Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “testis development”

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 1,243 records · Page 69Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Expression of a testis-specific putative actin-capping protein associated with the developing acrosome during rat spermiogenesis.

Actin-capping proteins are ubiquitous components of mammalian cells. They are known to regulate the polymerization state of actin and hence indirectly control the activity of the cytoskeleton and cell shape. As part of our investigation into the molecular mechanisms that direct differentiation of a round spermatid into an elongating spermatozoa, we report on a testis-specific 1.7-kb transcript from rat testis with sequence similarities to the alpha subunit of actin-capping proteins (ACPs) from somatic cells. The transcript contains a putative cAMP-responsive motif (CREM) upstream of the initiation codon in the DNA sequence and is expressed postmeiotically, first appearing between 20 and 30 days of postnatal development. The primary amino acid sequence is 90% identical to that of a previously identified testis-specific mouse protein, gsg3, both showing approximately 40% homology to the alpha subunit of somatic ACPs. An affinity-purified polyclonal antibody to a synthetic peptide derived from the rat transcript identified a 32-kDa protein on Western blots of testicular extracts. Indirect immunofluorescent localization of the protein on frozen sections of adult rat testis showed that it is intracellular and accumulates asymmetrically in the cytoplasm of round spermatids coincident with the position of the developing acrosome. This spatial expression parallels the distribution of F-actin during sperm differentiation, supporting the hypothesis that testis-specific ACPs have an important role in determining the final shape of mature sperm heads. A disturbance in the expression of these ACPs may underlie many of the abnormalities in sperm morphology observed in infertile semen.

Acrosome↗
PubMed2003

Distinct patterns of expression of the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases during testicular development in the mouse.

Glycosylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications and it is clear that the single step of beta-1,4-galactosylation is performed by a family of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases (beta4-GalTs) and that each member of this family may play a distinct role in different tissues and cells. In this study, we characterized the gene expression of six beta4-GalTs in mouse testis and analyzed the changes of galactosylation of testis glycoproteins during postnatal development. Northern blot analysis revealed that beta4-GalT-I and beta4-GalT-IV were expressed mainly in newborn mouse testis and that the expression of beta4-GalT-II increased markedly and persisted at the highest levels in adult mouse testis. The expression of beta4-GalT-III and beta4-GalT-V, however, remained relatively at low levels during mouse testicular development. In contrast, the expression of beta4-GalT-VI was undetectable in mouse testis. The gene expression of beta4-GalT-II in mouse testis was further analyzed by in situ hybridization due to its unique expression pattern. Strong hybridization signals were detected in the seminiferous tubules and the expression varied among the different stages of spermatogenic differentiation. The distinct gene expression patterns of beta4-GalTs in mouse testis could affect the differential galactosylation of testis glycoproteins, as revealed by lectin histochemistry analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Testis-specific proteins and their role in contraceptive vaccine development.

Development of a vaccine(s) based on sperm antigens represents a promising approach for contraception. The utility of an antigen in immunocontraception is contingent upon its testis/sperm specificity and involvement in spermatogenesis and/or fertilization. The aim of the present article is to review the information regarding the proteins that have been reported to be testis/sperm-specific and may have an important function in spermatogenesis and/or fertilization. The potential role of these proteins in the development an antisperm contraceptive vaccine(s) is discussed.

Contraception, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Conservative treatment of germ cell tumor of the testis].

Testis germ cell tumor is the most frequent cancer in men between 15 and 35 years old. The therapeutic results of radical orchiectomy and chemotherapy reaches 90% free disease survival al the present time. This great chemosensibility is opening new doors to alternative therapeutic options, directed to preserve the sufficient amount of tissue to avoid the problems derived from testicular insufficiency. Such alternatives are clearly beneficial in bilateral germinal tumors or in solitary testis. In this article we describe a case of seminoma developed in a solitary functional testis managed in a conservative approach: organ preserving surgery and surveillance. We analyzed the indications and international results of such approach based on the best evidences now available.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Transcriptional activity of testis-determining factor SRY is modulated by the Wilms' tumor 1 gene product, WT1.

The Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) and sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) genes are essential for development of the mammalian gonads and mutations in these genes are associated with gonadal dysgenesis in humans. The SRY gene encodes a transcription factor with one high-mobility group (HMG) box as a DNA-binding domain. WT1 encodes a transcription factor that contains four contiguous C2H2-type zinc-finger motifs as a DNA/RNA binding or protein-protein interaction domain. Here we report that WT1 binds to and acts synergistically with SRY to activate transcription from a promoter containing SRY-binding sites. This interaction is mediated by the WT1 zinc-finger domain and the SRY HMG box. WT1 mutants associated with Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS), which is characterized by Wilms' tumor, pseudohermaphroditism, and nephropathy, fail to interact with SRY. Wildtype WT1 is recruited to SRY-binding sites in an SRY-dependent manner, whereas DDS mutants are not recruited as efficiently. These results suggest that WT1 forms a complex with SRY to regulate transcription and that this WT1-SRY interaction is important in testis development.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1991

Development of Sertoli cell junctional specializations and the distribution of the tight-junction-associated protein ZO-1 in the mouse testis.

Basally located tight junctions between Sertoli cells in the postpubertal testis are the largest and most complex junctional complexes known. They form at puberty and are thought to be the major structural component of the "blood-testis" barrier. We have now examined the development of these structures in the immature mouse testis in conjunction with immunolocalization of the tight-junction-associated protein ZO-1 (zonula occludens 1). In testes from 5-day-old mice, tight junctional complexes are absent and ZO-1 is distributed generally over the apicolateral, but not basal, Sertoli cell membrane. As cytoskeletal and reticular elements characteristic of the mature junction are recruited to the developing junctions, between 7 and 14 days, ZO-1 becomes progressively restricted to tight junctional regions. Immunogold labeling of ZO-1 on Sertoli cell plasma membrane preparations revealed specific localization to the cytoplasmic surface of tight junctional regions. In the mature animal, ZO-1 is similarly associated with tight junctional complexes in the basal aspects of the epithelium. In addition, it is also localized to Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to early elongating, but not late, spermatids just prior to sperm release. Although these structures are not tight junctions, they do have a similar cytoskeletal arrangement, suggesting that ZO-1 interacts with the submembrane cytoskeleton. These results show that, in the immature mouse testis, ZO-1 is present on the Sertoli cell plasma membrane in the absence of recognizable tight junctions. In the presence of tight junctions, however, ZO-1 is found only at the sites of junctional specializations associated with tight junctions and with elongating spermatids.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Sexual dimorphism in the neonatal gonad.

The neonatal gonad has two distinct forms (i.e., is sexually dimorphic), as judged by morphological and endocrine characteristics. The dimorphic process begins early in embryogenesis. It is well established by the time of birth, by which time the genital ridge has developed into either a testis or an ovary. The mechanisms involved in sex determination involve the Y chromosome, autosomal genes, transcription factors and possibly other unidentified control networks. This review paper describes the morphological changes that occur and the endocrine functions in the developing gonads. It highlights a number of important differences in fetal and neonatal gonadal function. The testis has early histological definition, several determining genes, delayed germ cell maturation, early autonomous steroid secretion, luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and steroid enzyme expression, high fetal testicular testosterone content, prominent postnatal Leydig and Sertoli cells and high postnatal serum testosterone levels. The ovary has a prolonged monomorphic state, probably one determining gene, germ cells in early meiotic arrest, delayed expression of LH receptor and aromatase, low ovarian oestradiol content, prominent postnatal follicles and low postnatal serum oestradiol levels.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗
PubMed1998

Tex261, a novel gene presumably related but distinct from steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene, is regulated during the development of germ cells.

Tex261 is a new gene cloned from a subtractive cDNA library from 10-day postnatal mouse testis. Tex261 transcribes three mRNAs of 3.5, 1.6 and 1.4 kb. The 3.5 kb and 1.4 kb transcripts are expressed in different gonadal and somatic tissues analyzed. However, the 1.6 Kb transcript is only detected in testis and differentially regulated during development. This 1.6 kb mRNA is highly expressed in adult testis, with detection beginning at 15 days of postnatal life, which coincides with the presence of pachytene cells in prepuberal mouse. This expression was confirmed in pachytene cells by run-off transcription assay and by in situ hybridization. A region of 86 amino acids from the predicted Tex261 was recently reported as a part of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein StAR gene by its sequence identity to a rat StAR cloned cDNA. We demonstrate her that, in the mouse, StAR and Tex261 are two different genes with different expected functions, yet, a high identity (43%) at amino acid level is detected in a region of 153 amino acids corresponding to a transmembrane protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Carbendazim-induced abnormal development of the acrosome during early phases of spermiogenesis in the rat testis.

