Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “testis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Laparoscopic management for nonpalpable testis].

In this series, we investigated the efficacy and advantage of laparoscopy for management of nonpalpable testis. Laparoscopic examination was performed in 10 boys, involving one with bilateral nonpalpable testis and 9 with a unilateral nonpalpable testis and a contralateral normal one, between August 1991 and September 1993 in our institution. Three testis were diagnosed as intraabdominal and 8 testis were diagnosed as probably intracanalicular with laparoscopy. Two boys with 3 intracanalicular testis underwent laparoscopic clipping of testicular vessels, and about 6 months later, they underwent the second stage of 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. Eight boys, diagnosed as probably intracanalicular type by laparoscopy, underwent surgical exploration with inguinal incision. Of 8 patients, only 1 boy underwent 1-stage orchiopexy, and the other 7 boys underwent orchiectomy because their gonads were extremely hypoplastic. About 1 year after orchiopexy, 3 testes were normal in both size and location. Laparoscopy seems to be useful for both evaluation and treatment of the nonpalpable testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Laparoscopic examination of non-palpable testis].

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of undescended testes are impalpable. They can be located intraabdominally, in the inguinal canal, in ectopic position, or they can be missing. Traditionally, surgical groin exploration has been carried out in such cases, sometimes followed by laparotomy if no testis or spermatic cord could be found in the groin. This approach often involves unnecessary and sometimes too extensive surgery. Laparoscopy facilitates the identification of the testicle or proves the lack of it in a less invasive way. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1986 to 1999, 77 boys aged one year five months to 13 years 7 months underwent laparoscopy for unilateral or bilateral nonpalpable testis in our department. RESULTS: In 72 boys (94%), the findings were conclusive in the form of intraabdominal testis in 26, an intact intraabdominal spermatic cord entering the deep inguinal ring in 27, and a missing testis in 19 boys. INTERPRETATION: Laparoscopy identified the boys who did not require further surgery because the testis was missing, Furthermore, when a testis was found, laparoscopy was helpful in choosing the most appropriate method of orchiopexy. It is concluded that at present, laparoscopy is the preferred method of investigation in boys older than one year of age with nonpalpable testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Use of human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation test to detect a retained testis in a cat.

A 4-year-old male cat was referred because of aggressive behavior and spraying urine. When the cat was 6 months old, only 1 testis was found in the scrotum. When the cat was 1 year old, the scrotal right testis was surgically removed and the left testis was not found, either within the scrotum or within the abdomen. The cat developed male behavior and another laparotomy was performed 1 year later, at which time the left testis could not be located. The cat continued to show male behavior. On referral, the penis was well developed and had spines. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 500 IU, was administered IV. At baseline, 30, and 120 minutes after HCG administration, serum testosterone activity (ng/ml) was 0.68, 5.0, and 10.5, respectively. Laparotomy was performed with the cat under general anesthesia. The left testis was found in the facial plane lateral to the symphysis pubis. Six weeks after the surgery, the HCG stimulation test was repeated and testosterone was not detected in any serum sample. The most practical solution to locate the undescended testis would have been to follow the intact ductus deferens to the testis adjacent to the pubic symphysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Bilateral primary germ cell tumors of the testis: report of two cases and review of the literature].

Bilateral germ cell tumors of the testis are not common. The contralateral tumor may develop simultaneously or sequentially. In both cases, bilateral involvement is postulated to represent two primary tumors. Case 1: A 47-year-old male was seen with a painless nodular mass in the right testis. Physical examination revealed hard swelling of both testes besides a nodule in the right testis. He underwent bilateral radical orchiectomy; and, microscopical both tumors proved to be seminoma. Although bipedal lymphangiography was negative for nodal metastases, postoperative irradiation to the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes was given to a total dose of 5,800 rad. The patient was alive 15 years after treatment for bilateral testicular tumors. Case 2: A 53-year-old male presented with painless left scrotal swelling. Physical examination showed not only an enlarged hard testis in the left scrotum but also a palpable hard mass in the right testis. Bilateral radical orchiectomy was performed and pathological examination revealed pure seminoma in both testes; a 1 cm mass in the right testis and almost completely replaced tumor in the left testis. Evaluation including retroperitoneal lymph node dissection revealed no metastatic disease. Postoperatively, the patient received 1,900 rad of irradiation to the retroperitoneal space. He is well one year after surgery and has no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Previous reports of bilateral germ cell testicular tumors are reviewed and the incidence, age, predisposing factors, interval between the first and second tumors, histology, pathogenesis, prognosis, and management are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Surgical management of the nonpalpable testis: the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia experience.

