Subcutaneous and testicular metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation

The pathological finding of testicular metastasis in cases of disseminated prostatic adenocarcinoma is rare, but was more frequently reported in the past, when bilateral castration was performed more often. The existence of skin and subcutaneous metastasis adds a worse prognosis, because generally it is sign of advanced disease with an average survival time of less than one year. The synchronous occurrence of such metastasis has not been described previously, neither their association to neuroendocrine differentiation. The presence of such differentiation of prostatic adenocarcinoma represents a very unfavorable prognostic factor, as suggested in recent literature. Herein, we discuss the case of a 53 year old man, who presented with macroscopic hematuria and frequency associated to several painless subcutaneous nodules in left axilla and shoulder, as well as in the lower abdominal wall. The right testis was painful, endured and on rectal examination, the prostate was diffusely enlarged. Serum PSA was elevated, reaching 1760 ng/ml and prostatic biopsy disclosed a Gleason 10 prostatic adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. The same pathological pattern was detected in the right testis and in all subcutaneous nodules, documented by positive staining of chromogranin, a marker of neuroendocrine cells. He was submitted to a prostate tunnelization and maximal androgen blockade plus adjuvant chemotherapy, nevertheless, he died 5 months latter.

Laparoscopic evaluation and treatment of the impalpable testis

Objectives: To evaluate the laparoscopic technique as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of patients with impalpable testis. Material and Methods: Fifty-nine patients with mean age of 6.3 years underwent laparoscopy to evaluate 85 impalpable testes that were classified as absent, canalicular and intra-abdominal. In the case of testicular absence, the procedure was terminated. In the case of canalicular testis, open inguinal exploration was performed. In intra-abdominal testis, either laparoscopic orchiopexy or orchiectomy was performed. According to the length of the vascular pedicle, orchipexy was performed either with or without vascular ligature. Post-operatively, the treated testes were evaluated according to size and location in the scrotum. Results: Seventeen (20%) of the 85 impalpable testes were diagnosed as absent, 21 (24.7%) as canalicular and 47 (55.3%) as intra-abdominal. Of the canalicular testes, 20 were explored by inguinotomy and one by laparoscopy. All the intra-abdominal testes were treated initially by laparoscopy, four being removed due to atrophy, 31 submitted to vascular ligature and 12 to primary orchipexy. Of those submitted to vascular ligature, 22 underwent a second stage orchipexy, of which 18 laparoscopically and 4 by inguinotomy. Of the 18 testes brought to the scrotum by staged laparoscopic orchipexy, 15 (83.3%) presented normal characteristics in the late follow-up, while of the 12 submitted to primary laparoscopic orchipexy, 8 (66.6%) were normal. There were no perioperative or late complications. Conclusions: Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure with low morbidity that enables precise diagnosis of the impalpable testes. When intra-abdominal testes are found, either immediate laparoscopic orchiectomy, or primary and staged orchipexy are possible, with results equivalent to open procedures, with the advantage of smaller surgical incisions and shorter postoperative recovery.

Bone scintigraphy in testicular tumors

Purpose: Testicular tumors do not occur frequently. Primary treatment is surgical, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy can play important roles in cases of metastatic disease. Bone scintigraphy is used largely for early detection of skeletal metastases from several tumors, and conventional radiographic studies are less sensitive than the nuclear technique for such a purpose. The aim of this study was to identify the role of bone scintigraphy in cases of testicular tumors, regardless of the grade. Materials and Methods: The authors examined 28 patients (8 to 52 years old) with proved testicular tumors using Tc-99m MDP (750 MBq; 20 mCi) injected intravenously. Whole-body images were obtained 2 hours later, at 500,000 counts per image. Radiographic studies were obtained to investigate abnormal areas noted on scintigraphy. Results: The results of bone scintigraphy were abnormal in seven cases, consisting of variable but diffuse uptake in the iliac bone on the same side as the affected testicle. MDP uptake was substantial in five of these patients (four seminomas, one nonseminoma; only two radiographic studies were abnormal), and the two other patients had moderate uptake of the radiopharmaceutical (two seminomas; radiographic studies were normal). Metastases were confirmed by biopsy in three cases. Discussion: Early metastases from seminomas can occur through the lymphatic drainage toward the iliac lymph node chain. This could explain these findings. The scintigraphic aspects of the affected iliac bones seem characteristic. Conclusions: Early detection of metastases is very important to ensure the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Bone scintigraphy may play an important role in such cases and seems to be more sensitive than conventional radiography. Testicular tumor metastases should be considered when iliac involvement is observed. Paget's disease should be included in a differential diagnosis.

