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At least 1,369 records · Page 76Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Cadmium-induced changes in luminal fluid pH in testis and epididymis of the rat in vivo.

The effects of a single low subcutaneous dose of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (2.7 mg/kg body weight) on in situ pH in the rat testis and epididymis, plasma testosterone, and testis and epididymis weights were investigated in this study. Values for in situ pH in seminiferous tubules (6.97 +/- 0.01), proximal caput (6.62 +/- 0.01), middle caput (6.59 +/- 0.01), and proximal cauda epididymidis (6.84 +/- 0.01) of sham-treated rats were significantly more acid than systemic arterial blood pH (7.41 +/- 0.01). Cadmium (Cd) administration was associated with significant alkalinization of luminal fluid in seminiferous tubules (7.17 +/- 0.02) and in proximal (7.02 +/- 0.04) and middle caput (6.99 +/- 0.03), but not in proximal cauda epididymidis (6.88 +/- 0.02), after 1 d. Eleven days after Cd administration, marked alkalinization of luminal fluid was observed in all segments studied including proximal cauda epididymidis (7.21 +/- 0.02). Plasma testosterone concentration in sham-treated rats was 1.93 +/- 0.30 ng/ml and was reduced significantly after 1 d (0.56 +/- 0.06 ng/ml) and persisted after 11 d postexposure (0.57 +/- 0.07 ng/ml). Testis and epididymis weights were not altered 1 d after Cd exposure but were significantly reduced after 11 d. These studies suggest that the alkalization observed in luminal fluid of seminiferous tubules and epididymal duct of the rat after subcutaneous CdCl2 administration may be the result of structural degeneration of the testis associated with inhibition of Leydig-cell androgen production.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of orally administered cadmium on in situ pH, PCO2, and bicarbonate concentration in rat testis and epididymis.

Acute injections of high doses of cadmium (Cd) induce marked testicular necrosis. However, the effects of low-dose oral Cd exposure, on a chronic basis, are not well documented. The present investigation was designed to examine the effects of such exposure on in situ pH, PCO2, and bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3-]) in the rat testis and epididymis, plasma testosterone levels, and testis and epididymis weights. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 50 or 100 ppm Cd for 40 d. Oral administration of 50 or 100 ppm Cd was associated with significant alkalinization of luminal fluid in seminiferous tubules (ST) but did not alter in situ pH values in proximal caput (PCP), middle caput (MCP), or proximal cauda epididymidis (PCD). The in situ PCO2 values in ST, PCP, MCP, and PCD of control animals were indistinguishable from each other and from values after Cd exposure, and all values were significantly higher than system arterial blood (SAB) PCO2. Oral Cd exposure at 50 or 100 ppm did not change the values for bicarbonate in SAB, PCP, or MCP but increased markedly the value in ST. Plasma testosterone levels and testis and epididymis weights were not altered after oral cadmium administration. These findings suggest that, at the doses employed in this study, Cd exposure may result in subtle alterations in the blood-testis barrier and subsequent impairment of acid-base pathways. Furthermore, the traditional view of Cd-related testicular insult based on acute injection protocols needs to be reevaluated in terms of environmental relevance.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1980

The measurement of rectal and testis temperature in conscious mice, with observations on the effect of direct heating.

The application of Newton's law of cooling to freshly killed mice was found not to measure accurately their rectal or testis temperature. Improvements in the fitting process gave satisfactory results for rectal temperature only. A diffusion model was applied to testis cooling but was of no avail. Finally a satisfactory correction factor was determined empirically. This method was applied to conscious mice whose hindquarters were immersed in a stirred oilbath at 34 to 42 degrees C for 1 h, and to controls. It was found that both rectal and testis temperatures increased with bath temperature, producing a graph with a slope of only 0.5, indicating a regulatory capacity. Conscious mice, but not anaesthetised, can maintain a testis temperature of 39 degrees C in a bath at 42 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Sry expression level and protein isoform differences play a role in abnormal testis development in C57BL/6J mice carrying certain Sry alleles.

