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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Evidence for adrenergic transmission in the circular smooth muscle of the guinea-pig seminal vesicle.

Spontaneous contractile activity of the circular smooth muscle of the guinea-pig seminal vesicle consists of twitch-like contractions with a mean frequency of 2.7/min. The amplitude of responses to repetitive stimulation depended on the frequency of stimulation at constant pulse duration and on the pulse durations at constant frequency of stimulation. Mechanical summation in the tension development was observed at low frequency of repetitive stimulation. Adrenaline, noradrenaline and phenylephrine increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions. The excitatory actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline were antagonized by phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine. DOPA, metanephrine and normetanephrine were not effective. Tyramine enhanced the spontaneous activity and its action was antagonized by phentolamine. Isoprenaline, at high concentrations, enhanced spontaneous activity, but in the presence of phentolamine, the spontaneous activity was inhibited by isoprenaline and orciprenaline. Isoprenaline inhibited the enhanced spontaneous activity induced by adrenaline, noradrenaline and tyramine. Spontaneous contractions were potentiated by tetrodotoxin, procaine, guanethidine and dibenamine but were not affected by nicotine and phenoxybenzamine. Evoked responses to repetitive stimulation were blocked or suppressed by tetrodotoxin, yohimbine, nicotine, guanethidine and phentolamine. The evoked responses were partially inhibited by phenoxybenzamine. In contrast, evoked responses were enhanced by hexamethonium and dibenamine. These results provide further support for the conclusion that the innervation of the circular smooth muscle of the guinea pig seminal vesicle is mainly alpha-excitatory adrenergic.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Seminal vesicle secretion of African catfish, its composition, its behaviour in water and saline solutions and its influence on gamete fertilizability.

The seminal vesicle secretion (SVS) of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was investigated by analytical and experimental methods. SVS consists mainly of proteins and glycoproteins which are responsible for its viscous and sticky nature. The secretion contains also high activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and proteases. These catabolic enzymes do not have functions in autolysis or liquefaction of SVS but are considered to eliminate aging spermatozoa from the proximal portions of seminal vesicle and from the spermatic duct. SVS of the African catfish is unstable in the environment relevant for natural spawning. When SVS was mixed with water, seminal plasma or different types of saline solutions its protein coagulated forming fibrous or granular particles of variable size within a few seconds. Pure SVS completely inhibited the motility as the sticky secretion hindered spermatozoa in free swimming. SVS had also a negative effect on sperm fertility, egg fertility, and sperm egg contact, as the fertilization was drastically suppressed in the presence of SVS. Basing on our analytical and experimental results we exclude that SVS has functions in stabilizing the viability of spermatozoa stored in the spermatic ducts or is an energy resource of spermatozoa. It also does not improve or stabilize the fertilization process and has no functions in adhering the eggs to substrates or in covering the eggs for mechanical protection or antibacterial defense. A function of SVS in the male and female communication during the prenuptial spawning behaviour is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Investigation of the mechanism of decreased sensitivity of the rat seminal vesicle to norepinephrine by lithium.

Li+ is reported to reduce sensitivity of alpha-adrenergic receptors to NE. The present investigation was designed to investigate the mechanism of this decreased sensitivity on the rat isolated seminal vesicle. In innervated preparations, 1.35 X 10(-3) M Li+ (i) shifted the concentration-response curves of NE, methoxamine, ACh and BaCl2 to the right and reduced their maximum responses; (ii) antagonized the leftward shift and the enhancement of maximum responses to NE by cocaine (2.9 X 10(-4) M), and (iii) reduced only the maximum responses to KCl. In denervated preparations, 1.35 X 10 (-3) M Li+ shifted the concentration response curve of NE to the left without any change in the maximum responses. The antagonistic effects of Li+ on maximal responses to NE, ACh and KCl observed in innervated preparations were significantly increased in Ca++-free medium. Li+ (1.35 X 10(-3) M) increased NE uptake by the seminal vesicle significantly. It is concluded that decreased sensitivity of the seminal vesicle to NE by Li+ could be due to an increase in the uptake of NE and to a nonspecific postsynaptic spasmolytic action.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

cDNA cloning of androgen-stimulated mRNAs in rat seminal vesicles: partial characterization of newly isolated cDNA clones, pSv-1 and pSv-2.

