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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Ameliorative effect of vitamin E on aflatoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in the testis of mice.

AIM: To evaluate the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on aflatoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in the testis. METHODS: Adult male albino mice were orally administered 25 or 50 microg of aflatoxin in 0.2 mL olive oil per d for 45 d. The testis was isolated, blotted free of blood and processed for biochemical analysis. RESULTS: There was a dose-dependent significantly higher lipid peroxidation in the testis of aflatoxin treated mice than in the controls. The levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, total and reduced ascorbic acid, as well as the activities of enzymatic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly lower in the testis of aflatoxin treated mice. Vitamin E (2 mg/d per animal; orally) pretreatment significantly ameliorates the aflatoxin-induced lipid peroxidation which could be due to higher enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the testis of mice as compared with those given aflatoxin alone. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E pretreatment significantly ameliorates aflatoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in the testis of mice.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The nonpalpable testis: an experience of 132 consecutive videolaparoscopic explorations in 6 years.

From may 1995 to may 2001, 114 children with nonpalpable testis (NPT) were evaluated at our institution (18 babies had bilateral cryptorchidism). The age range was 1-11 years. When ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance cannot show the position of the NPT along the normal pathway, video laparoscopy is essential for diagnostic accuracy. 20 cases were observed to have blind-ending was deferens and testicular vessels; therefore, no other procedure was done. 4 had residual nonfunctional intra-abdominal tissue; in 52 cases, an intra-abdominal testis was found, and 17 microvascular and 26 traditional orchidopexies were performed. The remaining 50 patients (six with bilateral cryptorchidism) had normal vas and spermatic vessels entering the inguinal canal. In 15 cases a normal testis was present, and it was positioned into the scrotum with the standard technique; in 41 cases an atrophic testis was found and was removed through an inguinal approach. Diagnostic laparoscopy permits not only localisation of the testis but also planning for a better therapeutic program with a minimally invasive procedure, thus avoiding the knife in 18% of cases (in our experience 15% of blind-ending and 3% of abdominal vanishing testis).

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

[Effects of chronic cadmium loading on the testis and endocrine function of reproduction in male rats].

Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were used and divided randomly into control group (group C), cadmium loading group with medium dose (group M) and cadmium loading group with high dose (group H). Groups C, M and H were orally dosed daily with 0, 5 and 10 mg/kg of cadmium for over 6 weeks. Effects of cadmium loading on testis and endocrine function of reproduction in male rats were studied. The results showed that the zinc content decreased slightly in testis and plasma, and the cadmium concentration increased significantly in the testis of groups M and H; while the plasma levels of cadmium and zinc had no obvious difference as compared with those of group C; daily sperm production in the testis of group H decreased markedly during week 3 of cadmium loading, and was significantly lower in groups M and H as compared to that in group C during week 6; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in group H and lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDH-X) in groups M and H were markedly lower compared to those of group C; plasma testosterone (T) level in both cadmium loading groups decreased and was low or significantly lower than that in group C; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels had no apparent difference between the three groups. It is suggested that the gradual accumulation of cadmium in testis tissue induced by chronic cadmium loading results in changes in some enzyme activity, a decrease in sperm production, and defect of endocrine function activity in the testis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2002

Hypoxia alters testis development in neonatal rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of continued hypoxia on postnatal development of the rat testis. DESIGN: Wistar rats were exposed to simulated hypoxia from birth to postnatal day (PND) 45. Testosterone (T) in the plasma and the testis was measured in rats at PND 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 45 respectively. Testis histology and cellular ultrastructure were studied. RESULTS: a) Hypoxia induced a significant arrest of testes weight gain after PND 28; b) T release was significantly attenuated after PND 21; c) Alterations in histology and cellular ultrastructure were found in the testis, showing the swelling of testis interstitium and the enlargement of mitochondria in Leydig cells. CONCLUSION: Postnatal hypoxia stress alters testis development both in terms of function and structure, especially at the critical age of gonadal development.

Altitude↗
PubMed2002

Testicular block using intra-testicular lidocaine: a new anaesthetic technique for percutaneous testis biopsy.

