and in situ hybridization, we have investigated the regulation of TRPM-2 expression in the testis and epididymis during development. Slot blot analysis of RNA extracted from the testis and epididymis of 7-, 14-, 28-, 35-, and 91-day-old rats demonstrates that the gene is induced to detectable levels between days 7 and 14 and that the relative level of expression does not change significantly after day 14. In situ hybridization using frozen sections of testis from day 2-, 7-, 14-, 28-, 35-, and 91-day-old rats confirms that there is little expression of TPRM-2 in the seminiferous epithelium of 7-day-old rats, but this increases considerably after 14 days, primarily in Sertoli cells but also in association with meiotic developing spermatogenic cells. However, TRPM-2 mRNA is expressed in the rete testis at 2 days of age, reaches a peak at 35 days of age, and continues to be expressed in the adult. Slot blot analysis demonstrates that TRPM-2 is also induced in the epididymis between 7 and 14 days of age, although, as has been demonstrated by in situ hybridization, TRPM-2 mRNA is detectable in the epithelial cells in the head of the epididymis but is barely detectable in the midportion or tail regions. Northern analysis suggests that the size of the TRPM-2 transcript in the testis also changes during development. In the early stages of testicular development, the TRPM-2 transcript appears to be a broad band of approximately 1.5 kb, while the transcript in the adult appears to be approximately 1.8 kb in length. S1-nuclease protection assays suggest that this increase in size is not due to differential splicing of the first exon of TRPM-2/SGP-2 and most probably reflects a difference in the polyadenylation of the mRNA in the testis at different times during development.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Characterization and potential function of a novel testis-specific nucleoporin BS-63.

A 1933 bp cDNA fragment, coding a truncated testis-specific novel nucleoporin, was isolated from a human testis lambdaZAPII cDNA library, designated as BS-63 and assigned GenBank accession number: U64675. By applying the methods of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5' RACE) and PCR, a full-length BS-63 cDNA composed of 5475 bp was obtained. BS-63 cDNA contained an open reading frame consisting of 1765 codons and XFXFG or GLFG repetitive sequence motifs. These repetitive motifs are structural characteristic of nucleoporins. BS-63 cDNA has high homology with Nup358/Ran BP2. A 1599 bp fragment, corresponding to the C-terminus of BS-63 cDNA, was prepared and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant product was purified by affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE and polyclonal antibodies raised. In rat testis section, the BS-63 protein was localized at the sites of nuclear pores in spermatids by immuno-gold transmission electron microscopy and on the nuclear membrane of Triton X-treated sperm by colloidal silver immuno-gold scanning electron microscopy. The recombinant BS-63 protein can be phosphorylated in vitro with PKC and p34(cdc2). A yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen a mouse testis cDNA library to identify proteins capable of interacting with BS-63. Using the 1.6 kb cDNA fragment as bait, the following interacting proteins were identified: Ran, transportin (karyopherin beta2), two proteins related to the nucleocytoplasmic transporter and aF10 protein. The latter protein is a putative transcriptor containing a cysteine-rich N-terminus, a LAP/PHD finger, a leucine zipper domain and a glutamine-rich C-terminus. Also it is highly expressed in murine testis and is located in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. The interaction of BS-63 with aF10 (696-1001aa) was validated by surface plasmon resonance and by affinity precipitation combined with Western blot. aF10 (696-1001aa) interacted in vitro with BS-63 extracted from rat testis germ cells. It is hypothesized that BS-63 is a testis-specific nucleoporin and possibly acts as a docking site and a cotransporter of Ran and transportin. The complex performs the task of a carrier system in transporting aF10 into the nucleus of germ cells during spermiogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Histone H1-like protein and a testis-specific variant in the reproductive tracts of Octopus vulgaris.

In this study, we have identified a 28-kDa protein resembling the linker H1 in the testis and prostate of the reproductive system of Octopus vulgaris. This protein, OvH1, was partially purified by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the perchloric acid extract from testis nuclei. It showed electrophoretic mobility, CD spectrum and amino acid composition highly comparable with those of the mammalian histone. Moreover, it was microheterogeneous, as resulted from prostate and testis HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses. Such analysis showed that in testis there are two H1 subfractions, which do not appear in the prostate. Amino acid composition of the major testis specific variant (OvH1t) showed high similarity with rat testis specific H1t. The histone-like nature of OvH1 was confirmed by its ability to bind DNA as tested both by circular dichroism and protection of the nucleic acid toward deoxyribonuclease I activity. The circular dichroism spectra of Octopus DNA in the absence and presence of increasing amounts of the protein showed a dose-dependent effect, leading to a progressive compactness of the polynucleotide. OvH1/DNA complexes were also resistant to nuclease digestion. The presence of H1 in the testis and prostate of the reproductive system of Octopus is discussed in light of the fact that there is a similarity between its behavior and that of vertebrates.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1998

Accumulation of various N-acylethanolamines including N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) in cadmium chloride-administered rat testis.

