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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Gene expression in bovine seminal vesicles.

Seminal vesicle secretion contributes significantly to the proteins of bovine seminal plasma. The following proteins from bull seminal vesicle were isolated and characterized: major protein (PDC 109), the basic proteins BUSI II, RNAse BS1, protein P6 and seminal antimicrobial protein (SAP). Using antibodies against the proteins BUSI II, RNAse BS1, SAP and major protein, the seminal vesicle epithelium was identified as the source of the respective antigens. The biosynthesis of bovine seminal vesicle secretory proteins was studied by cell free translation of poly (A)-RNA from seminal vesicles and the respective mRNAs were characterized by cDNA cloning. Recombinant clones (103) of a cDNA library of bull seminal vesicle poly (A) + RNA were screened by colony hybridisation using radioactively labelled synthetic probes. The respective clone containing the longest cDNA insert was sequenced. In case of major protein the Mr of the 134 amino acid residue precursor polypeptide was 15,480 as deduced from direct mRNA sequencing. The precursor sequence of 25 amino acid residues has a hydrophobic character and very likely constitutes a signal peptide, directing the protein towards the secretory pathway. The deduced amino acid sequence contained no consensus sequence indicative of N-glycosylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Leukocytospermia and function of the seminal vesicles on seminal quality.

OBJECTIVE: To determine possible relationships between number of leukocytes, function of seminal vesicles, and seminal quality. DESIGN: The study was carried out on men who consecutively attended an infertility clinic between June 1989 to June 1991. SETTING: This study was conducted in a private immunological center for infertility, a tertiary care center, The Centro Immunológico-Sección Esterilidad y Reproducción. PATIENTS: Semen samples from 280 infertility patients attending an Immunological Center for Infertility were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We evaluated the effect of leukocytospermia in the presence of normal or abnormal function of seminal vesicles on seminal quality. RESULTS: Sperm count, percent of motile sperm, and percent of sperm vitality were significantly reduced when both leukocytospermia and hypofunction of seminal vesicles were present (P less than 0.01). Leukocytospermic subjects with normal function of seminal vesicles showed similar seminal parameters to those nonleukocytspermics. The incidence of subjects with antisperm antibodies measured by direct immunobeads was significantly higher in leukocytospermic men with hypofunction of seminal vesicles. No differences in the incidence of antisperm antibodies with nonleukocytospermic samples were observed in those with both leukocytospermia and normal function of seminal vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that white blood cells were deleterious for seminal quality when seminal vesicles were also affected.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Corrected seminal fructose levels: index of secretory activity of seminal vesicles.

Seminal fructose, sperm count, and sperm motility were measured in 340 men attending an infertility clinic. Seminal fructose correlates negatively with sperm count but not with sperm motility. The best correlation between sperm count and seminal fructose was obtained using the logarithm (log) of sperm count. When seminal fructose was multiplied by the log of sperm count obtaining a value named "corrected fructose," the correlation with sperm count disappeared, and there was positive correlation between corrected seminal fructose and sperm motility. Therefore, corrected seminal fructose level was significantly lower in asthenospermic than in normomotile subjects, irrespective of the sperm count. Corrected seminal fructose, but not seminal fructose levels, was lowered in subjects with either low levels of serum testosterone (less than 3 ng/ml) or evidence of an obstructive process in the reproductive tract. In both situations sperm motility was also reduced. The corrected fructose level was not affected by the presence of varicocele, hyperprolactinemia, or hyperserotoninemia. Measurement of corrected seminal fructose rather than seminal fructose may be a useful marker of the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Haemorrhagic papillary cystadenoma of the seminal vesicle mimicking giant seminal vesicle cyst: MRI appearances.

