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PubMed1992

The effect of hypophysectomy on proluminal movement of 3H-androgens across the epididymal epithelium in the rat.

The effect of hypophysectomy on transepithelial movement of 3H-androgen in the rat epididymis was examined by using in vivo microperifusion of 3H-testosterone followed by in vivo micropuncture to obtain peritubular and intraluminal fluids. Experiments were performed on animals without hypophysectomy or on animals 5-6 days after hypophysectomy and 9-10 days after hypophysectomy. Tubules were perifused with Minimum Essential Medium containing 3H-testosterone. 14C-polyethyleneglycol was included in the perifusion fluid as a marker for contamination of the intraluminal fluid by peritubular fluid. Radioactivity of isotopes in the interstitial and intraluminal fluid was determined at 1 and 2 hours after perifusion and the percentage of peritubular isotopes appearing in the intraluminal fluid was determined. A sperm concentration microassay was performed on micropuncture samples from the epididymal tubules to assess testicular contribution to the lumen content. Proluminal movement of 3H-androgen and intratubular sperm concentrations in the caput epididymal tubules of rats 9-10 days after hypophysectomy were significantly decreased. Proluminal movement of 3H-androgen and intratubular sperm concentrations in the cauda epididymal tubules of rats 9-10 days after hypophysectomy were significantly increased. These results suggest that proluminal androgen movement is controlled by the presence of some testicular product in the epididymal lumen.

Androgens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of different cryoprotectants and the temperature of addition on the survival of red deer epididymal spermatozoa.

With the aim of finding an ideal cryoprotectant in a suitable concentration for red deer epididymal spermatozoa conservation, we evaluated the effects of four most commonly used cryoprotectants (CPAs), Glycerol (G), Ethylene glycol (EG), Propylene glycol (PG), and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the sperm survival. Besides, the effects of two temperatures of CPA addition--22 degrees C (ambient temperature) and 5 degrees C--on sperm quality were also tested. For each temperature tested, sperm samples were evaluated after 0, 15, 30 and 60 min of spermatozoa exposition to CPAs. Thus, sperm quality was in vitro judged by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility (SMI), and of plasma membrane (Viability) and acrosome (NAR) integrities. Overall, DMSO showed the highest toxicity for red deer epididymal spermatozoa, and glycerol the lowest. Thus, at 60 min of incubation SMI results showed that the toxicity to red deer epididymal spermatozoa of the four CPAs are in the following sequence: G approximately = EG approximately = PG < DMSO ('less than' symbol means P < 0.05, and approximate symbol means P = 0.08). Furthermore, our results also showed a differential response of acrosome membrane to temperature of CPAs addition. Regardless of the CPA used, statistically significant variations (P < 0.05) were found between the two temperatures of addition of CPAs for acrosome integrity, the best being 22 degrees C (NAR = 83.8% vs. 69.8%). These data indicate that sperm quality of red deer epididymal spermatozoa, in addition to be affected by the cryoprotectant, can also be influenced by the temperature at which CPAs are added prior to freezing.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alteration of the ecto-protein phosphorylation profile of intact goat spermatozoa during epididymal maturation.

Intact cauda-epididymal mature and caput-epididymal immature goat spermatozoa were assessed for their capacity to phosphorylate the outer surface proteins upon incubation in a modified Ringer's solution containing [delta-32P]ATP. The immature spermatozoa possessed markedly greater (approximately 7-fold) efficacy to phosphorylate the ecto-proteins than the mature cells. Autoradiographic analysis of the 32P-labelled proteins resolved by SDS-PAGE, showed that multiple sperm ecto-proteins are phosphorylated by an endogenous ecto-cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase (CIK) and the phosphorylation profile of these proteins underwent marked alteration during the epididymal sperm maturation. The intact caput-sperm as well showed nearly 4-fold higher specific activity of ecto-CIK than the cauda-sperm when the kinase activity was estimated using phosvitin as the exogenous protein substrate. The data suggest that the ecto-CIK and its specific protein substrates located on the sperm outer-surface, may have important roles in regulating the epididymal maturation of the male gametes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The testicular and epididymal luminal amino acid microenvironment in the rat.