Changes in the levels of various molecular species of N-acylethanolamine in CdCl2-administered rat testis were examined. We found that the levels of various N-acylethanolamines including anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, were dramatically increased in CdCl2-admin-istered rat testis. Such changes were particularlyprominent for saturated and monoenoic species such as N-palmitoyl species (39-fold at 9 h) and N-stearoyl species (21-fold at 9 h), compared with unsaturated fatty acid-containing species such as anandamide (5-fold at 9 h). Noticeably, increased levels were observed of not only N-acylethanolamines but also several species of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine, potential precursors for N-acylethanolamines. We confirmed that the rat testis microsomal fraction contains phosphodiesterase activity catalyzing the release of N-acylethanolamine from N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine and transacylase activity catalyzing the formation of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine from phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. These enzyme activities were not dramatically different in the microsomal fraction obtained from CdCl2-administered rat testis compared with that in the case of control rat testis, at least when estimated in cell-free assay systems, suggesting that the accessibility of the substrates to the enzymes may be increased in CdCl2-administered rat testis to generate a large amount of N-acylethanolamine. Possible pathophysiological implications of the augmented generation of N-acylethanolamine including anandamide in CdCl2-administered rat testis were discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Testis glutathione peroxidase and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase activities in aminoguanidine-treated diabetic rats.

Severe steroidogenic and spermatogenic alterations are reported in association with diabetic manifestations in humans and experimental animals. This study was planned to determine whether oxidative stress is involved in diabetes-induced alterations in the testes. Diabetes was induced in male rats by injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). Ten weeks after injection of STZ, levels of selenium and activities of selenium dependent-glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) were measured in rat testis. Lipid and protein oxidations were evaluated as measurements of testis malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl levels, respectively. Testis sulfydryl (SH) levels were also determined. The control levels of GPx and PHGPx activities were found to be 46.5 +/- 6.2 and 108.8 +/- 19.8 nmol GSH/mg protein/min, respectively. Diabetes caused an increase in testis GPx (65.0 +/- 21.1) and PHGPx (155.9 +/- 43.1) activities but did not affect the levels of selenium or SH. However, the testis MDA and protein carbonyl levels as markers of lipid and protein oxidation, respectively, did not increase in the diabetic group. Aminoguanidine (AG) treatment of diabetic rats returned the testis PHGPx activity (136.5 +/- 24.9) to the control level but did not change the value of GPx activity (69.2 +/- 17.4) compared with diabetic group. MDA and protein carbonyl levels in testis were not affected by AG treatment of diabetic rats, but interestingly AG caused SH levels to increase. The results indicate that reactive oxygen radicals were not involved in possible testicular complications of diabetes because diabetes-induced activations of GPx and PHGPx provided protection against oxidative stress, which was reported to be related to some diabetic complications.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Expression in hematopoietic cells of GATA-1 transcripts from the alternative "testis" promoter during development and cell differentiation.

GATA-1 is a transcription factor expressed both in the hematopoietic system and in the Sertoli cells of the testis, and is essential for correct erythropoiesis. Hematopoietic and Sertoli cells transcribe GATA-1 from two different promoters: the proximal (erythroid) is active in hematopoietic cells; the distal (testis) is active in Sertoli cells. We investigated by RT-PCR the possibility that GATA-1 might be transcribed from the testis promoter also in hematopoietic cells. Testis promoter-derived transcripts are present at low levels in vivo at all stages of hematopoietic development. Purified multipotent progenitors, fractionated into populations expressing low or high levels of GATA-1, do not contain any "testis" transcripts. However, when grown in vitro, they rapidly express GATA-1 from the testis promoter in the presence of Erythropoietin (Epo) but not in that of other growth factors. This result reflects an Epo-dependent differentiation event, rather than a direct effect of Epo. Indeed, immortalized progenitor cell lines which respond to both Epo and SCF, continue to express testis-derived transcripts when switched from Epo to SCF.

Alternative Splicing↗