PURPOSE: We describe a simple technique to deliver local anaesthetic for percutaneous testis biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the testis held firmly, a 25 gage needle is used to inject lidocaine, without epinephrine, into the skin and dartos superficial to the testis, then the needle is advanced through the tunica albuginea and 0.5 mL to 1.0 mL of lidocaine is injected directly into the testis. The testis becomes slightly more turgid with the injection. A percutaneous biopsy is then immediately performed. RESULTS: Intra-testicular lidocaine, (without need of a cord block or any sedation) was used on a total of 45 consecutive patients having percutaneous testicular biopsies. Procedure time was short (averages less than 5 minutes) and anaesthesia was profound. There was no change in the number of seminiferous tubules for evaluation compared to biopsies on men using a cord block. Only 1/45 men had a post-procedure testicular hematoma (this resolved in 4 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-testicular lidocaine appears to be a simple, rapid and safe method to provide anaesthesia for a percutaneous testis biopsy.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed2002

[Analysis of DNA content of spermatogenic cells in the adult human testis and epididymis by flow cytometry].

OBJECTIVES: To detect the changes of DNA ploidy of spermatogenic cells in testis and epididymis. METHODS: Right epididymides and testes from 15 fertile youth donors who died of accident were collected. Samples of spermatogenic cells in different regions of epididymis (caput, corpus and cauda) and tests were collected. DNA of spermatogenic cells were detected by flow cyctometry (FCM). RESULTS: The haploid(1n), diploid(2n) and tetraploid(4n) spermatogenic cells were existed in different regions of epididymis and testis. The 1n cells increased from (24.87 +/- 7.28)% in testis to (96.33 +/- 1.58)% in epididymis cauda, there were significant differences among regions of testis and epididymis caput, corpus(P < 0.01), and the difference among regions of epididymis corpus and epididymis cauda were also significant(P < 0.05). While the percentages of 2n and 4n cells decreased from (63.07 +/- 8.96)% and (9.43 +/- 3.83)% in tesits to (2.47 +/- 0.93)% and (1.17 +/- 0.95)% in epididymis respectively. There was significant difference of 2n cells between testis and epididymis caput, corpus(P < 0.01), and was also remarkable difference between epididymis corpus and cauda (P < 0.05). There was no difference of 4n cells between testis and epididymis caput(P > 0.05). There were significant difference among regions of epididymis caput, corpus and cauda(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of immature spermatogenic cells decreased along with passing through the epididymis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Cloning and characterization of a novel rat gene RSD-7 differentially expressed in testis].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the differentially expressed genes in spermatogenesis for the understanding molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis. METHODS: Screening of the cDNA library, Northern blot, expression and purification in E. coli with GST expression system, immunocytochemical staining of testis sections were used. RESULTS: (1) A cDNA fragment designated as RSD-7 was isolated from rat testis cDNA library. It was 1,238 bp in length, coding a protein of 232 amino acids with the GenBank accession number AF315467. The encoding protein of RSD-7 cDNA had a Ubiquitin-like domain. (2) Northern blot indicated that RSD-7 was uniquely expressed in rat testis, and in the testis RSD-7 emerged on the 30th postnatal day and expressed until 120th postnatal day. (3) Expression and purification of RSD-7 protein in E. coli with GST expression system and were used to obtain anti-RSD-7 antibody. (4) Immunolocalization of RSD-7 in rat testis revealed that it is expressed only in Sertoli cells. CONCLUSIONS: Transcription pattern of RSD-7 and localization of RSD-7 protein in testis have been made, which established the base for the functional study of RSD-7.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of human gamma interferon on mice testis: a quantitative analysis of the spermatogenic cells.

Effect of Human Gamma Interferon (Hu-IFN-gamma) on the testicular histology was studied in mice. Male mice were administered Hu-IFN-gamma intratesticularly at the doses of 2, 10 and 20 micrograms/testis in a volume of 1.0 microliter isotonic normal saline. Contralateral testis served as control and was administered same amount of vehicle. All the animals were sacrificed 7 days after drug administration. Body weight and the weights of testis and epididymis were not affected by IFN treatment nor was there any effect of the drug on the motility of the vas deferens spermatozoa. Low dose of IFN (2 micrograms) did not have significant effect on the histoarchitecture of the testis and various spermatogenic elements, a progressive damage was however observed with the increasing doses of IFN. Pronounced deleterious effect of IFN on the testis leading to desquamation of the germinal epithelium, reduction in the germinal cell height and tubular diameter was observed with 20 micrograms dose. Quantitative studies on seminiferous epithelium showed a significant decrease in the number of Sertoli cells, stage-7 spermatids and stage-16 spermatozoa. The ratios of resting type spermatocyte: type A spermatogonia and stage-7 spermatids: pachytene spermatocyte was also reduced. The ratios of pachytene spermatocyte: resting spermatocyte and stage-16 spermatozoa: stage-7 spermatids were however not affected by IFN treatment. In another experiment IFN was administered (2 micrograms/day) subcutaneously to male mice for 30 days. No effect of drug treatment on body weight, organ weight, sperm motility and histology (including morphometry) of the testis was observed. Our data suggest that IFN action at testis may be associated with the antiproliferative effect of interferon.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Androgens and the testis.

