Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Zinc Gluconate Associated with Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Sexually Mature Canine Males Chemical Neutering

Contents The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs` libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37 150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.

A comparison of post-thaw results between embryos arising from intracytoplasmic sperm injection using surgically retrieved or ejaculated spermatozoa

Objective: To study the effect of freeze-thaw on embryos derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using surgically retrieved and ejaculated spermatozoa. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Private IVF center. Patient(s): Three hundred eighty-three patients undergoing frozen-thawed ET cycles. Intervention(s): Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) or percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) were the sperm surgical retrieval methods used for ICSI. Embryos resulting from ICSI using Surgically retrieved and ejaculated spermatozoa were frozen, thawed, and transferred. Main Outcome Measure(s): Post-thaw survival, implantation, and pregnancy rates. Result(s): No differences were found between the ejaculated sperm and TESA/PESA groups in terms of post-thaw survival rate (68.4% vs. 66.1%, respectively), pregnancy rate (20.1% vs. 16.1%), and implantation rate (10.6% vs. 12.7%). Similar results were found for those variables when comparing TESA and PESA groups. Conclusion(s): Cleavage embryos arising from ICSI cycles using testicular and epididymal spermatozoa can be frozen with survival, pregnancy,and implantation rates comparable to those obtained with ejaculated spermatozoa. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;91:727-32. (C) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Long-term effects of developmental exposure to di-n-butyl-phthalate (DBP) on rat prostate: Proliferative and inflammatory disorders and a possible role of androgens

In the present study we evaluated the toxic effects on the male adult rat prostate of DBP exposure during fetal and lactational periods, because although many studies have addressed the influence of phthalates on the male reproductive system, only a few have discussed their possible effects on prostate development. Pregnant females were distributed into two experimental groups: Control (C) and Treated (T). The females of the T group received DBP (100 mg/kg, by gavage) from gestation day 12 to postnatal day 21, while C rats received the vehicle (corn oil). In adulthood (90 days old), the animals were euthanized. The serum and testicular testosterone levels were measured. Ventral prostate was removed and weighed. Distal segment fragments of the ventral prostate were fixed and processed for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry to detect androgen receptor (AR) and Ki67 antigens. Protein extraction from ventral prostate fragments was performed for AR immunoblotting and Gelatin zymography for MMP-2 and MMP-9 (MMP, metalloproteinase). Stereological and histopathological analyses were also performed. Serum and testicular testosterone levels and prostate weight were comparable between groups. In the T group the relative proportions (%) of epithelial (C=32.86; T=42.04*) and stromal (C=21.61; T=27.88*) compartments were increased, while the luminal compartment was decreased (C=45.54; T=30.08*), *p < 0.05. In T, disseminated inflammatory infiltrate in the stroma, associated or not with epithelial dysplasia and PIN (Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia), was observed. Increases in AR expression, proliferation index and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity were noted in T animals. In some T animals, collagen fibrils accumulated adjacent to the epithelium. As far as we are aware, this is the first report in the literature showing that phthalates could play a role in proliferative and inflammatory disorders of the rat prostate. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tormopsolus attenuatus n. sp (Digenea : Acanthocolpidae) from Seriola hippos (Perciformes : Carangidae), Western Australia, with some observations on the relationships in the genus

A new acanthocolpid, Tormopsolus attenuatus n. sp., is described from the carangid Seriola hippos from waters off the coast of SW Australia. A cladistic analysis of the genus using 31 morphological and metrical characters indicates that the closest species is T. asiatica Parukhin, 1976 status amend. (previously T. orientalis asiatica). T. attenuatus differs from T. asiatica in its smaller overall dimensions, more attenuated outline, relatively shorter post-testicular region, vitelline interruption at the level of the ovary, papillae on the oral sucker and, possibly, much longer genital atrium. Other similar species, T. orientalis Yamaguti, 1934 and T. medius Reimer, 1983, differ in having interruptions of the vitelline fields at the level of both testes and at the level of the ovary.

Recent advances in the pathology of alcoholic myopathy

This article represents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2000 ISBRA Meeting in Yokohama, Japan. The chairs were Victor R. Preedy and Junko Adachi. The presentations were (1) Alcoholic myopathy: Past, present and future, by Timothy J. Peters and Victor R. Preedy; (2) Protein adducts in the type I and II fiber-predominant muscles of the ethanol-fed rat, by Simon Worrall, Seppo Parkkila, and Onni Niemela; (3) Hydroperoxides and changes in alcoholic myopathy, by Junko Adachi, Migiwa Asamo, and Yasuhino Ueno; and (4) A close association between testicular atrophy, muscle atrophy, and the increase in protein catabolism after chronic ethanol administration, by Kunihiko Takeda, Masayoshi Yamauchi, Kazuhiko Sakamoto, Masaru Takagi, Hisato Nakajima, and Gotaro Toda.

An orthotopic xenograft model of human nonseminomatous germ cell tumour

We have established the first example of an orthotopic xenograft model of human nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT). This reproducible model exhibits many clinically relevant features including metastases to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and lungs, making it an ideal tool for research into the development and progression of testicular germ cell tumours.