Transfer of certain Mus domesticus-derived Y chromosomes (Sry(DOM) alleles, e.g., Sry(POS) and Sry(AKR)) onto the C57BL/6J (B6) mouse strain causes abnormal gonad development due to an aberrant interaction between the Sry(DOM) allele and the B6-derived autosomal (tda) genes. For example, B6 XY(POS) fetuses develop ovaries and ovotestes and B6 XY(AKR) fetuses have delayed testis cord development. To test whether abnormal testis development is caused by insufficient Sry(DOM) expression, two approaches were used. First, gonad development and relative Sry expression levels were examined in fetal gonads from two strains of B6 mice that contained a single M. domesticus-derived and a single M. musculus-derived Sry allele (B6-Y(POS,RIII) and B6-Y(AKR,RIII)). In both cases, presence of the M. musculus Sry(RIII) allele corrected abnormal testis development. On the B6 background, Sry(POS) was expressed at about half the level of Sry(RIII) whereas Sry(AKR) and Sry(RIII) were equally expressed. On an F(1) hybrid background, both Sry(POS) and Sry(RIII) expression increased, but Sry(POS) expression increased to a greater extent. Second, sexual development and Sry expression levels were determined in XX mice carrying a transgene expressing Sry(POS) controlled by POS-derived or MUS-derived regulatory regions. In both cases one B6 transgenic line was recovered in which XX transgenic mice developed only testicular tissue but cord development was delayed despite normal Sry transcriptional initiation and overexpression. For three transgenes where B6 XX transgenic mice developed as females, hermaphrodites, or males, the percentage of XX transgenic males increased on an F(1) background. For the one transgene examined, Sry expression increased on an F(1) background. These results support a model in which delayed testis development is caused by the presence of particular DOM SRY protein isoforms and this, combined with insufficient Sry expression, causes sex reversal. These results also indicate that at least one tda gene regulates Sry expression, possibly by directly binding to Sry regulatory regions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Inconstant ascending testis as a potential risk factor for spermatogenesis in infertile men with no history of cryptorchism.

The usual testicular location, either low or high in the scrotum, as well as testis ascent into suprascrotal position at least once a week from a usually scrotal position reported by the patient to occur spontaneously and regularly, were recorded in 85 fertile and 1014 infertile men, including 95 with a history of cryptorchism. The frequency of at least one testis being in a high scrotal location was similar in fertile (16.5%) and non-cryptorchid infertile (17%) men but higher in previously cryptorchid infertile men (27.2%), a difference probably due to cryptorchism. Testicular ascent was more frequent when scrotal location was high rather than low. An ascending testis was encountered more frequently in previously cryptorchid (30.4%) than in non-cryptorchid infertile men without any history of cryptorchism (18.3%) or in fertile men (11.8%). Moreover, in infertile men, spermatogenesis was more depressed in cases of testicular ascent than when both testes were never ascending, independently of a varicocele. Testis ascent could be a risk factor for spermatogenesis in infertile men without any history of maldescended testicle.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Doppler ultrasound of the testis in azoospermic subjects as a parameter of testicular function.

Azoospermia frequently represents the end-point of different pathological conditions that cause important quantitative and qualitative alterations of both spermatogenesis and testicular structure, including intratesticular blood vessels. In this study we performed colour Doppler ultrasound of the testis in 12 azoospermic subjects affected by primary testicular pathology (four bilateral post-orchitis, four postradiotheraphy for cancer, four post-traumatic) aged 28.2+/-3.3 (mean+/-SD) years, in six subjects affected by obstructive azoospermia aged 29.7+/-2.4 years and in 20 age-matched fertile subjects (aged 28.6+/-2.5 years). The analysis of intratesticular vessels per organ was quantified using a semiquantitative score: category 0, no vessels visible; category 1, between one and three intratesticular vessels visible; and category 2, more than three vessels visible. In obstructive azoospermic patients and in fertile subjects there were always more than three intratesticular vessels. No intratesticular vessels were detected in eight testes (33.3%) and fewer than three vessels in 16 testes (66.6%) in subjects affected by primary testicular pathology. In azoospermic subjects the testicular structure of the testis was evaluated by diagnostic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) performed in the middle portion of the testis. In non-obstructive azoospermic patients this procedure showed the presence of only Sertoli cells in all cases. When detectable vessels were present, a new aspiration was performed in these areas. In 12 out of 16 cases, spermatogenetic cells including mature spermatozoa, were found when the FNAC was performed in testicular regions showing the presence of blood vessels. These results indicate that colour Doppler sonography of the testis may be useful in the differential diagnosis of azoospermia and suggest the evaluation of the intratesticular blood vessel distribution before performing any method to retrieve intratesticular spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison between chromatin condensation and morphology from testis biopsy extracted and ejaculated spermatozoa and their relationship to ICSI outcome.