Concentrations of amino acids were measured in arterial and testicular venous blood, and in fluids from the seminiferous tubule, rete testis, and the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of any amino acids between arterial and testicular venous blood, whereas there were significant differences between arterial/venous blood and testicular interstitial fluid. The predominant amino acids measured within seminiferous tubule fluid (STF) and rete testis fluid (RTF) were glycine, alanine, glutamate, and glutamine. RTF contained approximately equal concentrations of basic and total amino acids, but 17 times higher acidic amino acids and 1.2 and 1.3 times lower uncharged polar and nonpolar amino acids, respectively, compared to STF. The concentration of total amino acids within caput fluid reached over 50 nmol/L, but then declined to approximately 50% and 0.1% of caput for corpus and cauda, respectively. The predominant amino acids measured within epididymal luminal fluids were glutamate and taurine; glutamate contributed to approximately 90% of the total amino acids measured in caput fluid. The presence of glutamate and taurine within the epididymal lumen is due primarily to a direct contribution from the epididymal epithelium, as measured using the split-drop stopped-flow microperfusion technique. Several other amino acids within the lumen also originate from the epididymal epithelium. Amino acids contribute approximately 20%, 9%, and 2% of the total osmolality of caput, corpus, and cauda fluid, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1986

[Epididymal prognostic factor in epididymo-deferential anastomosis].

Results of a 1981 study are complemented and analyzed with respect to epididymal histology in 94 patients undergoing uni- or bilateral epididymo-deferential anastomosis. Testicular histology was normal in all patients. Epididymal histology could be differentiated into two main groups: one with normal or only slightly altered epididymis, the other with major epididymal lesions. Repermeabilization was more frequent and of better quality (10 X 10(6) sperm/ml or more) in the first group, in which there were also all the pregnancies. Previous genital infection or injury is of poor prognosis due to the severe epididymal lesions present.

Epididymis↗
PubMed1979

Regulation of epididymal function and sperm maturation--endocrine approach to fertility control in male.

The structural and functional integrity of the epididymis, the acquisition of fertilizing ability by spermatozoa and their viability within the epididymis are androgen dependent phenomena. Although the precise mechanism by which sperm maturation and viability in the epididymis are brought about by androgen are not clearly understood, it is generally held that specific epididymal secretions produced under the influence of androgen affect these events. Though the spermatozoa appear to remain viable in a low androgen environment, sperm maturation requires a relatively high androgen environment. Against this background the potentiality of antiandrogens as extragonadal antifertility agents has been discussed. Studies with steroidal and nonsteroidal antiandrogens have revealed that in adult animals the secretory activity of the epididymis, as evidenced by the level of glycerylphosphorylcholine, either remains unaffected or is stimulated under their influence. These studies have further indicated that the extragonadal antifertility action of antiandrogens will depend upon their ability to (1) lower the testicular androgen synthesis and/or androgen binding protein, which possibly serves as a carrier of androgen from the testis to epididymis; (2) to lower local androgen synthesis as a result of reduced levels of circulating androgen, and (3) to inhibit 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and/or to inhibit androgen binding to receptors. Success in the rational development of new antifertility agents for male which will act by controlling epididymal function will depend upon a clear understanding of the factors that regulate epididymal secretion and the role of epididymal secretions in sperm maturation and survival.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stereology: a new quantitative morphological method to study epididymal function.

Stereology is a method to obtain quantitative information of structural changes at the light and electron microscopic level. The basic principles of stereology are outlined below. This paper shows how stereologic techniques can be used to obtain structural data from histologic and electron micrographs of intact tissue and cells. A stereologic model, which provides information on the structure of the epididymis has been developed for the rat epididymal head. The model consists of morphologically defined space and membrane compartments of the rat epididymal head and the principal cells. The alterations, induced in the principal cell of the epididymal head after long term hypophysectomy were studied by electron microscopy. The results presented are relative to a cubic centimeter of epididymal tissue, a cubic centimeter of principal cells and principal cell cytoplasm. An attempt to relate stereologic and biochemical data is shown.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Evidence for active transport of 3H-androgens across the epididymal epithelium in the rat.