Effects of a single, high dose of orally administered carbendazim (100 mg/kg) on acrosome formation in the early phases of spermiogenesis were examined by electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry up to day 7.5 post-treatment. No obvious abnormality of acrosome development was noted in the Golgi phase spermatids on day 1.5 post-treatment. On day 3, step 1 spermatids were seen in stage III seminiferous tubules. In stage V tubules at this post-treatment interval, direct connections between the trans-side saccules of the Golgi stacks and the outer acrosomic membranes were observed in step 5 spermatids. Similar direct connections between these two organelles were also observed in the advanced round spermatids in later stages at days 4.5 and 7.5. On day 4.5, step 1 and 3 spermatids were seen in stage V tubules. On day 7.5, round spermatids with various abnormalities of acrosome development were observed in stage VII tubules, in addition to the discontinuous and granular acrosomes reported previously. These features were not observed in testes of control animals. In the immunocytochemical analysis using an antibody mMN7 that recognizes a protein delivered from the Golgi apparatus to the acrosome, spermatids exposed to carbendazim showed various abnormal immunostaining patterns in the acrosomes. On the other hand, strong immunoreactivity was observed in the Golgi saccules connecting to the acrosomes. These results suggest that in testis treated with carbendazim acrosome development is impaired during the early phases of spermiogenesis, and material supply from the Golgi apparatus to the acrosome is perturbed, which is a possible cause of the abnormal development.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1995

Developmental changes in seminiferous tubule extracellular matrix components of the mouse testis: alpha 3(IV) collagen chain expressed at the initiation of spermatogenesis.

The temporal expression of type IV collagen, laminin, and entactin in the basal laminae of the seminiferous tubule during development of the mouse testis was determined. Northern blot analysis was used to examine changes in testicular mRNA for alpha 1-alpha 5 type IV collagen (IV) chains in mice ranging in age from newborn to adult (60 days). Levels for mRNA alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains were highest in newborns through Day 5 and remained elevated through Day 10, but then sharply declined to adult values by Day 30. In sharp contrast, alpha 3(IV) and alpha 4(IV) chain levels were low in newborns, peaked at Day 10, and then declined to adult values by Day 30. 5(IV) mRNA was elevated in newborns and at Days 5 and 10 before dropping to adult levels by Day 30. Changes in the deposition of alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3(IV) collagen chains, laminin, and entactin into the inner and outer basal laminae of the seminiferous tubule were determined from the beginning of tubule formation (embryonic Day 12.5) through adulthood by immunofluorescence microscopy using polyclonal antibodies for these constituents. The alpha 1 and alpha 2(IV) chains, laminin, and entactin were deposited into the inner basal lamina at embyronic Day 12.5 and into the newly formed outer basal lamina at Day 5 after birth. The alpha 3(IV) chains were deposited into both the inner and outer basal laminae at Day 5. Thus, testicular alpha 1-alpha 3(IV) mRNA levels coincide with the incorporation of detectable collagen chains into the seminiferous basal laminae, suggesting transcriptional control of these alpha (IV) chains. Expression of of the alpha 3(IV) chain coincides with the initiation of spermatogenesis, suggesting a functional role of this chain in spermatogonial proliferation.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Impaired male sex development in an infant with molecularly defined partial 9p monosomy: implication for a testis forming gene(s) on 9p.

This paper describes a genetically male infant with impaired male sex development and partial 9p monosomy. The external genitalia were ambiguous with microphallus (penile length at birth 10 mm, mean age matched normal length 29 mm (SD 5)), hypospadias, and hypoplastic scrotum. The tests were undescended and severely hypoplastic (testis size at 12 months of age, right 8 x 5 x 4 mm and left 4 x 3 x 2 mm; mean age matched normal size, length 18 mm (SD 2), width 11 mm (SD 1). Cytogenetic studies showed a 46,XY,del(9)(p23) karyotype in all the 30 peripheral lymphocytes and 20 skin fibroblasts examined. Microsatellite analysis for a total of 13 loci assigned to the 9p22-24 region showed that the deleted chromosome 9 was of paternal origin and was missing a region distal to D9S168. Southern blot analysis for D9S47 also confirmed the 9p deletion. The sequence of SRY was normal. The results provide further support for the previously proposed hypothesis that a gene(s) for testis formation is present on the distal part of 9p and indicate in molecular terms that the putative testis forming gene(s) resides in the region distal to D9S168.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed2005

Sf1 and Mis expression: molecular milestones in the canine sex determination pathway.