A significant association between male subfertility, imperfect spermiation and abnormal nuclear condensation has been suggested. The DNA content of spermatozoa might be responsible for inducing alterations in sperm morphology. The final nuclear shape, which is species-specific, depends on chromatin condensation during spermatogenesis as well as a precise organization of DNA within the nucleus. Many reports have described the association between disturbances in sperm chromatin condensation, morphology and male infertility. Chromatin condensation is achieved by gradual substitution of lysinerich somatic histones by testis-specific histone and finally by protamine. In this study two groups of patients were compared: the first consisted of 63 patients who had undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with freshly ejaculated spermatozoa whereas the second included 47 patients assigned to ICSI with testes biopsy-extracted spermatozoa. In both groups chromatin condensation was assessed by aniline blue staining and morphology evaluated according to strict criteria. The condensed chromatin and morphology of spermatozoa were significantly (P < 0.0001) less in the second group compared to the first. However the fertilization, cleavage, implantation and pregnancy rates were almost the same in both investigated groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to ICSI outcome. The percentage of chromatin condensation (nuclear maturity) and morphologically-normal spermatozoa were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the ejaculated spermatozoa than in those from testis biopsy but the ICSI outcome (fertilization, cleavage, implantation and pregnancy rates) was the same. In view of these results the fertilization capability and the embryo quality obtained using testis biopsy extracted spermatozoa is not influenced by chromatin condensation and sperm morphology in testicular sperm extraction (TESE)-ICSI programmes. Therefore, it could be said that neither chromatin condensation nor morphology of testis extracted sperm could predict the fertilization, implantation and pregnancy rate in TESE-ICSI programmes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Mutations in the testis-specific NALP14 gene in men suffering from spermatogenic failure.

BACKGROUND: Because of the common use of ICSI and the potential genetic aetiology of spermatogenic failure, concern has been raised about transmitting genetic disorders to ICSI offspring. However, to date, in only approximately 15% of all cases of spermatogenic failure, an underlying genetic cause can be identified. We have previously established an association between spermatogenic failure and chromosomal region 11p15. In this study, we set out to explore whether NALP14, a gene recently mapped to 11p15, has a function in spermatogenesis and whether mutations in NALP14 can cause spermatogenic failure. METHODS: We applied two different multiple tissue northern (MTN) blots to determine tissue specificity of NALP14 and performed immunohistochemistry on human testis with anti-NALP14 antiserum. To determine imprinting status of NALP14, we tested the expression pattern of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human testis. Finally, we performed a mutation screen of the NALP14 gene in 157 men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia by direct sequencing; 158 normospermic men served as controls. RESULTS: NALP14 was, as are the three other genes in 11p15, exclusively expressed in testis. Within the testis, the NALP14 protein was mainly expressed in A dark spermatogonia, mid and late spermatocytes and spermatids. The mutation screen revealed five mutations that occurred only in the patient group. One of these unique mutations introduced an early stop codon in the NALP14 sequence, predicted to result in a severely truncated protein. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that NALP14 has a function in spermatogenesis and that mutations in this gene might cause spermatogenic failure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Identification and characterization of a novel calcineurin-binding protein in scallop testis.

Calcineurin has been inferred to function in meiosis and spermiogenesis in testis. Here, we identified a calcineurin-binding protein in scallop testis by Far-Western blot analysis using purified calcineurin as a probe. The molecular mass of the binding protein estimated on the blot was 75 kDa. The isolated cDNA clone encoded a novel 474-residue protein, named CaNBP75. The region between T6 and A210 of CaNBP75 was responsible for the interaction with calcineurin. CaNBP75 was predominantly expressed in testis and ovary of scallop. Thus, CaNBP75 may modulate the physiological function of calcineurin in the testis and ovary of scallop, such as in spermiogenesis or meiosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Rapidly evolving genes of Drosophila: differing levels of selective pressure in testis, ovary, and head tissues between sibling species.

Investigations of rapidly evolving sex- and reproduction-related genes are expected to reveal important information about the process of speciation and species divergence. We screened testis, ovary, and head tissues to identify and characterize rapidly evolving genes (REGs) between closely related species. The results show differential patterns of evolution of genes expressed in reproductive and nonreproductive tissues. (1) There is a differential distribution of REGs in the Drosophila genome, with most REGs localized in the testis, followed by ovary, and then head. (2) Sequence analysis indicates that differential selective pressures are driving the rapid evolution of genes expressed in sex and nonsex tissues. Testis REGs from our data, on average, yielded higher rates of nonsynonymous substitutions relative to transcripts in ovary and head, indicating stronger selective pressures on the male reproductive system. (3) We identified REGs in the testis, ovary, as well as in head tissue that show evidence of evolving under positive selection. Identification of rapidly evolving sex genes is important for detailed investigations of cryptic female choice, sexual conflict, and faster male evolution and is pertinent to our understanding of the process of species divergence and speciation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification of structural elements of the testis-specific voltage dependent calcium channel that potentially regulate its biophysical properties.

Calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels regulates the physiological acrosome reaction of mammalian spermatozoa. Expression of the mRNA for these voltage-dependent calcium channels and its co-ordinated translation is initiated early in rat male germ line development and continues throughout spermatogenesis. Herein, we report the complete mRNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the alpha1c pore-forming subunit of the rat testis-specific L-type calcium channel. This subunit is transcribed from the alpha1c gene, which is also expressed in brain and cardiac muscle. The cardiac- and testis-specific isoforms of the alpha1c subunit are produced by alternate splicing of the same primary transcript. The testis-specific isoform differs from that of cardiac tissue at its amino terminus and in transmembrane segments IS6, IIIS2 and IVS3, which are also dihydropyridine binding sites. In somatic tissues, segments S2 and S3 regulate channel activation while the amino terminus and segment IS6 contribute to channel inactivation kinetics. The amino terminus and IS6 segment of the testis-specific alpha1c subunit are also expressed respectively, in the brain and in smooth muscle from lung where they alter the electrophysiological characteristics of the subunit to produce relatively slow inactivation kinetics. These findings provide a molecular explanation for the detection by others, by patch clamp analysis, of T-type calcium currents in immature spermatogenic cells and of atypical L-type calcium currents in mature spermatozoa.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2002

Cloning and characterization of a human orthologue of testis-specific succinyl CoA: 3-oxo acid CoA transferase (Scot-t) cDNA.

Succinyl CoA: 3-oxo acid CoA transferase (scot; EC 2.8.3.5) is a key enzyme for metabolism of ketone bodies. Previously, we have cloned a testis-specific succinyl CoA: 3-oxo acid CoA transferase (scot-t) cDNA from a subtracted cDNA library of mouse testis and demonstrated its expression to be specific to late haploid male germ cells. In this study, the human orthologue of mouse scot-t was cloned and characterized. The entire coding region of the mRNA and the deduced amino acid sequence of human Scot-t (h-Scot-t) showed 75.4 and 75.8% identity with mouse scot-t respectively. The mRNA was exclusively expressed in the testis, and the protein was localized to the midpiece of ejaculated spermatozoa where mitochondria exist. We showed that the h-Scot-t gene was intronless by using a polymerase chain reaction technique and that a non-functional pseudogene, 98% similar to h-Scot-t, was also located on the human genome (1p33-34.3). Furthermore, the genomic structure of the actual h-Scot-t transcription unit was found to be located in an intron (1p34.1-35.3) of the bone morphogenetic protein 8 (BMP8) gene. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that h-Scot-t is a single intronless gene specifically expressed in the testis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Prolactin receptor expression in human testis and accessory tissues: localization and function.

Experimental studies in animals have established prolactin (PRL) as a progonadal hormone that promotes the function of the testis and reproductive accessory glands. The present study investigated the localization of PRL receptor (PRL-R) expression in the human testis and accessory tissues. Expression of PRL-R was identified in human testis and vas deferens by RT-PCR, and further localized by immunohistochemistry to the Leydig cells and differentiating germ cells of the testis (developmental stages extending from pachytene spermatocytes to elongating spermatids). Positive staining for PRL-R was also clearly evident in the epithelium of vas deferens, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles. Functional activation of PRL-R was demonstrated in fresh samples of vas deferens collected at vasectomy by examination of the JAK/STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription) and MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signalling pathways. Within the vas deferens, PRL induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK 2 and STAT 5 (after 10 and 20 min respectively), and tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation of ERK 1 and 2 (after 5 min). The demonstration of function and localization of PRL-R presented here suggests multiple roles for PRL in the human male reproductive tract.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Novel testis-expressed profilin IV associated with acrosome biogenesis and spermatid elongation.

A novel profilin, named profilin IV, was cloned and characterized as a testicular isoform, distinct from the previously described testis-specific profilin III. Profilin IV showed only 30% amino acid identity with the other mammalian profilins; nevertheless, database searches produced significant alignments with the conserved profilin domain. Northern blot analysis and in situ transcript hybridization suggested that profilin IV, like profilin III, is transcribed in the germ cells. However, the timing of their expression during post-natal development of rat testis and in the rat spermatogenetic cycle was distinct. In the human testis, profilin IV mRNA expression correlates with the presence of germ cells suggesting that it may be a suitable molecular diagnostic parameter to supplement conventional histopathological diagnostics in the assessment of testicular biopsies. The predicted profilin IV protein was verified employing an anti-oligopeptide antibody. Western blot analysis detected an immunorelated testicular protein of approximately 14 kDa. Immunohistochemistry revealed an intracellular protein of the rat, the mouse and the human testis accumulating asymmetrically in the cytoplasm of round and elongating spermatids with its perinuclear location coinciding with the position of the developing acrosome-acroplaxome and the manchette. Profilin IV thus may regulate testicular actin cytoskeleton dynamics and play a role in acrosome generation and spermatid nuclear shaping.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1999

SR protein-specific kinase 1 is highly expressed in testis and phosphorylates protamine 1.