As the first step in surveying the molecular mechanism of androgen-responsive gene expression in rat seminal vesicles, the effect of androgen on the mRNAs was examined by in vitro translation assay. When the in vitro translation products of mRNAs from castrated animals (48 h) were compared with those from castrated and testosterone-treated animals (48 h) by SDS-PAGE, several discrete bands which were stimulated or repressed in response to androgen were observed in addition to major peptide bands of SVS IV and SVS V. From these findings, we constructed a partial cDNA library from the seminal vesicle poly(A +)RNAs of androgen-treated rats and screened by differential colony hybridization. Two distinct cDNA clones, pSv-1 and pSv-2, whose mRNAs were differentially stimulated in response to androgen and seemed to be expressed specifically in the seminal vesicles, were isolated. pSv-1 and pSv-2 hybridized to mRNAs of 1,600 and 3,500 nucleotides in length, respectively. These cDNA sequences, newly isolated in the present study, may provide useful probes for the study of molecular mechanism of androgen-responsive gene expression.

Androgens↗
PubMed1990

Androgen-induced changes in nuclear pore number and in tight junctions in rat seminal vesicle epithelium.

The numbers of nuclear pore complexes and tight junctions were quantified in the seminal vesicle epithelial cells of castrated and castrated-plus-androgen-treated male rats, which received subcutaneous pellets of testosterone propionate (1 mg/kg body weight) for 1 week. Seminal vesicle weights were 0.284 +/- 0.02 g for castrated, 1.006 +/- 0.006 g for androgen-treated, and 0.918 +/- 0.04 g for untreated groups. Tissue samples were processed for light or electron microscopy and for freeze-fracture techniques. Nuclear areas were measured: controls were 279.34 +/- 8 microns 2; these increased significantly (P less than .001) in castrated-plus-androgen-treated rats (324.66 +/- 11 microns 2) and decreased (P less than .001) in castrated animals (173.14 +/- 6.3 microns 2). Nuclear pore density increased (P less than .001) in castrated-plus-androgen-stimulated rats (5.38 +/- 0.24 pores/microns 2) (control: 4.78 +/- 0.14 pores/microns 2), and decreased (P less than .001) in castrated rats (3.16 +/- 0.14 pores/microns 2). A significant (P less than .001) increase in numbers of tight junction strands that extended in the lateral cell membranes was detected in castrated-plus-androgen-treated rats vs. controls or castrated-only animals.

Androgens↗
PubMed1990

[Carcinoma of the seminal vesicles. Apropos of a case].

The authors report a rare case of carcinoma of the seminal vesicles, which, in their opinion, presents a two-fold interest: 1. A nosological interest, since in the event of a tumour of the prostatic urethra, a possible tumour of the seminal vesicles is seldom invoked. 2. The second interest is a clinical and semeiological one since the diagnosis was reached only after an explorative laparotomy was carried out, followed by a pathological examination.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Cysts of the prostate, seminal vesicles and diverticulum of the ejaculatory ducts.

The close proximity of the prostate, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts are a diagnostic challenge to the cysts located in that region. Three patients with diverticulum of the ejaculatory ducts, 2 with prostate cysts and 1 patient with seminal vesicle cyst are presented. Transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging together with aspiration of the cyst establish diagnosis and probably prevent unnecessary exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The hormonal maintenance and restoration of guinea pig seminal vesicle fibromuscular stroma.

Using the separated epithelium and muscle preparation of the guinea pig seminal vesicle, we designed studies to investigate the hormonal control of epithelial collagen, muscle collagen and muscle cells. All hormone treatment regimens involved a comparison of the effects of hormone maintenance (homrone treatments initiated on the day of castration) versus hormone restoration (hormone treatments initiated after a castration-induced regression) on these 3 components of the fibromuscular stroma. In the epithelium, castration induced a 35 per cent decline in collagen content, which was either returned to normal by androgen restoration of prevented by androgen maintenance. In all androgen treatment regimens, changes in epithelial collagen correlated with changes in epithelial wet weight, cell number, RNA content and cell size. In contrast, growth of the epithelium was not stimulated by estrogen maintenance or restoration. Castration reduced muscle wet and dry weight, as well as cell size and RNA content, but there was no effect on cell number and collagen content. Androgen maintenance or restoration reversed the castration-induced regression in all parameters and also caused collagen content to increase 35 percent above normal. Estrogen maintenance of castrates sustained wet weight, dry weight and RNA content at normal and stimulated supranormal increases in both collagen content and cell number. Similarly, estrogen restoration induced supranormal increases in collagen content and returned RNA content to normal. However, estrogen's ability to stimulate supranormal increases in cell number and restore wet and dry weight to normal was lost after a castration-induced muscle regression. In summary, components of the guinea pig seminal vesicle fibromuscular stroma have been shown to be sensitive to androgens and/or estrogens. The action of androgen on these tissue components was independent of the state of tissue regression, whereas with the exception of RNA and collagen content all the effects of estrogen were significantly reduced with castration-induced regression of the tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Obstructive conditions of the seminal vesicles].