Chronic hypoxia induced down-regulation of angiotensinogen expression in rat epididymis

The presence of an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the rat epididymis has been previously established by showing the expression of several key RAS components, and in particular angiotensinogen, the indispensable element for the intracellular generation of angiotensin II. In this study, the possible involvement of this local epididymal RAS in the testicular effects of chronic hypoxia was investigated. Semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and by in situ hybridization histochemistry of the rat epididymis were used to show changes in localization and expression of angiotensinogen. Results from RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that chronic hypoxia caused a marked decrease (60%) in the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA, when compared with that in the normoxic epididymis. Western blot analysis demonstrated a less decrease (35%) in the expression of angiotensinogen protein. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that the reduced angiotensinogen mRNA in chronic hypoxia was specifically localized to the epididymal epithelium from the cauda, corpus and caput regions of the epididymis; a distribution similar to that of normoxic rats. It was concluded that chronic hypoxia decreases the transcriptional and translational expression of angiotensinogen, and thus local formation of angiotensin II, in the rat epididymis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatially dynamic expression of Sry in mouse genital ridges

We have studied the spatial dynamics of Sry transcription in the genital ridges of mouse embryos. We find that Sry is expressed in a dynamic wave that emanates from the central and/or anterior regions, extends subsequently to both poles, and ends in the caudal pole. This dynamism may explain the relative positioning of ovarian and testicular tissue seen in ovotestes in mice. Since direct regulatory targets of SRY ought to be expressed in a corresponding or complimentary wave, our observations pave the way for identification of target genes. Sry is expressed in internal cells but not in coelomic surface epithelial cells, indicating that its effect on proliferation of surface cells is achieved non-cell-autonomously. The cellular dynamism of Sry expression revealed in this study thus provides important insights into both the cellular and molecular mode of action of SRY, and how perturbations in Sry expression can lead to anomalies of sexual development. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Morphometry of testis and seminiferous tubules of the adult crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous, Linnaeus, 1766)

Body and testicular biometric parameters are very important for establishing reproductive patterns and, consequently, the development of protocols for assisted reproduction in different species. A direct correlation between the testis weight and the sperm population was observed in other studied species, because the testis size primarily reflects the total volume of the seminiferous tubule, its main component. The objective of this study was to determine the testicular volume parameters and correlate data from morphometry of testis and seminiferous tubules with body mass in six adult crab-eating foxes. The mean body weight of the crab-eating foxes in this study was 6.53 kg, with approximately 0.068% allocated to the testicular mass and 0.042% specifically to seminiferous tubules, which represented 87.5% of the testicular parenchyma. The albuginea comprised 12.5% of the testicular mass. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubules was 236 µm, and the mean thickness of the seminiferous epithelium was 62.9 µm. Values of tubular parameters indicate a sperm productivity close to those observed in previously studied carnivores.

Enzymatic and hemolytic activities of Candida dubliniensis strains

Candida dubliniensis is an opportunistic yeast that has been recovered from several body sites in many populations; it is most often recovered from the oral cavities of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Although extensive studies on epidemiology and phylogeny of C. dubliniensis have been performed, little is known about virulence factors such as exoenzymatic and hemolytic activities. In this study we compared proteinase, hyaluronidase, chondroitin sulphatase and hemolytic activities in 18 C. dubliniensis and 30 C. albicans strains isolated from AIDS patients. C. albicans isolates produced higher amounts of proteinase than C. dubliniensis (p < 0.05). All the tested C. dubliniensis strains expressed hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulphatase activities, but none of them were significantly different from those observed with C. albicans (p > 0.05). Hemolytic activity was affected by CaCl2; when this component was absent, we did not notice any significant difference between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis hemolytic activities. On the contrary, when we added 2.5 g% CaCl2, the hemolytic activity was reduced on C. dubliniensis and stimulated on C. albicans tested strains (p < 0.05).

Seminoma Espermatocítico: Caso Clínico e Revisão

Introdução: O seminoma espermatocítico é um diagnóstico incomum de tumores do testículo, frequentemente exuberantes na sua dimensão, mas com bom prognóstico. Apesar da designação errónea, trata-se de tumores de células germinativas do tipo não-seminoma. Caso Clínico: Descreve-se o caso clínico de um homem de 49 anos de idade, com exuberante aumento de volume escrotal de agravamento recente, à custa de massa indolor do testículo direito. Foi feita ecografia escrotal que mostrou hidrocelo e imagem sugestiva de massa atípica do epidídimo direito. TC torácica, abdominal e pélvica não mostrou adenomegalias retroperitoneais ou outra alteração; os valores de LDH, αFP e βHCG eram normais. Foi feita orquidectomia por via escrotal à direita, com excisão de uma ampla área do escroto. Identificou-se na peça operatória, com 1375g, seminoma espermatocítico com invasão vascular da túnica albugínea (pT2). O doente iniciou quimioterapia com BEP (dois ciclos). Discussão: O seminoma espermatocítico é raro, com cerca de 2% de incidência, o diagnóstico faz-se habitualmente na 6ª década de vida, e tem localização exclusivamente testicular. A orquidectomia é frequentemente curativa. Apesar de estarem descritos tumores de maior volume do que o seminoma clássico, destaca-se neste caso a exuberância clínica incomum pela dimensão do testículo, bem como do hidrocelo que o acompanhava.