PURPOSE: The management of the nonpalpable testis permits an individualized operative approach. We analyze the results of surgical management of a large series of patients with a nonpalpable testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1986 and June 1994 we treated 1,866 boys with undescended testes. There were 447 testes (24%) that were not palpable at presentation. Intra-operative data on these patients were collected for age at presentation, bilateral testes position, testicular size, associated inguinal anomalies (vas, epididymis and processus vaginalis) and surgical approach. For intra-abdominal testes postoperative results of 2 surgical techniques, the Fowler-Stephens procedure and Koop orchiopexy (retroperitoneal mobilization of spermatic vessels and vas) were compared in 76 patients with at least 18 months of followup. RESULTS: Average patient age at presentation was 34 months with 63% presenting before age 48 months. Of the impalpable testes 58% were on the left side, 35% were on the right side and 7% were bilateral. At operation 181 testes (41%) were atrophic or absent, 91 (20%) were intra-abdominal with 14 (3.1%) bilateral, 136 (30%) were in the inguinal canal and 39 (9%) were in other locations, including 22 at the pubic tubercle, 2 in the upper scrotum, 13 in the superficial inguinal pouch and 2 in the perineum. Of the intra-abdominal group associated extratesticular malformations were identified in 36 cases (39%). Attachment of the vas deferens to the testis was abnormal in 23 of 64 cases (36%), including 10 that were completely detached and 13 with head or tail attachment only. Of the 91 evaluable cases in the intra-abdominal group 38 (42%) had been treated with the Fowler-Stephens repair (5 in 2 stages), 33 (36%) with inguinal orchiopexy and intraperitoneal dissection without dividing the spermatic vessels, 5 with 2-stage procedures and vessel preservation and 14 (15%) with orchiectomy. One testis was left in situ. The inguinal approach with intraperitoneal extension was successful in defining the testis location or blind-ending vas and vessels in 100% of the cases. A single operation to perform orchiopexy was successful in 92% of the cases. Overall, results were considered excellent or acceptable in 32 of 33 cases (97%) after Koop orchiopexy and 28 of 38 (74%) after the Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Nonpalpable testes accounted for 24% of the patients presenting with undescended testes. At surgical exploration 39% of impalpable testes were distal to the external inguinal ring, 41% were atrophic or absent and 20% were intra-abdominal. All cases were treated through a standard inguinal incision. These data provide evidence that the inguinal approach to orchiopexy with transperitoneal mobilization of the vas and vessels without transection is highly successful for the intra-abdominal cryptorchid testis and, to date, is the preferred technique for the management of the intra-abdominal undescended testis.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1984

Relationship between rete testis fluid secretion and testicular structure in the ram.

A rete testis cannulation technique was used to compare the secretion of rete testis fluid with the production of spermatozoa and histological testicular parameters in Ile-de-France rams. Thirteen testes were cannulated and rete testis fluid variables were compared to histological variables of the same testis. The rate of flow of rete testis fluid was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05%) correlated with testicular size, the area of the walls of the seminiferous tubules and the volume of the Leydig cells. These two latter factors accounted for 66% of the variation in the flow of rete testis fluid.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Hereditary defects in both germ cells and the blood-testis barrier system in as-mutant rats: evidence from spermatogonial transplantation and tracer-permeability analysis.