In mammals, the Y-linked Sry gene is normally responsible for testis induction. However, testes develop in the absence of Sry in human patients and animal models with Sry-negative XX sex reversal. The mechanism of testis induction in this disorder is presently unknown. Characterization of gene expression in normal embryos contributes to the framework within which the canine Sry-negative XX sex reversal model can be evaluated. The objective of this study was to add two molecular milestones to the canine sex determination pathway by determining the temporal and spatial expression patterns of Sf1 and Mis in normal urogenital ridges (UGR) at various gestational stages. The onset of Sf1 expression signifies the start of the sex determination period, whereas initial Mis expression identifies the end of the testis induction period. Sf1 expression in UGR was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and whole mount in situ hybridization (WMISH) at Carnegie stages (CS) 15 to 20. Canine sex determination begins at CS 15 with Sf1 expression in the emerging indifferent gonad. Gonadal Sf1 expression was detected in both sexes at all ages, and in the presumptive adrenal primordium at CS 15 and 17. At stages > or = CS 17, Sf1 expression was pronounced in male and female gonads. Mis expression, assayed by WMISH at CS 13.5-20, was observed only in male gonads > or = CS 18, indicating that the testis induction period ends at CS 18. The expression patterns of both genes are similar to those observed in humans and domestic animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Malignant germ cell tumor in situ in a cryptorchid testis.

A case of a malignant undifferentiated germ cell tumor in situ of an undescended testis diagnosed by needle biopsy is described. Four similar cases have been so far recorded in the literature, all of them in the infertile men with normally descended descended testes. Two of them developed embryonal carcinoma of testis 4 1/2 later and one had a concomitant seminoma. In a high-risk group of patients (atrophic testis, cryptorchidism), a needle biopsy of a testicle may discover malignancy in its very early phase of development (Stage 0), at which time an orchiectomy alone may be a curative treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Neonatal hypothyroidism causes delayed Sertoli cell maturation in rats treated with propylthiouracil: evidence that the Sertoli cell controls testis growth.

BACKGROUND: The testes of rats treated neonatally with propylthiouracil (PTU) grow to almost twice their normal size. The cause of testicular enlargement has been suggested to be the result of delayed maturation of Sertoli cells, allowing Sertoli cell division to occur beyond the 15th postnatal day, the commonly recognized cutoff date for Sertoli cell divisions. It has been shown that an increased population of Sertoli cells in postnatal development supports increased numbers of germ cells in adult animals. After examining developing rats treated neonatally with PTU, we hypothesized that an approximate 10-day delay in maturation was occurring and proceeded to test this hypothesis experimentally. Thus the purpose of this report was to determine if a 10-day delay in maturation could explain the increased numbers of Sertoli cells and increased testis size in PTU-treated animals. METHODS: Both control animals and animals treated neonatally with PTU N = 5/group were sacrificed at 15 and 25 days of age and prepared for electron microscopy. RESULTS: Micrographs show and morphometric ultrastructural analysis of numerous parameters demonstrated at the 95% probability level that Sertoli cells from 25-day-old PTU animals are not different in size and most constituents (volume and surface area) from 15-day-old control animals and are less mature than 25-day-old control animals. Mitosis of Sertoli cells was observed in PTU-treated animals in 25-day-old animals but not in age-matched controls. The number of Sertoli cells in 25-day-old PTU-treated animals is significantly increased over age-matched controls. Micrographs show the presence of immature Sertoli cell nuclei in 25-day-old animals receiving PTU as well as increased germ cell degeneration in this group. Sertoli cell tight junction formation is also delayed in PTU-treated animals as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Together, the data show that delayed maturation of Sertoli cells occurs in treated animals that corresponds to a minimum of 10 developmental days. In the immature state, Sertoli cells continue to divide. Data presented herein and published data related to PTU treatment indicate that delayed maturation of the Sertoli cell results in delayed maturation and proliferation of other testicular cell types. From this and from published data, the hypothesis is presented that the Sertoli cell is responsible for the overall control of testis development.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Testicular and epididymal plasmacytoma: a report of 7 cases, including three that were the initial manifestation of plasma cell myeloma.