Papillary cystadenoma of the seminal vesicle is very rare. We describe such a case presenting in a 58 year old man with bladder outlet obstruction. Investigations included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the usefulness of which in pre-operative diagnosis is highlighted in this case. Seminal vesicle cysts can usually be identified by conventional radiological imaging techniques such as ultrasound and computed tomography; however, identification would be difficult if the cyst is very large, causing distortion of the adjacent anatomy. In such cases, MRI, through coronal and sagittal scanning, can be helpful in localising the lesion, as in this patient. The precise pathological nature of the cyst can only be confirmed by biopsy.

Cystadenoma↗
PubMed1976

Calcium-binding protein in bull seminal vesicle secretion and seminal plasma.

A protein which showed high affinity for calcium ions was isolated from bull seminal vesicle secretion and seminal plasma. Its calcium-binding activity depended on the ionic strength and pH of the medium. The dissociation constant was 7-7 X 10(-7) M and there were 14 binding sites per protein molecule. The molecular weight of calcium-binding protein from bull seminal vesicle secretion, estimated by the gel filtration method, was 110,000. The protein may be involved in the regulation of the calcium ion level in seminal plasma.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Morphology and functions of the human seminal vesicle.

The seminal vesicles originate in embryos of about 58 mm crown-rump-length from the Wolffian duct under the influence of testosterone. Along with the ampulla of the vas deferens and the ejaculatory duct, they form a functional unit that develops slowly until the onset of puberty. Developmental malformations occur as uni- or bilateral agenesis, aplasia, cysts, or ureterovesicular fistules. After puberty, the glands form sac-like structures which have a capacity of about 3.4-4.5 ccm and contribute about 70% of the seminal fluid. In addition to secretion, they are capable of reabsorption of fluids or dissolved substances, and of spermatophagy (ingestion and degradation of damaged spermatozoa by epithelial cells). Secretory activity of the glands is a measure of testosterone supplementation to the epithelium. Nervous regulation of secretion is realized by cholinergic post-ganglionic, sympathetic (and perhaps parasympathetic) fibres, derived from pelvic plexus. Contraction of the muscular wall occurs under the influence of excitatory adrenergic and modulatory NPY-encephalin-peptidergic nerve fibres. The secretory products of the seminal vesicles encompass (1) ions (K+: 1.1 mM ml-1) (2) low molecular weight substances (fructose: above 1.2 mg ml-1; prostaglandins above 250 microliters ml-1, (3) peptides (endorphin: 330 pg ml-1), and (4) proteins. In addition to plasma protein related forms such as transferrin, lactoferrin, and fibronectin, specific proteins such as semenogelin (52 kDa) are synthesized, the scaffold protein of semen coagulate forming the substrate for PSA (prostate specific antigen), sperm motility inhibitor (ca. 18 kDa), and others (placental protein 5, protein kinase inhibitor, carboanhydrase, 5'-nucleotidase), some of which are immunosuppressive. Therefore, functions of the seminal vesicles concern (a) formation of seminal coagulum, (b) modification of sperm functions (motility, capacitation), and (c) immunosuppression. Additional functions within the female genital system, perhaps during pre-implantation period, are likely, but remain to be proven experimentally.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Expression of opioid genes in bovine seminal vesicles.

In seminal vesicles, the organ producing most of seminal plasma in the bovine species, the pro-opiomelanocortin and the proenkephalin genes are transcribed and translated, and their translation products processed into opioid peptides, which are secreted into the seminal plasma. By using a micro-organ preparation of seminal vesicles we found that, after 20 h of incubation with labelled methionine, a multiplicity of opioids was produced. Among these, [Met]enkephalin and beta-endorphin were positively identified, whereas in the newly formed secretion only [Met]enkephalin was detected. This may be correlated to the finding that the concentration of beta-endorphin in an extract of seminal plasma was one order of magnitude lower than that of [Leu]enkephalin and [Met]enkephalin. These findings expand the picture of the presence of opioid peptides in the male reproductive tract, indicating that they should have a role(s) in the physiology of reproduction, not only in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, determining the reproductive potential, but also in the so-termed sex accessory glands, determining the actual events leading to reproduction. To our knowledge this is also the first case studied of opioid peptides produced as exocrine hormones.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Functions of the seminal vesicle.