The rat mutant allele as is located on chromosome 12. Homozygous (as/as) males show arrested spermatogenesis, mainly at the pachytene spermatocyte stage. It is not clear whether this defective spermatogenesis is caused by a failure in a somatic cell component that supports spermatogenesis or in the germ cell itself. Spermatogonial transplantation was performed to identify the genetically defective site in the as/as testis. In experiment 1, germ cells collected from as/as testes were transplanted into the testes of immunodeficient mice and normal rats. In experiment 2, normal rat germ cells were transplanted into as/as testes. The results of experiment 1 showed arrest of spermatogenesis at the pachytene spermatocyte stage, accompanied by a characteristic morphological feature, i.e., the formation of inclusion-like bodies in the cytoplasm, in both rat and mouse recipients. These results revealed the intrinsic effect of the mutant gene(s) on germ cells. In experiment 2, no restoration of spermatogenesis was detected in the recipient testes despite thorough histological examination. These results suggest that defects in a somatic cell component in as/as testes prevent the donor germ cells from colonizing and regaining their spermatogenetic ability. When the seminiferous epithelium of the as/as testis was examined by electron microscopy, no morphological abnormalities, including the formation of ectoplasmic specializations between adjacent Sertoli cells, were observed in the somatic cell components. However, when cytochrome c was applied as a tracer material, it penetrated the tight junctions between the Sertoli cells, indicating dysfunction of the blood-testis barrier in the as/as testis. The lack of restoration of spermatogenesis in the as/as testis after transplantation of normal germ cells may have been caused by the unfavorable environment in the seminiferous epithelium resulting from the incomplete barrier system between adjoining Sertoli cells. The gene(s) at the as locus may have a role in both germ cell differentiation and the establishment of the blood-testis barrier.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Analysis of surface proteins of rat spermatozoa during epididymal transit and identification of antigens common to spermatozoa, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma.

Spermatozoa from the testis and cauda epididymidis of the rat were surface labelled with radioactive iodide, extracted with detergent, and the radioactive proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In some instances spermatozoa were also surface labelled with tritiated borohydride in the presence of galactose oxidase. Soluble proteins in blood serum, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma were also iodinated and separated by gel electrophoresis. In addition, aliquants of the radioactive sperm extracts, blood serum and reproductive tract fluids were each immunoprecipitated with polyspecific antisera directed against either testicular sperm membranes, caudal sperm membranes, blood serum, rete testis fluid or cauda epididymal plasma before gel electrophoresis. From the patterns of radioactive proteins detected on the resultant gels, a two-dimensional map was created for each of the sperm extracts and for the various fluids. Proteins which were nonhomologous between testicular and caudal spermatozoa were identified, as well as proteins which were common to spermatozoa and reproductive tract fluids. Epididymal transit was characterized by the loss of certain proteins from the sperm surface, including three borohydride-labelled proteins of Mr 130 000, and by the addition of others, most notably a highly abundant protein of Mr 42 000. Several of the proteins lost from spermatozoa accumulated in the epididymal plasma whilst some of those added to the sperm surface could be identified as direct secretory products of the epididymis. Rete testis fluid contained blood proteins in addition to others presumed to be testis-specific, whilst the composition of cauda epididymal plasma was markedly different from blood serum or rete testis fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The penetration of chromium-EDTA from blood plasma into various compartments of rat testes as an indicator of function of the blood-testis barrier after exposure of the testes to heat.

The concentration of chromium51-EDTA in blood plasma after an intravenous infusion was found to be about 40 times that present in rete testis fluid and 20 times that in the additional seminiferous tubular fluid resulting from ligation of the efferent ducts. These values indicate the effectiveness of the blood-testis barrier to small water-soluble molecules, like Cr-EDTA. The volume of distribution in microlitres of Cr-EDTA in the parenchyma was about 60% of the volume of the interstitial tissue as determined on frozen sections by morphometry, and was similar, or slightly less, in the ligated testes, compared with the unligated testes. Heating the testes to 43 degrees C for 30 min led to the expected reduction several days later in testis mass, but the volume of distribution of Cr-EDTA was no greater than that in the testes of control rats, and the ratio of Cr-EDTA space to interstitial tissue was not different, while the concentration of Cr-EDTA in the additional seminiferous tubular fluid increased only slightly as testis mass fell. These results indicate that the blood-testis barrier was only slightly less effective, if changed at all, during the period of spermatogenic disruption following local heating of the testis.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Lymphatic system of the human testis].

The distribution of lymph vessels in the human testis was investigated using ink injection methods, light and electron microscopy. Lymph capillaries occur in the septula testis but are absent in the intertubular tissue. They consist of endothelial cells provided with an incomplete basal lamina and bound by anchoring filaments to the adjacent connective tissue. Frequently, the endothelial cells are separated by gaps (measuring up to 2 microns). The lymph capillaries of the septula testis are connected to lymph vessels in the rete testis and tunica albuginea. These vessels have occasional smooth muscle cells and valves. At the posterior margin of the testis, the network of lymphatics merges into collecting ducts that together with vessels derived from the rete testis are drained by lymphatics in the spermatic cord.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Carcinoma in situ of the testis: review of biological and clinical features.