We report the cases of six men, 40 to 89 years of age, with testicular (6 cases) or epididymal (1 case) plasmacytoma. Patients presented with a mass in five cases. One tumor was found during evaluation of progressive myeloma. In the final case, the testicular lesion was identified when the patient presented with pathologic fractures. Gross inspection revealed discrete or, less often, ill-defined lesions. Microscopic examination disclosed masses of atypical plasma cells, including binucleated and multinucleated cells and, occasionally, anaplastic cells that obliterated the underlying parenchyma or invaded between seminiferous or epididymal tubules. Immunohistochemical stains on paraffin sections in five cases showed tumor cell expression of monotypic cytoplasmic immunoglobulin. The cells were positive for the leukocyte common antigen (CD45) in three of five cases. All four cases tested were negative for B (CD20) and T (CD3) cell specific antigens and for CD30 and placental alkaline phosphatase. Expression of CD43, CD45RO, and epithelial membrane antigen was found in three, two, and one of four cases respectively. All the patients also had plasma cell neoplasia distant from the testis, identified before (3 cases), concurrent with (3 cases) or after (1 case) the testicular or epididymal plasmacytoma. In one patient a plasmacytoma developed in the contralateral testis three years later; he was alive with plasma cell myeloma 51 months after diagnosis. Another had a plasmacytoma in the contralateral epididymis 8 years later; he also had a nasal cavity plasmacytoma and multiple subcutaneous plasmacytomas, and was alive and well after 26 years. One additional patient was alive with myeloma 6 months later, and four final patients died between 2 months and 3 years after orchiectomy. Three of the four consultation cases in this series were submitted with diagnoses of spermatocytic seminoma, anaplastic seminoma and lymphoma. The diagnosis of plasmacytoma should be borne in mind when examining testicular or paratesticular tumors with a diffuse pattern without glandular differentiation, particularly in men 40 years of age or older.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Testicular development following unilateral orchiopexy measured by a new orchiometer.

Of 170 patients having undergone orchiopexy for unilateral cryptorchid testes, 90 responded to our inquiry. Testicular size was measured in 55 patients using an accurate and practical orchiometer (punched-out orchiometer) developed in our department. In boys under ten years of age (prepubertal), testicular development was minimal, and the operated on and contralateral testes were not significantly different. With the onset of puberty, both testes enlarged, and no significant differences were observed. However, by age fourteen the side operated on was significantly (p less than 0.05) less well developed than the contralateral testis. No difference was detected clinically between the operated on and contralateral testes when the contralateral testis was less than 10 mL in volume. When the contralateral testis was greater than 15 mL, however, a significant difference was detected both statistically (p less than 0.05) and clinically. The findings suggest limited prospects for the development of testes that are operated on at puberty.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Endocrine function and regulation of the fetal and neonatal testis.

An interesting sex difference prevails in the early development of endocrine functions in the ovary and testis. The testis actively produces androgens already in utero whereas the physiologically important steroid hormone production of the ovary does not start until puberty. Likewise, the different components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis seem to mature earlier in the male. The hormonal regulation of the fetal testes differs in many respects from that of the adult, and these differences make it possible for the fetal testes to function in the intrauterine endocrine milieu. The purpose of this review is to summarize our findings on the development, special functional characteristics and physiological role of the fetal and neonatal pituitary-gonadal axis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of seminoma of the testis].

From 1965 through 1988, 113 patients affected with testicular seminoma were treated at the Dept. of Radiotherapy, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Mean age of the patients was 38 years; in 70 cases tumor developed in the right testis and in 43 in the left one. In 9 patients underlying cryptorchidism was observed. All cases underwent radical orchiectomy. Histology diagnosed anaplastic seminoma in 5 cases and pure seminoma in all the other patients. Structures were involved in 7 cases. Eighty-four patients were in stage I, 20 in stage IIA, 4 in IIB, 4 in IIIA, and 1 in stage IIIB. All patients staged as I and IIA were treated with exclusive radiotherapy on paraaortic lymph nodes and inguinal and iliac lymph nodes of the involved sites (total doses: 28-35 Gy in stage I and 34-40 Gy in stage IIA). Before 1970 these patients underwent prophylactic irradiation of mediastinum and of left supraclavicular lymph nodes (total dose: 25-28 Gy). Patients in stage IIB were administered subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes irradiation with inverted-Y field (total dose: 36-45 Gy). Two cases were irradiated also on mediastinum and left supraclavicular lymph nodes, and 2 received two cycles of polychemotherapy (PVB) before irradiation. Patients in stage IIIA underwent sub-/supra-diaphragmatic irradiation (total dose: 40-45 Gy, and 40-42 Gy). The case in stage IIIB underwent palliation chemotherapy and local irradiation. All cases in stages I, IIA and IIB obtained complete remission. Three cases of the 4 in stage IIIA obtained complete remission (75%), while 1 (25%) progressed and died 8 months after diagnosis; the only case in stage IIIB progressed and died after 7 months of follow-up. Two cases in stage I recurred (2.4%), 1 in the mediastinum and 1 in the left supraclavicular lymph nodes. Both were cured with salvage radiation therapy. Toxicity related to treatment was low. Two cases in stage I developed secondary malignant neoplasms, at 4 and 34 months of follow-up, respectively.

Adult↗