A propos de 90 cases of excretory infertility the authors expose their concept of obstruction of the seminal ways. They detail the echographic patterns of 5 selected observations and they insist upon the interest of the echographic test of dynamic voiding of the seminal vesicles and upon the value of a complementary test (provoked voiding of the seminal vesicles).

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Accumulation of prolactin in human seminal vesicles as revealed by immunohistochemical studies.

The immunoperoxidase technique was used to identify PRL in human seminal vesicles. PRL reactivity was seen as a strong, specific, perivascular staining in the venous plexuses of the invaginations between the folds in the seminal vesicle walls as well as a diffuse staining in the subepithelial stroma. The immunohistochemical staining methods used in this study do not allow any conclusive speculation on the mechanisms by which high concentrations of PRL in the seminal plasma arise, because no distinct cells could be identified as actively producing and secreting PRL by the current techniques.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

[The value of computer tomography for diagnosis of seminal vesicle cysts].

Presented report deals with the case of a giant cyst of the left seminal vesicle with major diagnostic difficulties. After urography, cystoscopy, and computer tomography all symptoms in patient with cyst disappeared, and the tumor was not stated during physical examination. Six months later all symptoms in the patient exaggerated. Among diagnostic procedures used only computer tomography visualized giant cyst of the seminal vesicle which occupied the whole pelvis. After surgical excision of the cyst the patient had and erectile dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Alterations in the fine structure of the prostate and seminal vesicle of rats treated with cyproterone acetate.

Young adult male rats were treated with daily injections of 10 mg of cyproterone acetate for periods up to 16 weeks. Samples of the ventral prostate and the seminal vesicle were studied with the light and electron microscopes. Alterations visible with the light microscope included decreases in cell size, cytoplasmic basophilia, the size of the nucleolus, and the amount of luminal secretory material. Ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of both glands involved mainly the organelles that participate in the formation of secretions. Large declines were observed in the abundance of rough endoplasmic reticulum, size of the Golgi apparatus, and number of secretory vacuoles. Lipid droplets accumulated in the seminal vesicle epithelium, and lysosomes were numerous in both glands. Changes were first observed microscopically in the seminal vesicle after one week and in the prostate after two or three weeks. Maximal development of the alteration occurred after treatment for approximately eight weeks.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype predominance in the rat seminal vesicle.

Noradrenaline (0.6-19 microM) and phenylephrine (2-130 microM) induced contractions in the rat seminal vesicle that were competitively antagonized by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist corynanthine (120-920 nM). Yohimbine (60-450 nM), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist, produced a non-competitive antagonism of noradrenaline responses, suggesting that the responses were not alpha 2-adrenoceptor mediated. It is concluded that the rat seminal vesicle has a predominance of alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Regulation of androgen receptor protein and mRNA concentrations by androgens in rat ventral prostate and seminal vesicles and in human hepatoma cells.

The effects of androgen withdrawal and replacement on the concentrations of androgen receptor (AR) protein and AR mRNA were investigated in rat ventral prostate and seminal vesicles and in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. AR mRNA concentrations were determined by Northern blotting with single stranded AR cRNA as the hybridization probe, whereas antibodies raised against two synthetic 17-amino acid long peptides corresponding to the N-terminal and steroid-binding regions of the AR were employed in immunological receptor assays. AR mRNA levels in both prostate and seminal vesicles increased about 2-fold within 24 h after castration and continued to rise within the next 48 h to values that were 9- to 11-fold higher than those in intact controls. Administration of pharmacological doses of testosterone (400 micrograms steroid/day) to 1-day castrated animals for 24-48 h brought about a decrease in AR mRNA levels in accessory sex organs to levels in intact controls. Similar results were obtained in cultured HepG2 cells where a switch to serum- and steroid-free medium elicited a rapid increase (approximately 4-fold in 10 h) in the AR mRNA level, which was prevented by inclusion of 10(-7) M testosterone in culture medium. Similar, but quantitatively less marked, changes occurred in the AR protein concentration in prostate, seminal vesicles, and HepG2 cells, as determined by immunoblotting using antibodies against AR peptides. In addition, immunohistochemical studies showed that AR is a nuclear protein of the prostatic epithelial cells in both intact and castrated rats, and suggested that short term castration increases the concentration of nuclear AR in the prostate. Taken together, these data indicate that androgens down-regulate the concentration of AR protein and AR mRNA in a variety of target tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