Carcinoma in situ of the testis (CIS) is the uniform precursor of testicular germ-cell tumours. Morphologically, CIS consists of large, intratubular, gonocyte-like cells with large nuclei and abundant glycogen. CIS cells are probably derived from primordial germ cells and are supposed to be present in the testis of a future testis cancer patient at the time of birth. CIS cells appear to spread inside the seminiferous tubules until CIS progresses to invasive cancer. Diagnosis is best achieved by surgical biopsy of the testis and subsequent immunohistological staining of placental alkaline phosphatase (PlAP). This enzyme is present in embryonal germ cells, CIS and seminoma as well as several other types of germ-cell tumour but usually not in normal germ cells. CIS is found in testicular tissue adjacent to testicular germ-cell tumours in about 90% of cases, and it is observed in all clinical groups known to be at risk for testicular cancer: cryptorchidism (2% to 4%), infertility (0% to 1%), ambiguous genitalia (25%) and contralateral testis of patients with testicular cancer (5%). Conversely, CIS is found in less than 1% of the normal male population, and this prevalence corresponds well to the life-time risk of testicular cancer in males. If CIS is left untreated, there is a 50% probability of progressing to frank germ-cell neoplasm within 5 years. Localised low-dose radiotherapy to the testis eradicates CIS and germ cells, while Leydig cells are preserved. The patient can thus be spared orchiectomy and hormone supplementation. Currently, dose-reduction studies are looking for the optimal radiation dose, which is expected to be around 14 to 16 Gy. After chemotherapy, there is a cumulative risk of 42% for recurrence of CIS within 10 years. The concept of CIS offers the chance of very early detection of testicular cancer and organ-preserving early treatment.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1997

beta-Hexosaminidase immunolocalization and alpha- and beta-subunit gene expression in the rat testis and epididymis.

beta-hexosaminidase is an essential lysosomal enzyme whose absence in man results in a group of disorders, the G(M2) gangliosidoses. beta-hexosaminidase activity is many times higher in the epididymis than in other tissues, is present in sperm, and is postulated to be required for mammalian fertilization. To better understand which cells are responsible for beta-hexosaminidase expression and how it is regulated in the male reproductive system, we quantitated the mRNA expression of the alpha- and beta-subunits of beta-hexosaminidase and carried out immunocytochemical localization studies of the enzyme in the rat testis and epididymis. beta-hexosaminidase alpha-subunit mRNA was abundant and differentially expressed in the adult rat testis and epididymis, at 13- and 2-fold brain levels, respectively. In contrast, beta-subunit mRNA levels in the testis and epididymis were 0.3- and 5-fold brain levels. During testis development from 7-91 postnatal days of age, testis levels of alpha-subunit mRNA increased 10-fold and coincided with the appearance of spermatocytes and spermatids in the epithelium; in contrast, beta-subunit mRNA was expressed at low levels throughout tests development. In isolated male germ cells, beta-hexosaminidase alpha-subunit expression was most abundant in haploid round spermatids, whereas the beta-subunit mRNA was not detected in germ cells. Within the epididymis both alpha- and beta-subunit mRNA concentrations were highest in the corpus, with 1.5-fold and 9-fold initial segment values, respectively. Light microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that beta-hexosaminidase was localized to Sertoli cells and interstitial macrophages in the testis. In the epididymis, beta-hexosaminidase staining was most intense in narrow cells in the initial segment, principal cells in the caput and proximal corpus, and clear cells throughout the duct. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that beta-hexosaminidase was predominantly present in lysosomes in Sertoli and epididymal cells. The cellular and regional specificity of beta-hexosaminidase immunolocalization suggest an important role for the enzyme in testicular and epididymal functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Novel, testis-specific mRNA transcripts encoding N-terminally truncated choline acetyltransferase.