Arginine/serine protein kinases constitute a novel class of enzymes that can modify arginine/serine (RS) dipeptide motifs. SR splicing factors that are essential for pre-mRNA splicing are among the best characterized proteins that contain RS domains. TwoSRprotein-specifickinases, SRPK1 and SRPK2, have been considered as highly specific for the phosphorylation of these proteins, thereby contributing to splicing regulation. However, despite the fact that SR proteins are more or less conserved among metazoa and have a rather ubiquitous tissue distribution we now demonstrate that SRPK1 is predominantly expressed in testis. In situ expression analysis on transverse sections of adult mouse testis shows that SRPK1 mRNA is abundant in all germinal cells but not in mature spermatozoa. RS kinase activity was found primarily in the cytosol and only minimal activity was detected in the nucleus. In a search for testis-specific substrates of SRPK1 we found that the enzyme phosphorylates human protamine 1 as well as a cytoplasmic pool of SR proteins present in the testis. Protamine 1 belongs to a family of small basic arginine-rich proteins that replace histones during the development of mature spermatozoa. The result of this progressive replacement is the formation of a highly compact chromatin structure devoid of any transcriptional activity. These findings indicate that SRPK1 may have a role not only in pre-mRNA splicing, but also in the condensation of sperm chromatin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Ethnic differences in testis size: a possible link with the cytogenetics of true hermaphroditism.

Data on human testis size, although scanty and suffering from lack of standardization, suggest the existence of marked ethnic differences, testes being larger in Caucasian than in Oriental populations. According to the cytogenetic evidence, the most frequent sex chromosome constitution found in Caucasian and African black true hermaphrodites is XX, while XY hermaphroditism seems to be more prevalent in Japan. Based on genetic data on testis size in mice, on embryological findings on the timing of gonadal differentiation in the gonads of XX and XY mammalian fetuses, as well as on a recent model of the genetics of gonadal differentiation, it is postulated that genes for large testis size predispose to XX hermaphroditism and those for small testis size to XY hermaphroditism.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on the testis-specific histone TH2B of the rat.

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on rat testis was studied biochemically and histologically. The earliest change in nuclear basic proteins was a decrease and disappearance of the testis-specific protein (TP); the disappearance approximately coincided with cessation of growth. At later stages of deficiency, the testis-specific histone TH2B was markedly reduced and in some cases disappeared, as did the TH1 histone band. Histological studies indicated that the loss of TH2B and TH1 requires a substantial degree of testicular degeneration, because they could still be detected to some extent in testes containing mainly Sertoli cells, reduced numbers of spermatogonia and very few spermatocytes. The effect of retinol in maintaining the germ cells and the testis-specific basic proteins TP and TH2B was very specific, in that it could not be replaced by retinoic acid, which can maintain normal body growth. Prolonged supplementation of vitamin A-deficient animals with retinyl palmitate partially restored the levels of TP, TH2B, and TH1.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effects of heparin and polyamines on the phosphorylation of high mobility group proteins by cyclic nucleotide-independent phosvitin kinase from pig testis.

In order to study the physiological role played by cyclic nucleotide-independent phosvitin kinase in pig testis, effects of heparin (an inhibitor of RNA synthesis) and polyamines (stimulators of the synthesis) on the enzyme, distribution in nuclei of the enzyme, and identification of endogenous substrates for the enzyme were examined. The enzyme was shown to be inhibited by heparin, nd the inhibition was removed by the addition of polyamines, when phosvitin (the best exogenous substrate for the enzyme) was used as substrate. The inhibition by heparin and inhibition removal by polyamines was dependent on Mg2+ concentration. The enzyme was found to be present in pig testis nuclei as well as in the cytosol. The enzyme phosphorylated chromatin-associated non-histone proteins in the testis nuclei. Of the non-histone proteins, high mobility group (HMG) 14 and 17 were identified as substrates for the enzyme. Phosphorylation of HMG 14 and 17 was also inhibited by heparin and inhibition of HMG 14 phosphorylation was removed by the addition of polyamines, although the effect was less dependent on Mg2+ concentration. These results suggested that phosvitin kinase was involved in the regulation of RNA synthesis int he testis.

Animals↗