Testicular ultrastructure and morphology of the seminal pathway in Prochilodus scrofa

The seminiferous tubules of Prochilodus scrofa present a coiled morphological arrangement with intertubular anastomoses and unrestricted spermatogonial distribution. The structural pattern of the seminiferous tubules is cystic, with cysts formed by cytoplasmic prolongations of Sertoli cells. Inside the cysts are observed different types of germ cells. The seminiferous tubules open individually on the ventral surface of the main testicular duct present in each testis. Each main testicular duct prolongs as a spermatic duct, fusing with the spermatic duct of the opposite side to form the common spermatic duct which opens into the urogenital papilla. The mature sperm cysts break and extravasate their content into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules from which the seminal fluid and the spermatozoa penetrate the main testicular duct, the spermatic duct and the common spermatic duct for semen ejaculation.

Testicular reabsorption in adult males of Melipona bicolor bicolor lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

The present paper reports morphological features of the testes reabsorption in adult male of Melipona bicolor bicolor. The ultrastructural features of the degenerating sperm cells and cyst cells are described. It is suggested that the material of the reabsorbed testes may serve as nutritional source for the adult male.

Testicular morphological changes during the seasonal reproductive cycle in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

Spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis undergo seasonal variations during the reproductive cycle in amphibians. Testicular morphological and morphometric seasonal variations as well as interstitial lipidic inclusions and intralobular glycoconjugates were evaluated during seasonal cycle of Rana catesbeiana. Testes of frogs collected during the annual seasons were weighed for calculation of GSI (Gonadosomatic index). Seminiferous lobule diameters (DSL) and volume densities of seminiferous lobules (VvSL), excretory ducts (VvED), and interstitial tissue (VvIT) were analyzed. Semithin sections were submitted to Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian Blue (AB) methods for detection of glycoconjugates, while lipidic inclusions were detected by Sudan Black B. GSI showed no significant variations during the year. Since VvED and VvIT increased significantly during summer and were inversely proportional to VvSL, a compensatory effect between the testicular compartments may be related to the maintenance of GSI. During autumn/winter, larger lobular diameters were observed in comparison to spring/summer when spermiogenesis and spermiation were commonly observed. The increased VvIT and the numerous lipidic inclusions in the interstitial cells during summer suggest a relationship between spermiogenesis and steroidogenesis. Besides the structural stability variations occurring in the IT and SL, a possible paracrine interaction between ED and IT should be also involved in the IT development during summer. The presence of PAS and AB-positive globular structures were observed in the seminiferous lobules and excretory ducts. These structures containing acid glycoconjugates appear to be Sertoli cell apical portions, which are accumulated in the lumen of the seminiferous lobules mainly during spermiation. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Single testicular metastasis mimicking primary testicular neoplasm: A rare manifestation of prostate cancer

The incidence of secondary testicular tumors ranges from 0.02 to 2.5% among autopsies in general. With the exception of leukemias and lymphomas, prostate cancer is the most common primary site. It is diagnosed in autopsies or incidentally, following therapeutic orchiectomies in more advanced stages of the disease. In the present report, we show a case of testicular metastasis derived from prostate neoplasm whose clinical presentation as a single metastasis was similar to a primary testicular neoplasm. The diagnosis was evidenced after orchiectomy by histological examination and immunohistochemical tests.

Cytogenetical aspects of testicular cells in economically important species of coreidae family (Heteroptera)

Some cytogenetical aspects of spermatozoa formation were studied in 9 Coreidae Brazilian species: Anasa bellator, Athaumastus haematicus, Chariesterus armatus, Dallacoris obscura, Dallacoris pictus, Leptoglossus gonagra, Leptoglossus zonatus, Sphictyrtus fasciatus, and Zicca annulata. Similarly to the other species described to date, all the species studied herein showed cystic spermatogenesis, a reddish membrane covering the testes, a X0 sex determining system, a pair of m-chromosomes, intersticial chiasmata in most autosomes, and autosomes dividing reductionally at first meiotic division and equationally in the second 1 while sex chromosomes, divide equationally and reductionally at first and second meiotic division, respectively. In addition, it was observed that the sex chromosome is heteropycnotic at prophase and that heteropycnotic chromosomal material is found in the nuclei at spermiogenesis. In the species studied, the diploid chromosome number ranged from 19 to 25. It was 19 in S. fasciatus (16A+2m+X0); 21 in A. bellator, A. haematicus, D. obscura, D. pictus, L. gonagra, and L. zonatus (18A+2m+X0); 23 in Z. annulata (20A+2m+X0); and 25 in C. armatus (22A+2m+X0). © 2007 The Japan Mendel Society.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in skeletal muscle atrophy