Previous studies reported the presence of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA and protein in the mammalian testis. We have now found that none of the ChAT mRNAs produced in the testis is capable of encoding a full-length ChAT protein. Two ChAT cDNAs were isolated from an adult rat testis cDNA library encoding N-terminally truncated ChAT proteins of 450 and 414 amino acids (aa), respectively, the former containing a novel N-terminal extension of 69 residues. Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) analysis revealed a complex pattern of 5' untranslated mRNA termini generated from the ChAT gene locus in the testis, all representing truncated versions of the ChAT enzyme. Two of these proteins were produced in transfected fibroblasts and found to lack ChAT activity. Neither did they show binding to the ChAT substrates, acetyl CoA and choline, in a competition assay. These results indicate that mammalian testis lacks a bona fide ChAT enzyme but expresses truncated ChAT proteins with a possible unique function to the testis.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2000

Expression of lactate dehydrogenases A and B during chicken spermatogenesis: characterization of testis specific transcripts.

The substrates required for glycolysis change markedly at successive stages of spermatogenesis suggesting a considerable plasticity in the expression of glycolytic enzymes. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes, LDH-A and LDH-B, are expressed in premeiotic, meiotic cells, and early spermatids, both in avian and mammalian spermatogenesis. Highly polyadenylated forms, particularly of LDH-A, were detected in chicken testis. While mammals and columbid birds express the testis specific LDH-C gene in meiotic and postmeiotic cells, several LDH-B testis specific transcripts were detected in the corresponding cells during chicken spermatogenesis. These testis specific transcripts and the mRNA of mammalian LDH-C show several properties in common, such as temporal correlation of expression, mRNA stability, and repression of premature translation. These observations suggest that the testis specific transcripts could perform during chicken spermatogenesis the functions of the LDH-C mRNA in mammalian testis.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2001

Testis ecdysiotropin, an insect gonadotropin that induces synthesis of ecdysteroid.

Testes of lepidoptera synthesized ecdysteroid in a somewhat different temporal pattern than the prothoracic glands that release ecdysteroid to the hemolymph. Brain extracts from Heliothis virescens and Lymantria dispar induced testes to synthesize ecdysteroid, but did not affect prothoracic glands. The testis ecdysiotropin (LTE) was isolated from L. dispar pupal brains by a series of high-pressure chromatography steps. Its sequence was Ile-Ser-Asp-Phe-Asp-Glu-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Leu-Asn-Asp-Ala-Asp-Asn-Asn-Glu-Val-Leu-Asp-Phe-OH, of molecular mass 2,473 Daltons. The predominant signaling pathway for LTE was via G(i) protein, IP3, diacylglycerol and PKC; a modulating pathway, apparently mediated by an angiotensin II-like peptide, was controlled via G(s) protein, cAMP, and PKA. Testis ecdysteroid caused isolated testis sheaths to also synthesize a growth factor that induced development of the male genital tract. The growth factor appeared to be a glycoprotein similar to vertebrate alpha-1-glycoprotein. A polyclonal antibody to LTE indicated LTE-like peptide in L. dispar brain medial neurosecretory cells, the suboesophageal, and other ganglia, and also in its target organ, the testis sheath. LTE immunoreactivity was also seen in testis sheaths of Rhodnius prolixus. LTE-like immunoactivity was also detected in developing optic lobes, antennae, frontal ganglia, and elongating spermatids of developing L. dispar pupae. This may indicate that LTE has a role in development as well as stimulation of testis ecdysteroid synthesis. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Preparation of microtubules from rat liver and testis: cytoplasmic dynein is a major microtubule associated protein.

A microtubule associated protein from brain tissue (MAP 1C), has been found to possess many properties in common with ciliary and flagellar dyneins (Paschal et al.:J. Cell Biol. 105:1273-1282, 1987). However, this protein, now designated as cytoplasmic dynein, exhibited several properties which distinguish it from axonemal forms of the enzyme. We have investigated these characteristics further in a study of cytoplasmic dyneins from non-neuronal tissues. Rat liver and testis in particular were found to contain high levels of cytoplasmic dynein. The yield of dynein from testis was over 70 micrograms/g of tissue, making this the best source of cytoplasmic dynein of all tissues so far examined. The characterization of dynein from these sources has confirmed and extended our previous observations concerning the unique properties of cytoplasmic dynein. Activation of liver and testis dynein occurred at low (less than 1 mg/ml) tubulin concentration. Polypeptides identified as subunits of brain cytoplasmic dynein (74, 59, 57, 55, and 53 kDa) were present in liver and testis preparations. In addition, polypeptides at 150 and 45 kDa were found to copurify with the non-neuronal dyneins. The liver and testis enzyme hydrolyzed pyrimidine nucleotides at rates up to 12.5 times faster than ATP, though the relative affinity of cytoplasmic dynein for CTP was much lower (Km = 1.0 mM) than that for ATP. The properties of the testis enzyme were consistent with its identification as a cytoplasmic dynein rather than a sperm axonemal precursor. These data indicate that cytoplasmic dyneins may be widespread in distribution and that they share certain biochemical properties unique from those of axonemal dyneins. These characteristics are consistent with the proposal that cytoplasmic dynein plays a universal role in retrograde organelle motility.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2002