The effect of metabolic inhibitors on transepithelial movement of 3H-androgens was investigated by in vivo perifusion and subsequent micropuncture of caput and cauda epididymal tubules. Epididymal tissue (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations were determined at 1 h after exposure of perifusion fluid with metabolic inhibitor. To determine whether or not metabolic inhibitor alters intraluminal androgen-binding protein concentration or androgen binding to interstitial proteins in the caput epididymis, 3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding to interaluminal androgen-binding protein and bound vs free androgen ratio in the interstitial fluid after 1 h perifusion with fluid containing metabolic inhibitor around caput epididymal tubules were examined. Proluminal movement of 3H-androgens and tissue ATP concentrations in the caput and cauda epididymis were significantly decreased by addition of dinitrophenol (DNP) or potassium cyanide to the perifusion fluid. Relative intraluminal androgen-binding protein protein concentration and bound vs free 3H-androgen ratio in the interstitial fluid were not altered when DNP or potassium cyanide was added to the perifusion fluid. These results demonstrate for the first time that an energy-dependent mechanism may be involved in the epididymal androgen uptake.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of seminal plasma on motion characteristics of epididymal and ejaculated stallion spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees C.

The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of seminal plasma on motion characteristics of epididymal and ejaculated equine spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees C. Epididymal spermatozoa were flushed with either seminal plasma or a skim milk-glucose extender. Ejaculated spermatozoa were collected with extender added 10 minutes after semen collection and addition of extender during ejaculation by placing 50 ml extender in the collection bottle. Semen samples were centrifuged and resuspended with a skim milk-glucose extender containing seminal plasma (0, 5 and 25%; v/v), prepared from pooled ejaculates from the semen donors. The percentage of motile spermatozoa and the average path velocity were evaluated by computerized semen analysis before and after centrifugation as well as after 24 and 48 h of cooled storage (5 degrees C). In epididymal samples flushed with seminal plasma versus extender, percentage of motile spermatozoa and spermatozoal velocity ws significantly higher before and after centrifugation but not at 24 and 48 h of cooled storage. Method of semen collection did not influence motility of ejaculated spermatozoa before centrifugation. Adding seminal extender during ejaculation had a significant beneficial effect at 0 and 48 h on the percentage of motile spermatozoa but not average path velocity (25% seminal plasma). There were significant differences between stallions but the stallion/ejaculate-treatment interaction was not significant at 0, 24 and 48 h. Spermatozoal motility during cooled storage of epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa was significantly better maintained in samples containing 25% versus 0% seminal plasma. Spermatozoal motility during cooled storage was affected after spermatozoa had been exposed to seminal plasma for only 10 min after ejaculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[A case of bilateral epididymal leiomyomas].

A case of bilateral epididymal leiomyomas is reported. A 62-year-old man was referred to our hospital under the suspicion of left testicular tumor. A small hen-egg sized painless mass was palpated in the left scrotum and a little-finger-tip-sized mass in the right scrotum. At the operation, bilateral epididymal tumors were revealed, left high orchiectomy and right epididymectomy were performed. Gross evaluation revealed elastic hard tumors at the tail of bilateral epididymis. The left tumor was 40mm in diameter and the right was 10mm. On the cut surface, the tumors were yellowish and solid. Histopathologically they were diagnosed as epididymal leiomyoma. We reviewed 75 cases of epididymal leiomyoma reported in the Japanese literature. Bilateral cases accounted for 21% of the 75 cases.

Epididymis↗
PubMed1994

[Epididymal sperm invasion apparently suggestive of a testicular tumor].

A 49-year-old man visited the outpatient clinic suffering from painless swelling of the left testicular content which he had recognized 1 week earlier. The lower portion of the testis or the epididymis gave rise to a thumb-head sized irregular tumor. At the exploring operation, the tumor was revealed to be the swollen epididymal tail. Epididymectomy was performed. Microscopically, the tumor was diagnosed as an epididymal granuloma invaded by many sperm, histiocytes, macrophages, neutrophil leukocytes and lymphocytes around the epididymal tubules. Eight cases of epididymal sperm invasion reported in Japan during the recent 20 years are reviewed and briefly discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1993

LESP, an androgen-regulated lizard epididymal secretory protein family identified as a new member of the lipocalin superfamily.