Síndrome de Klinefelter no Adulto: um Caso e Revisão Breve

Introdução: O diagnóstico de Síndrome de Klinefelter é habitualmente tardio (na idade adulta), devido à paucidade de sintomas e amplo espectro clínico e fenotípico, e é frequentemente feito na sequência do estudo de causas de infertilidade. Volume testicular reduzido e azoospermia são as características clínicas mais prevalentes. Caso Clínico: Este artigo descreve o caso clínico de um homem de 40 anos de idade, saudável, que recorreu à consulta de Urologia por testículo esquerdo retráctil e doloroso. Na sequência da avaliação destas queixas foi feita uma ecografia escrotal que mostrou heterogeneidade e atrofia testicular, bem como imagem nodular do testículo direito. Analiticamente, tinha marcadores tumorais normais e o estudo hormonal mostrou diminuição do valor de testosterona e aumento de FSH e LH. Para além disso, o espermograma revelou azoospermia. Foi feita orquidopexia à esquerda e biopsia testicular que mostrou hipertrofia das células de Leydig, sem atipias. O cariótipo feito posteriormente mostrou presença de um cromossoma X supra-numerário em todas as células, compatível com diagnóstico de Síndrome de Klinefelter. Discussão e Conclusão: O estudo da infertilidade é frequentemente aquilo que conduz ao diagnóstico desta síndrome, caracterizada por diminuição das dimensões dos testículos, azoospermia, diminuição do valor sérico de testosterona e alteração do desenvolvimento sexual secundário. É importante o acompanhamento dos doentes para despiste de outras patologias que lhe estão associadas (neoplasia do testículo e da mama, osteoporose), tratamento com suplementação androgénica, quando indicado, e tratamento da infertilidade. Apesar da obtenção de resultados animadores em doentes com espermatozóides identificados na biópsia testicular, por extracção(TESE, testicular sperm extraction) e injecção intracitoplasmática de espermatozóides (ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection), estes restringem-se apenas a alguns centros com experiência.

O Varicocelo em Idade Pediátrica

Nos últimos anos o tratamento do varicocelo em idade pediátrica ganhou particular importância devido a evidencia clínica e experimental de atrofia testicular e alterações histo1ógicas em cerca de 50% dos testículos homolaterais e com frequência no contralateral. Estas alterações são progressivas e sobreponíveis às encontradas no adulto inférti1 com varicocelo. Os autores procederam ao estudo retrospectivo de 41 crianças e adolescentes com varicocelo que recorreram a Consulta de Cirurgia Pediátrica do Hospital de Dona Estefânia entre 1 de Janeiro de 1990 e 31 de Dezembro de 1994.O motivo de consulta foi, em quase todos os casos, a existência de uma massa escrotal. As idades estavam compreendidas entre os cinco e os 15 anos, com média etaria de 11,9 anos. O varicocelo localizava-se à esquerda em 39 doentes,à direita em um doente e apenas um caso era bilateral. Todos os casos eram varicocelos primários, sendo mais frequentemente o de grau II (57%). Foram feitas 40 varicocelectomias, 31 das quais (77%) pela técnica de Ivanisevíc. Quatro varicocelos recidivaram ( 10%). Os autores comentam os resultados e tecem algumas considerações sobre a atitude cirúrgica perante um varicocelo diagnosticado em idade pediátrica.

Tentativa de orquidectomia parcial: a propósito de um caso clínico

Introduc¸ão: Até ao fim dos anos 80 defendia-se que qualquer nódulo testicular suspeito devia ser excisado com orquidectomia radical. No entanto, com o aumento do diagnóstico incidental de massas testiculares, a maior acuidade dos exames extemporâneos e a evidência das vantagens potenciais da orquidectomia parcial, questionou-se se seria necessário sacrificar, sempre, todo o testículo, mesmo na presenc¸a de um testículo contralateral normal. Caso clínico: Apresentamos o caso de um doente de 23 anos, com o diagnóstico de um nódulo testicular com 7,5 mm, não palpável, assintomático e marcadores tumorais negativos. Foi submetido a orquidectomia parcial guiada por ecografia e exame extemporâneo, no entanto, por suspeita anatomopatológica de provável tumor de células germinativas, optou-se pela totalizac¸ão da orquidectomia. O resultado histológico final foi de tumor de células de Leydig. Tendo em conta a elevada probabilidade de lesões testiculares não palpáveis e de pequenas dimensões serem benignas (até 80%), os efeitos da orquidectomia radical na espermatogénese, func¸ão endócrina e estética e que não devem ser ignorados, a orquidectomia parcial é um procedimento que, embora não seja um procedimento padrão, pode ser equacionado como primeira abordagem em casos selecionados e em centros de referência especializados.

Non-clinical isolates bring new findings on enterococcal virulence

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biology