Pharmacokinetics of THC in brain and testis, male gametotoxicity and premature apoptosis of spermatozoa.

An earlier report described the pharmacokinetics of delta-9 THC and the resulting brain function responses. In the present studies the pharmacokinetics of THC in plasma, brain and testis were related to impairment of spermatogenesis. THC- containing preparations, whatever their route of administration, were associated with the induction of gametotoxicity in all species studied including man. The pharmacokinetics and molecular binding of THC is similar in all experimental models. Concentrations of THC in plasma, fat, testis, brain and spleen were measured following administration of tracer amounts of C(14) delta-8 THC labelled at the C(11) position. Rats were administered 2 microCi of the tracer by i.m. injection, and killed at regular intervals after a single or multiple dose of the label. After a single dose, the maximal radioactivity was reached in brain after 2 and 4 h and amounted to 0.06% of the administered dose. In the testis, the concentration did not exceed 0.023% of the administered dose. In epididymal fat, the total radioactivity after 4 h was five times higher than in the brain and after 24 h it was eight times greater. After multiple injections of C(14) THC, concentrations of the drug remained low in the plasma, brain and testis not exceeding 2-7 ng/g, but the epididymal fat tracer concentration was 40-80 times higher. Plasma concentrations of C(14) THC were of the same magnitude as those measured by GCMS in the plasma of men exposed to marihuana smoke or THC, and in whom alterations of spermatogenesis were observed. In these studies, plasma THC ranged from 9.5x10(12) M to 2.4x10(14) M. These data illustrate the efficiency of the blood-brain barrier and blood-testicular barrier in limiting the storage of THC into brain and testis. During chronic exposure to THC the pharmacokinetic molecular mechanisms which limit the storage of THC in the brain and testis are not sufficient to prevent a persistent deregulation of membrane signalling and the induction of functional and morphological changes which reflect a premature apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. Long term, longitudinal epidemiological studies have reported decreased spermatogenesis in healthy, fertile adult males. But no study has been initiated to relate the oligospermia of this population to the consumption of widely used psychoactive drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Serological immune response to cancer testis antigens in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Serological screening approaches have allowed for the identification of a large number of potentially relevant tumor antigens in cancer patients. Within this group, cancer testis antigens represent promising targets for cancer immunotherapy, since they are widely expressed in a variety of human cancer entities. In pancreatic cancer, however, there are only few data available about the expression pattern and serological response to cancer testis antigens and other serological-defined tumor antigens. Therefore, we investigated the IgG antibody response against 11 cancer testis antigens (SCP-1, GAGE, LAGE-1a,-1b, CT-7, NY-ESO-1, SSX-1-5) recombinantly expressed on yeast surface (RAYS) in patients with pancreatic cancer (n = 96), chronic pancreatitis (n = 18) and healthy donors (n = 48). We found in 14% of all patients antibody responses to SCP-1, but not to other cancer testis antigens (GAGE, LAGE-1a,-1b, CT-7, NY-ESO-1, SSX-1-5). Antibody response correlated with the expression of SCP-1 in the primary tumor of the respective patient as shown by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In contrast, no serological response to cancer testis antigens was observed in healthy donors. The humoral immune response against SCP-1 was associated with the size of tumor, but not with other clinico-pathological parameters such as histology, stage, presence of lymph node metastases, grading, age, gender or gemcitabine treatment. In conclusion, antibody response to cancer testis antigen SCP-1 is found in a proportion of pancreatic carcinoma patients. These results indicate that identification of additional tumor antigens by serological screening of tumor cDNA expression libraries by RAYS is a promising goal in pancreatic cancer.

Aged↗