Apoptosis is necessary for maintaining the integrity of proliferative tissues, such as epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal and integumentary systems. The role of apoptosis in post-mitotic tissues, such as skeletal muscle, is less well defined, but several lines of evidence suggest that it occurs in both myofiber and other interstitial muscle cell types. Apoptosis of myonuclei likely contributes to the loss of muscle mass, but the mechanisms underlying this process are largely unknown. Caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent pathways have been implicated, and the mode by which atrophy is induced likely determines the apoptotic mechanisms that are utilized. It remains to be determined whether a decrease in apoptosis will alleviate atrophy and distinct research strategies may be required to clarify the different causes of skeletal muscle mass loss. In this review, it was also speculated that apoptosis is a normal regulatory process that the myofiber can use to reduce the number of nuclear domains, thus ensuring optimal cell functions according to the mechanical load imposed on the muscle. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Pattern of silver nitrate-staining during meiosis and spermiogenesis in testicular lobes of Antiteuchus tripterus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The pattern of silver nitrate (Ag)-staining differed among testicular lobes of Antiteuchus tripterus. In general, these differences are in regard to the number, size, shape, coloring intensity, and location of the stained bodies or masses, observed during meiosis and spermiogenesis. These characteristics were similar in lobes 1-3. Lobes 4-6, however, differed from each other and from lobes 1-3 as well. Because the Ag-staining method is specific for nucleolar organizing regions and nucleolar material, the observations in meiosis of lobes 1-3 suggested the presence of a single pair of nucleolar organizing region-bearing chromosomes in A. tripterus, as previously found in other Pentatomidae species. In general, the amount of Ag-stained material seen in meiosis of the testicular lobes 1-3 of A. tripterus is smaller than in the other lobes. The differences among lobes observed during spermiogenesis included a striking variation in morphology of the Ag-stained material found in the head and tail of the spermatids. Given that the key role of the nucleolar material is to participate in protein synthesis, interlobular variations seem to be related to the different functions attributed to each lobe (reproduction to lobes 1-3 and basically nutrition to lobes 4-6). To our knowledge, this is the first time that the nucleolar material was studied in each testicular lobe during spermatogenesis. The present observations encourage further studies since, in addition to being of basic biological interest, several Pentatomidae species are agricultural pests and added knowledge of their biology, mainly in reproduction, may be important for the development of control strategies. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Comparative study of spermatogenesis and nucleolar behavior in testicular lobes of Euschistus heros (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

In some testicular lobes of the Pentatomidae there may be occurrence of atypical spermatogenesis or polymegaly, leading to the production of nonfertile sperm. The comparative analysis of spermatogenesis and nucleolar behavior in testicular lobes of Euschistus heros showed cells with polymegaly in lobes 4 and 6. Generally, when these lobes are present in the same individual, there is also the formation of atypical cells in the flanking lobe. Such characteristic was not seen in E. heros. However, differences regarding the concentration of heteropyknotic chromatin and silver-positive bodies in this lobe deserve attention. This study explored the literature and demonstrated the prevalence of some lobes in the formation of differentiated cells. It was also found in the literature that there is an association of the chromocenter with the nucleolus in several species of Pentatomidae, but in E. heros this association does not appear to occur. © 2010 Hederson Vinicius de Souza and Mary Massumi Itoyama.

Possible mechanism by which zinc protects the testicular function of rats exposed to cigarette smoke

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in testicular function of rats due to cigarette smoke exposure and the possible mechanism by which zinc protects against these alterations. Methods: MaleWistar rats (60 days old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (G1, n = 10); exposed to cigarette smoke (G2, n = 10; 20 cigarettes/day/9 weeks) and exposed to cigarette smoke and supplemented with zinc (G3, n = 8; 20 cigarettes/day/9 weeks; 20 mg/kg zinc chloride daily for 9 weeks, by gavage). After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized, and materials were collected for analyses. Results: G2 rats showed a reduction in body mass; impaired sperm concentration, motility, morphology and vitality; and increased malonaldehyde and thiol group levels and superoxide dismutase activity as compared to G1. Zinc prevented the reduction of sperm concentration and the excessive increase of lipid peroxidation and induced an increase in plasma testosterone levels, wet weight of testis and thiol group concentration. Conclusions: Exposure to cigarette smoke led to harmful effects on testicular function at least partially due to the exacerbation of oxidative stress. Supplementary zinc had an important modulator/protector effect on certain parameters. The mechanism of zinc protection can be through an increase of SH concentration. Thus, zinc supplementation may be a promising addition to conventional treatments for male infertility related to smoking. Copyright © 2012 by Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.

Intrascrotal testicular torsion and seminoma in a dog with chronic renal failure

A 10-year-old mongrel dog was presented with signs of vomiting, prostration, anorexia, abdominal pain, dyspnea, dysuria, and enhanced scrotal volume. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations showed intrascrotal testicular pathology and chronic renal failure. Emergency treatment was carried out; however, the patient died. Necropsy diagnosed an intrascrotal testicular torsion and seminoma. The aim of the present report is to describe an intrascrotal testicular torsion associated with chronic renal failure in a dog. © Tübïtak.