The present survey focuses on some unique features of the testis as an androgen target tissue. Within the testis androgens act in a paracrine rather than in an endocrine fashion. All the available evidence suggests that the concentration of androgens that surrounds testicular target cells is much higher than that observed in peripheral target tissues, but the exact concentration remains unknown. The concentration of androgens required to maintain spermatogenesis considerably exceeds that observed in the peripheral circulation although it is probably lower than that which exists within the testis. The effects of androgens on spermatogenesis are indirect and are mediated by somatic cells. Sertoli cells are the most likely mediators of the effects of androgens on germ cell development. These cells contain androgen receptors which are upregulated by FSH and by androgens and they respond to androgens in vitro. They are not the only androgen-responsive cells in the testis, however, and some effects of androgens on Sertoli cells (epithelial cells) are indirect and are actually mediated by paracrine factors produced by underlying peritubular cells (mesenchymal cells). Androgen-regulated mesenchymal-epithelial interactions may not be limited to the testis but may be a more general feature of androgen action in several target tissues and our data suggest that the mediators involved may be very similar or identical. A final interesting aspect of androgen action in the testis is that the compartment which responds to androgens (the tubular compartment) may locally modulate the activity of the compartment which is responsible for androgen production (the interstitial compartment). A complex network of paracrine mediators is responsible for these interactions.

Androgens↗
PubMed2004

Identification and expression of a novel human testis-specific gene by digital differential display.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the importance of genetic factors in male infertility is accumulating. This study was designed to identify a novel testis-specific gene related to spermatogenesis by a new strategy of digital differential display (DDD). METHODS: Based on the generation of expressed sequenced tags (ESTs), comparing the testis libraries with other tissue or cell line libraries by the DDD program, we identified a new contig of the ESTs which were derived from testis libraries and represented a novel gene. Multi-tissue RT-PCR was performed to analyse its tissue-specific expression. The full-length cDNA of the new gene was obtained using the BLAST program. Sequencing was performed and the result was analysed. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses of mRNA from differential normal tissues were performed to clarify the expression pattern of the new gene. The sequence of the opening reading frame was integrated into the pQE-30 vector expressed in Escherichia coil strain M15 (pREP4). With IPTG induction, the target protein was detected. RESULTS: A full-length cDNA sequence of the new gene named SPATA12 (GeneBank accession number AY221117) in human testis was identified. SPATA12 was 2430 bp in length, located in chromosome 3p21.1-3p21.2. The sequence of the opening reading frame was 676-1248 bp, as was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. The cDNA encodes a novel protein of 190 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 20417.8 and isoelectric point of 5.23. The sequence has no significant homology with any known protein in databases. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern-blot analyses of multiple tissues showed that SPATA12 was expressed significantly in normal human testis. The expression recombinant of SPATA12 was constructed and a high level of the histidine-tagged fusion protein was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: DDD can be confirmed by SPATA12 as a novel computational biology-based approach for identification of the testis-specific expression genes. SPATA12 may function as a testicular germ cell associated gene that plays some roles in spermatogenesis. Moreover, a great amount of SPATA12 protein could be obtained by the gene recombination technique, thus providing a reliable foundation for investigating the biological function of this new protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Activation of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway following ischemia-reperfusion of the murine testis.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the testis results in testicular oxidative stress and germ cell-specific apoptosis. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a nuclear transcription factor involved in the control of a number of cellular processes, and its activation is part of the cellular stress response to a variety of factors including cytokine stimulation, irradiation, and IR. The present study investigates NF-kappaB activation after IR of the murine testis and potential downstream target genes of that activation. Mice were subjected to a period of testicular ischemia followed by 0-4 hours of reperfusion. Activation of NF-kappaB was assessed by 1) Western blot analysis of the NF-kappaB inhibitory protein, IkappaBalpha; 2) immunohistochemistry for IkappaBalpha; and 3) TranSignal NF-kappaB target gene array (107 genes) analysis. Results demonstrate that IkappaBalpha is phosphorylated on serine 32 reaching a peak by 2 hours after IR of the testis. A decrease in total IkappaBalpha was also noted at 2 hours after IR, consistent with the rapid degradation of the phosphorylated protein. Phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha is indicative of NF-kappaB activation. Immunolocalization revealed IkappaBalpha specifically in Sertoli cells of the murine testis. Results of the TranSignal target gene array revealed that the expression of 9 genes was consistently changed 2 hours after IR of the testis, 3 of which increased in expression and 6 of which were down-regulated. Most notably, high-mobility group nucleosomal binding domain 1 increased in expression while platelet-derived growth factor B and Wilms tumor homolog decreased. These results suggest that testicular IR releases the suppression of NF-kappaB by IkappaBalpha in Sertoli cells. Activation of the NF-kappaB pathway in the testis resulted in an alteration of expression of potential NF-kappaB target genes, some increased while others decreased. The specific roles of these genes in the testicular response to IR remains to be determined.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Modified technique of testis autotransplantation in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a dog model of testis autotransplantation with a modified technique. METHODS: Testis autotransplantations were performed in 30 dogs. After detachment of the spermatic artery with a cuff of the abdominal aorta and the spermatic vein with a cuff of inferior vena cava, the testis was perfused and kept at ice temperature. An end-to-side anastomosis of the spermatic vessels to the external iliac vessels was conducted. RESULTS: The success rate of the testis autotransplantations was 90% (27/30) and the time for heat ischemia, cold ischemia, anastomosis of spermatic vessels and the whole operation were (4.5 +/- 0.9) minutes, (50.0 +/- 5.0) minutes, (35.5 +/- 5.5) minutes and (3.5 +/- 0.5) hours respectively. CONCLUSION: A stable and feasible model of testis autotransplantation was established, which provides a reliable experimental base for testis autotransplantation.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human interleukin-1 alpha crosses the blood-testis barriers of the mouse.