An unusual case of ureteral ectopia in the seminal vesicle: diagnosis and surgical management.

We report the case of a young man who presented with numerous episodes of ipsilateral epididymitis. Selected imaging studies with consideration of urogenital embryology lead to the rare diagnosis of a dysplastic kidney with ureteral ectopia in the seminal vesicle. After nephroureterectomy and vesiculectomy, convalescence was uneventful. No specific symptoms, equivocal diagnostic findings and the small number of patients limit the surgical experience in diseases of the seminal vesicle. Suprainguinal extravesical extirpation, however, appears to be an excellent operative approach in cases of unilateral seminal vesicle cysts.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Morphometric evaluation of the turnover of autophagic vacuoles after treatment with Triton X-100 and vinblastine in murine pancreatic acinar and seminal vesicle epithelial cells.

Large numbers of autophagic vacuoles were found in murine pancreatic acinar and seminal vesicle epithelial cells following the administration of Triton X-100 or vinblastine for 4 h. The autophagic vacuoles disappeared rapidly from the cells after the administration of cycloheximide to animals pretreated with Triton X-100. The decay in seminal vesicle cells appeared to follow first-order kinetics with an estimated t1/2 of 8.7 min. The regression in pancreatic cells was equally rapid and less than half the initial volume of autophagic vacuoles was found at the 12th min after cycloheximide injection. This time, the decay curve appeared to be linear rather than exponential. Our data, together with the work of others, support the view that the average half-life of autophagic vacuoles is a fairly constant parameter kept within the range of 6-9 min in various types of mouse and rat cell when the late steps of autophagocytosis (i.e. the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes and the degradation within lysosomes) are not affected. The regression of autophagic vacuoles was slow in mice pretreated with vinblastine (t1/2 of about 27-30 min) suggesting that this drug slows down the turnover of autophagic vacuoles. Morphometric evaluation of the regression of the autophagic vacuole compartment after cycloheximide treatment can be used as a tool to distinguish between treatments which elevate the amount of autophagic vacuoles within the cells by increasing the rate of sequestration from those which expand the autophagic vacuole compartment by causing accumulation of autophagic vacuoles as a result of blockade of the late steps of the autophagic process.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Synthesis of seminal ribonuclease in isolated lobules of bull seminal vesicles.

A procedure is described for preparing and maintaining in culture isolated lobules of bovine seminal vesicles, consisting of glandular acini, surrounded by little connective tissue and with free access to the external medium, in which secreted material can be collected. After 48 h in culture, the isolated lobules appeared indistinguishable, by morphological and biochemical criteria, from freshly isolated lobules. After much longer culture times about one third of the glandular cells were still capable of effective protein synthesis. Studying the biosynthesis of seminal ribonuclease with preparations of isolated lobules we found that the enzyme was synthesized and secreted; only the fully amidated isoenzyme was synthesized and secreted, indicating that production of the selectively deamidated isoenzymic forms occurred after secretion, newly synthesized protein was rapidly exported, indicating that the high levels of enzyme previously reported for the seminal vesicle tissue were essentially due to its content of stored secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Immunofluorescent localization of a murine seminal vesicle proteinase inhibitor.

The indirect immunofluorescent technique was used to localize a proteinase inhibitor isolated from murine seminal vesicles. The inhibitor was found in the lumen and in the apical epithelium of the seminal vesicle but not in the testes, epididymides, ductus deferens or Cowper's glands. It was also associated with the anterior acrosomal region of ejaculated sperm and sperm recovered from the female tract within 5 min of coitus. The inhibitor is removed from uterine sperm between 2 to 4 h postcoitus, however sperm recovered from the uterus 2 h postcoitus will rebind inhibitor. The inhibitor is not normally associated with epididymal or ductus sperm although these sperm will bind purified inhibitor in vitro.

Animals↗