The sperm coating lizard epididymal secretory protein (LESP) family forms a complex of nine elements that are specifically synthesized under androgenic control and secreted by the epididymal epithelial cells of the lizard Lacerta vivipara. We report here the cloning and sequencing of an 806-base pair full-length cDNA (C731) encoding one of the elements of the LESP family. Southern blot hybridization analysis of lizard total genomic DNA revealed a complex band pattern, suggesting that LESPs are encoded by a multigenic family. The cDNA open reading frame of 516 nucleotides, starting at an ATG codon, encodes a protein precursor of 172 amino acids with a calculated M(r) = 19,500. The corresponding mature form of M(r) = 17,200 and pI = 5.2 has been identified as the element LESP IV, and presents significant similarities to the different members of the large lipocalin protein superfamily, and especially to mouse epididymal protein ESP I. Lipocalins are extracellular proteins that share a common basic framework for the transport of small hydrophobic molecules like retinoids, thus suggesting that LESPs could be such transporters into the epididymal fluid during the sperm maturation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regulation of the epididymal synthesis of P26h, a hamster sperm protein.

We have previously identified a 26-kDa epididymal hamster sperm glycoprotein (P26h) that is involved in gamete interaction. This protein is added to the acrosomal cap during epididymal transit of spermatozoa. Because the epididymis secretes proteins under androgen control, the aim of this study was to document the testicular control of the epididymal ontogenesis of P26h. The cytosolic fraction of the epididymides of male hamsters of different ages, prepared by ultracentrifugation, was used as well as those from mature males at different times following castration. These extracts were Western blotted and probed with an anti-P26h antiserum. P26h was initially immunodetectable in extracts prepared from hamsters 4 weeks of age, and the signal increased up to the 7th week of age. The P26h signal decreased rapidly after castration until the antigen was undetectable at 3 days following castration. Administration of testosterone to 3-week-old male hamsters resulted in the epididymal expression of P26h earlier than that observed in untreated or control animals. These results suggest that P26h protein expression in hamster epididymis is under testicular androgen control.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Association of epididymal anomalies with patent processus vaginalis in hernia, hydrocele and cryptorchidism.

PURPOSE: We performed a prospective study to assess the relationship between epididymal anomalies and patency of the processus vaginalis in boys presenting with hernia, hydrocele or cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The degree of patency of the processus vaginalis (closed, partially closed or open) and morphology of the ipsilateral epididymis were recorded in 159 consecutive inguinal explorations. RESULTS: A closed, partially closed and open processus vaginalis was associated with an abnormal epididymis in 14, 36 and 69% of cases, respectively. Epididymal anomalies were more frequent in association with undescended (72%) than descended (34%) testes. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the observation of a higher incidence of epididymal anomalies associated with patency of the processus vaginalis irrespective of testicular position, and they support the theory that androgenic stimulation may be required for closure of the processus vaginalis as well as epididymal development.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Microsurgical autogenous sperm reservoir with simultaneous epididymal sperm aspiration: a novel approach for the man with surgically unreconstructable obstruction.

The purpose of this article is to present a technique for microsurgical marsupialization of an epididymal tubule to the tunica vaginalis to create an autogenous sperm reservoir (ASR) with simultaneous epididymal aspiration. This procedure is offered to men with bilateral congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAV) or otherwise surgically unreconstructable reproductive tracts. Sperm (mean +/- standard error of the mean, 33 +/- 13 x 10(6)) have been percutaneously recovered by fine needle aspiration of an ASR in 47% (7/15) of men. Motile sperm have been recovered as long as 2 years following surgery. Simultaneous epididymal aspiration at the time of marsupialization has yielded a mean of 20.2 +/- 6.9 x 10(6) total sperm per aspirate. Thawed sperm, recovered and cryopreserved at the time of ASR surgery, has been successfully employed for two couples in pregnancies achieved with in vitro fertilization. The microsurgical ASR is a viable alternative in the treatment of men with CAV or otherwise unreconstructable reproductive tracts. Simultaneous epididymal sperm aspiration maximizes a couples fertility options with a single surgical procedure.