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) has been shown to have direct effects on the gonads, affecting steroidal secretion, DNA synthesis by spermatogonia, and the immune function of the testes. It is unclear, however, how IL-1 alpha exerts these effects because the testis is partitioned into basal and adluminal compartments by both a vascular and a Sertoli cell barrier. The authors used a highly sensitive method to quantify the unidirectional flux rates (Ki) into the testis of technetium pertechnetate-labeled human albumin (T-alb), a compound that does not readily cross the vascular barrier, and human IL-1 alpha radioactively labeled with 125I (I-IL). The entry rate (Ki) was almost six times greater for I-IL than for T-alb. Part of the enhanced entry of I-IL was due to a saturable transport system. Nearly 0.2% of the total injection had entered the testes 60 minutes after intravenous administration, and more than 75% of that amount was not accounted for by the albumin space. Collection of testicular interstitial fluid from the basal compartment and seminiferous tubule fluid from the adluminal compartment showed preferential entry of I-IL into these compartments. Analysis by high-pressure liquid chromatography or radioactivity recovered from the testis showed that intact I-IL was entering the testis. The leakiness of the blood-testis barrier was measured by the rate of entry for T-alb, which was not altered by injection of unlabeled human IL-1 alpha in doses of up to 50 micrograms/kg (5 x 10(6) U/kg), and by the wet weight of the testes. The results show that circulating IL-1 alpha can have direct access to the testis, supporting previous studies suggesting a direct effect of IL-1 alpha on gonadal function.

Albumins↗
PubMed2005

[Influence of estradiol benzoate on the testis development of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of estradiol benzoate (E2B) on the testis development of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: Newborn male SD rats were injected subcutaneously with E2B (0.2 mg/5 g body weight). At days 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 after birth, the rats were sacrificed after anaesthesia, and their testes were taken out and weighed. The cranial and caudal SEH and TD were measured respectively, the TD/SEH ratio in each part of the testis and the caudal SEH/cranial SEH ratio were calculated, and different stages of spermatogenesis were analysed. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the testis weight was significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.01), the testes constantly remained in the abdominal cavity, and there was much fluid retention in the rete testis all the time. From day 21 on, the TD/SEH ratio in the cranial testis was much higher than in the control (P < 0.01), and so was the caudal SEH/cranial SEH ratio (P < 0.01). And spermatogenesis was obviously retarded as compared with the control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exposure of newborn male SD rats to E2B can cause fluid retention in the testis and cryptorchid, which in turn may retard spermatogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Further studies on the effect of cyclic nucleotides on testis DNA synthesis.