The seminal vesicle is a gland which appeared late in the evolution of placental mammals. Vesiculectomy leads to very serious subfertility demonstrating the important role of this gland. Secretions of the seminal vesicle act during coitus and the maturation of the spermatozoon, on its mobility, its freezing capacity and the condensation of chromatin. These secretions also act on the female genital tract because they possess immunodepressive capacity. Due to their high concentration of prostaglandins, they can modify the contraction of smooth muscle. As shown by the animal model, they have an antibacterial role in the male genital tract. This explains the relatively low frequency of purely vesicular infections in human pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Biological functions of mouse seminal vesicle fluid. II. Role of water-soluble fraction of seminal vesicle fluid as a nonspecific immunomodulator.

The suppressive mechanisms of T cells induced by water-soluble fraction of mouse seminal vesicle fluid (WSF-SVF) were investigated to clarify its immunological roles in the reproductive immunity. WSF-SVF inhibited the blastogenic responses to concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) of T cells. Pretreatment of splenocytes with WSF-SVF did not suppress the blastogenesis of splenocytes to Con A when treated cells were washed before cultures. WSF-SVF did not inhibit the proliferation of Con A-activated splenocytes, that of listeria-immune splenocytes to listeral antigen and growth of tumor cells (Yac 1 cells, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, EL 4 cells). Listerial antigen-specific immune response was not observed when mice were immunized with both listerial antigen and WSF-SVF, whereas it was observed when mice were immunized with only listerial antigen. WSF-SVF also significantly inhibited allogenic MLR. WSF-SVF did not adsorb Con A, and its suppressive activity was rather enhanced by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min. These results suggest that WSF-SVF inhibits the stage of sensitization of T cells with antigen or stimulant, such as mitogen nonspecifically, without adsorption to antigen or mitogen, and its substance is stable.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Ultrasonic diagnosis of seminal vesicle cyst.

Seminal vesicle cysts are uncommon, particularly when associated with ipsilateral agenesis of the kidney, ureter, and/or trigone. This entity should be considered when a cystic pelvic mass is seen in a young male. B-scan ultrasound can be of considerable aid in making the diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Internal surface and fine structure of the rat seminal vesicle.

The seminal vesicle of the rat was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The internal surface of the organ is partitioned into small areas by a system of elevated ridges of connective tissue and covered by a columnar epithelium. This consists of small basal cells, presumably reserve elements, and larger ones containing the typical cell organelles involved in protein synthesis. The surface of the cell is covered with slender microvilli, varying in height and number from region to region. It is suggested that they are involved in the maintenance of hydration and/or regulation of low molecular weight substances in the secretion product. The latter develops from small granules which pass the apical cell border and then fuse together as larger drops.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Induction of functional cytodifferentiation in the epithelium of tissue recombinants. I. Homotypic seminal vesicle recombinants.

Functional cytodifferentiation of seminal vesicle epithelium was investigated in tissue recombinants. Neonatal rat and mouse seminal vesicles were separated into epithelium and mesenchyme using trypsin. Epithelium and mesenchyme were then recombined in vitro to form interspecific rat/mouse homotypic recombinants. Growth as renal grafts in adult male athymic mice resulted in seminal vesicle morphogenesis in 70% of the recombinants (the remaining 30% failed to grow). Functional cytodifferentiation was judged by the expression of the major androgen-dependent secretory proteins characteristic of the seminal vesicles of adult rats and mice. Antibodies specific for each of these proteins were used to screen tissue sections by immunocytochemistry and to probe protein extracts by immunoblotting techniques. The heterospecific recombinants synthesized the full range of seminal vesicle secretory proteins that typifies the species providing the epithelium of the recombinant, not the mesenchyme. There was little functional variation between individual recombinants. The time course of development corresponded to that of intact neonatal seminal vesicles grown under the same conditions. Morphogenesis and functional cytodifferentiation were not evident after one week, but were well advanced after two weeks. Seminal vesicle recombinants grown for three weeks were indistinguishable morphologically and functionally from normal adult seminal vesicles. In addition, the ability of adult seminal vesicle epithelium to be induced to proliferate was examined. In association with neonatal seminal vesicle mesenchyme, the epithelium of the adult seminal vesicle proliferated and retained its normal functional activity. Thus, seminal vesicle functional cytodifferentiation can be faithfully reproduced in homotypic tissue recombinants. The methods used in this study will be used to investigate seminal vesicle development in instructive inductions of heterotypic epithelia.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Testosterone and 6-N,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate stimulate protein and lysosomal enzyme secretion in rat seminal vesicle.