Cryopreservation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rat testicular germ cells and epididymal sperm contain active P450 aromatase.

Although testosterone is the principal sex steroid produced by the testis, estrogen is known to be produced by both Leydig and Sertoli cells during different developmental periods. Additionally, evidence is unfolding to suggest that germ cells might also participate in the synthesis of estrogen within the male reproductive tract. We have recently reported that the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for P450 aromatase (P450arom), the enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen, is synthesized by rat germ cells. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine which germ cell types synthesize active P450arom and to measure the activity of this enzyme in germ cells throughout spermatogenesis and in maturing sperm during epididymal transit. First, P450arom activity was measured in pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids, and a mixture of round spermatids, elongating spermatids, and residual bodies using the tritiated water (3H2O) assay. Second, sperm isolated from different regions of the epididymis were assayed for P450arom activity. Sperm isolated from the caput epididymis with attached efferent ductules had the higher P450arom activity, whereas sperm isolated from the corpus and cauda epididymides had lower P450arom activity. The decrease in P450arom activity in cauda sperm was further confirmed by immunocytochemistry. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that rat testicular germ cells from pachytene spermatocytes through elongating spermatids and epididymal sperm contain active P450arom and that sperm lose aromatase activity as they mature during epididymal transit. Therefore, both post-pachytene rat germ cells and epididymal sperm are capable of estrogen synthesis and are an additional, potentially significant, source of estrogen in the male reproductive tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of the fertilization rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using ejaculated sperms, epididymal sperms and testicular sperms.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been successfully used to achieve fertilization and pregnancies for patients with extreme oligoastheno-zoospermia using ejaculated sperms or patients with azoospermia using epididymal or testicular sperms. The aim of this study was to compare the fertilization rate after ICSI using ejaculated, epididymal and testicular sperms. Between January and September 1997, 10 azoospermic men underwent percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) to recover sperm for ICSI. A total of 5 PESA cases and 5 TESE cases were performed at the Center for Assisted Reproduction & Embryology. Thirty-one patients performed ICSI using ejaculated sperms during the same period of time were used as a control group. ICSI using ejaculated sperms, epididymal sperms from PESA and testicular sperms from TESE was a highly successful technique, achieving fertilization rates of 78.5 per cent, 83.3 per cent and 80.8 per cent, respectively. Good fertilization rates were achieved without significant differences among the various sperm sources.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1999

Effects of ethanol treatment on epididymal secretory products and sperm maturation in albino rats.

Alcoholics are often associated with fertility disturbances with low sperm count and impaired sperm motility. Spermatozoa attains forward motility and fertilizing capacity during their transit through the epididymis. Epididymal secretory products form a suitable microenvironment, which favors sperm maturation. To study the effects of ethanol on epididymal sperm maturation, ethanol (3 g/kg body weight as 25%, v/v) was given by gastric intubation twice daily for 30 days, and in another group, rats given treatment for 30 days were withdrawn of treatment for a further period of 30 days to assess the reversibility of ethanol-induced changes. Serum and epididymidal testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), epididymidal tissue and sperm carnitine, acetyl carnitine, glycerylphosphoryl choline (GPC), and sialic acid were studied along with epididymidal sperm count and cauda epididymidal sperm motility. Ethanol treatment significantly reduced the epididymal tissue/sperm carnitine, acetyl carnitine, GPC, and sialic acid, suggesting its adverse effect on these secretory products. Impaired cauda epididymidal sperm motility and fertility (in vivo) of ethanol-treated rats imply the defective sperm maturation. All these changes were reverted back to normalcy after withdrawal of ethanol treatment, indicating the transient effects of ethanol. In conclusion, it is evident that ethanol has an adverse effect on sperm maturation, which may be affected due to the decrease in serum/epididymal testosterone and DHT level and epididymal secretory products.

Acetylcarnitine↗