The inhibitory effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAPM) on in vitro rat testis DNA synthesis appears to be relatively specific in nature. Of 7 organs studied, only testis and kidney in vitro DNA synthesis was significantly affected. In addition, another cyclic nucleotide, dibutyryl cyclic GMP (by dbc AMP), had no effect on in vitro testis DNA synthesis. This was true whether testis tissue was mature or immature. Similarly, by dbcAMP had no significant effect on in vitro testicular protein or RNA synthesis. The inhibition of in vitro testicular DNA synthesis by dbcAMP occurs while 3H-cAMP is accumulating in testis tissue. dbcGMP was found to have no antagonistic effect towards the inhibitory effect of dbcAMP on in vitro testis DNA synthesis.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

[Effects of experimental varicocele on CRES protein in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (CRES) protein in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats. METHODS: The ELV model of Sprague-Dawley (SD) male adolescent rats was established, and the expression of CRES protein in the testis and epididymis was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western-blot at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and Western-blot detected CRES protein in both the testis and the epididymis of the ELV rats and the control rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that within the testis, CRES protein was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of round spermatids and elongating spermatids, sperm acrosomes and residual bodies. The expression was most intensive at Stages I-III and IX-XIV, and then decreased gradually at Stages VII-VII and IV-VI. Within the epididymis, CRES protein was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of the principal cells of epididymal epithelia. Western-blot detected CRES protein in Mr 19,000 and 14,000, stronger in the former than in the latter. Image and statistical analyses showed that the expression of CRES protein in the 2-week and 4-week ELV groups was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CRES protein expressed in both the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats and the expression is stage-specific and cell-specific in the testis and segment-specific and cell-specific in the epididymis. The expression of CRES protein in the ELV rats is much stronger than in their corresponding controls. It is suggested that CRES protein may be significantly involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, and possibly associated with varicocele-related male infertility or subfertility.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cloning and characterization of a testis-specific thymosin beta 10 cDNA. Expression in post-meiotic male germ cells.

Thymosin beta 10 is one of a small family of proteins closely related in sequence to thymosin beta 4, recently identified as an actin-sequestering protein. A single molecular weight species of thymosin beta 10 mRNA is present in a number of rat tissues. In adult rat testis, an additional thymosin beta 10 mRNA of higher molecular weight was identified. Nucleotide sequencing of cDNA clones complementary to the testis-specific thymosin mRNA indicated that this mRNA differed from the ubiquitous thymosin beta 10 mRNA only in its 5'-untranslated region, beginning 14 nucleotides upstream of the translation initiation codon. These results, together with primer extension experiments, suggest that the two thymosin beta 10 mRNAs are transcribed from the same gene through a combination of differential promoter utilization and alternative splicing. The novel thymosin beta 10 mRNA could be detected only in RNA isolated from sexually mature rat testis. Both mRNAs were present in pachytene spermatocytes; only the testis-specific mRNA was detected in postmeiotic haploid spermatids. Immunoblot analysis using specific antibodies showed that the thymosin beta 10 protein synthesized in adult testis was identical in size to that synthesized in brain. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the protein was present in differentiating spermatids, suggesting that the testis-specific thymosin beta 10 mRNA is translated in haploid male germ cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

The putative testis-determining factor and related genes are expressed as discrete-sized transcripts in adult gonadal and somatic tissues.

The zinc-finger-Y (ZFY) gene is a candidate for the testis-determining-factor gene (TDF) on the human Y chromosome and is postulated to initiate testis differentiation during embryogenesis. However, the present study indicates that the ZFY gene and its X homologue (ZFX) are differentially expressed in adult tissues. A human testis-specific ZFY cDNA was isolated and completely sequenced. The corresponding ZFY transcript encodes a protein that has 801 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 90.6 kD. Expression analysis demonstrated that ZFY is transcribed primarily as 3- and 5.7-kb mRNA in testis and somatic cells, respectively. In contrast, the ZFX gene is expressed as a 5-kb transcript in the testis and as 6.7- and 8-kb transcripts in both ovarian and somatic tissues. With sets of gene-specific oligonucleotides, the origin and relative amount of the respective transcripts can be demonstrated in both Northern hybridization and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Significantly, the 3-kb ZFY transcript was also detected in other mammalian adult testes. The testis-specific transcription of the ZFY gene hence suggests that it serves a conserved function in this organ.

Adult↗