Rat seminal-vesicle secretion was studied in vitro in a slice-incubation system. Seminal-vesicle slices were preincubated with 32Pi for 15 min, rinsed, and incubated in an isotope-free 'chase' medium for up to 4h. Gland slices spontaneously discharged protein, three lysosomal hydrolases and trichloroacetic acid-insoluble 32P into the medium in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. Testosterone (10 muM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) stimulated the discharge of protein, acid hydrolases and trichloroacetic acid-insoluble 32P, and also stimulated the incorporation of 32Pi into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble components. The acid phosphatase and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase isoenzymes were separated by isoelectric focusing. These hydrolases were secreted into the medium as acidic isoenzymes, presumably contained within primary lysosomes, whereas they occurred largely as less acidic and basic isoenzymes in the glandular tissue.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1976

Epididymis and seminal vesicle as sources of carnitine in human seminal fluid: the clinical significance of the carnitine concentration in human seminal fluid.

Carnitine determinations in human seminal fluid were shown to be useful in assessing epididymal and seminal vesicle function and in locating blockages in the male reproductive tract. The carnitine concentrations in 50 samples of seminal fluid ranged from 15 to 530 mug/ml (as carnitine-HCl). The patients could be divided into four classes. Patients with normal seminal vesicle and epididymal function had values of 250 mug/ml or above. Those with a defective epididymis and a functional seminal vesicle had intermediate carnitine levels (100 to 200 mug/ml) and normal fructose values in the seminal fluid. Patients with a defective seminal vesicle but a functional epididymis had intermediate carnitine concentrations and low fructose levels. Extremely low carnitine values (less than 100 mug/ml) were found in seminal fluid from patients whose epididymis and seminal vesicle both were defective. The possible role of carnitine in sperm maturation was discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Conservative management of a seminal vesicle abscess.

A pure seminal vesicle abscess is a rare condition. We report case 7 in the literature and to our knowledge the first patient who has been managed successfully by noninvasive, conservative antibiotic treatment alone. All previously reported cases of seminal vesicle abscesses have been managed with invasive therapy. In 5 cases the seminal vesicle abscess was incised and drained surgically, while in 1 the abscess was drained percutaneously. We describe a patient with a seminal vesicle abscess, review the literature and recommend a more conservative method of management.

Abscess↗
PubMed1990

Pathogenesis and biological significance of seminal vesicle invasion in prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Seminal vesicle invasion and the percentage involvement by cancer of each seminal vesicle were related to cancer volume, quantitative histological grade and presence or absence of lymph node metastases in 243 radical prostatectomy specimens. There were 47 prostates with seminal vesicle invasion. Frequency and extent of seminal vesicle invasion were strongly correlated with cancer volume, with minimal invasion noted in only 6% of the cases less than 4 cc. The relationship of seminal vesicle invasion to lymph node metastasis was statistically significant but cancer volume and histological grade were much stronger predictors of lymph node metastasis. The route of invasion from the prostate in 46 cases involved direct tumor spread into the midbase region near the ejaculatory ducts. Seminal vesicle invasion often may not be identified if the tissue nearest the ejaculatory ducts at the prostate base is not sampled.

Adenocarcinoma↗