A histological study of the seminal vesicle of the armoured catfish Corydoras aeneus

Most species of Corydoras exhibited a reproductive behaviour called 'T-position', and exhibited an accessory gland in the male genital tract, called the seminal vesicle. It appeared that both the structure and the composition of the fluid varied considerably between the species investigated. Consequently, different opinions were proposed regarding the possible role of seminal vesicle on this particular reproductive behaviour. Male adults of Corydoras aeneus were collected, anaesthetized, and samples of seminal vesicle were fixed in Bouin's solution. The sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid Schiff. The seminal vesicle showed a system of anastomosed secretory tubules, forming a vesicular collective network, which gave rise to the vesicular ducts. The latter fused with the testicular efferent ducts and formed the spermatic ducts. Considering this fusion, when the sperm cells reached the spermatic ducts, the fluid produced at the seminal vesicle covered them. Histochemical studies evidenced the presence of neutral and acid glycosaminoglycans in the seminal fluid. Considering the reproductive behaviour of C. aeneus, it is believed that the protection associated with the immobilization of the sperm cells assures the sperm integrity during the passage through female's intestine until fertilization.

Evaluation of the ethanol intake on the Calomys callosus seminal vesicle structure

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morfoanatomia e ontogênese do fruto e semente de Vernonia platensis (Spreng.) Less. (Asteraceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cholinergic responses of seminal vesicles isolated from rats exposed perinatally to hydrocortisone

This study was performed in order to investigate the cholinomimetic response of seminal vesicles isolated from rats treated with hydrocortisone acetate during perinatal life. At the adult phase, the body weight and the wet weight of the seminal vesicle of these animals were unchanged. However, these male rats exhibited a significant reduction in plasma testosterone concentration. A significant increase in the sensitivity of the seminal vesicle to acetylcholine was also observed. Despite this, there was a significant reduction in the maximum contractile response of the organ to this transmitter. These results indicate that exposure to hydrocortisone during the critical period of brain sexual differentiation has a long-term effect on testosterone production of male rats. In addition, physiological levels of cortisone in perinatal life are also essential to support the contractile response pattern of the seminal vesicle to acetylcholine in adult life, probably crucial to the reproductive process. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Puberty installation and adrenergic response of seminal vesicle from rats exposed prenatally to hydrocortisone

We investigated the effects of hydrocortisone during the prenatal period and its repercussion on puberty installation and adrenergic response of seminal vesicle in adult rats. The efficacy of the hydrocortisone treatment in reducing adrenal wet weight immediately after delivery in both the treated mothers and respective pups at birth may indicate impairment of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This parameter was unchanged in the adult phase of these descendants, suggesting recuperation of this axis. In addition, the treatment with hydrocortisone delayed the age of puberty installation, probably by absence of both physiologic production and liberation of luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Despite the significant reduction in testosterone level as well as of wet weights of both vas deferens and testis in the adult phase, no difference was observed in the sensitivity of the seminal vesicle to the studied sympathetic agonist. However, the observed reduction in contractile response of the seminal vesicle may be a consequence of contractile-system damage in this organ. It is possible that this alteration may cause a reduction in the amount of vesicular secretion so important in the process of ejaculation. In conclusion, these results suggest that administration of hydrocortisone in late prenatal life did not influence the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in adult life, although it altered the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, and reduced testosterone production starting at puberty, as a consequence of an incomplete masculinization of the hypothalamus plus a reduction in the contractile response of the seminal vesicle. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the Effects of a1-Adrenoceptor Antagonism and L-Type Calcium Channel Blockade on Ejaculation and Vas Deferens and Seminal Vesicle Contractility In Vitro

Introduction. Premature ejaculation is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions. Current pharmacological treatments involve reduction in penile sensitivity by local anesthetics or increase of ejaculatory threshold by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. a1-Adrenoceptors (a1-ARs) and L-type calcium channels are expressed in the smooth muscles of the male reproductive tract, and their activations play an important role in the physiological events involved in the seminal emission phase of ejaculation.Aim. To evaluate if the inhibition of the contractility of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle by alpha(1)-AR antagonism or the L-type calcium channel blockade can delay ejaculation.Methods. The effects of the alpha(1)-AR antagonist tamsulosin and of the L-type calcium channel blockers, nifedipine and (S)-(+)-niguldipine, on contractions induced by norepinephrine in the rat vas deferens and seminal vesicles in vitro and on the ejaculation latency of male rats in behavioral mating tests were evaluated.Main Outcome Measure. Tension development of vas deferens and seminal vesicles in response to norepinephrine in vitro and behavioral mating parameters were quantified.Results. Tension development of vas deferens and seminal vesicle to alpha(1)-AR activation was significantly inhibited by tamsulosin, nifedipine, and (S)-(+)-niguldipine. Tamsulosin displayed insurmountable antagonism of contractions induced by norepinephrine in the rat vas deferens and seminal vesicle. Ejaculation latency of male rats was not modified by tamsulosin, nifedipine, or (S)-(+)-niguldipine; however, both the number and weight of the seminal plugs recovered from female rats mated with male rats treated with tamsulosin were significantly reduced.Conclusion. Seminal emission impairment by inhibition of vas deferens or seminal vesicle contractility by L-type calcium channel blockade or alpha(1)-AR antagonism is not able to delay the ejaculation. de Almeida Kiguti LR and Pupo AS. Investigation of the effects of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonism and L-type calcium channel blockade on ejaculation and vas deferens and seminal vesicle contractility in vitro. J Sex Med 2012; 9: 159-168.

Multiple effects of sibutramine on ejaculation and on vas deferens and seminal vesicle contractility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Differential proliferative response of the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle to testosterone replacement

We have investigated epithelial cell proliferation and the rate of glandular recovery of the ventral prostate (VP) and seminal vesicle (SV) promoted by testosterone replacement (TR) in castration-induced regressed glands. Adult male Wistar rats were castrated and, after 21 days, they were treated with testosterone propionate (4 mg/kg/day). Intact (CT) and castrated rats without TR (CS) were also analysed. VP and SV were processed for histochemistry, morphometric-stereological analysis and immunocytochemistry to determine the PCNA index (PI). After 10 days of TR, the VP weight reached similar to 72% of the CT values, while the SV weight exceeded similar to 17% of the CT values. By the third day of TR, VP and SV presented a mean P1 of 34% and 94% for distal region and 14% and 22% for proximal region, respectively. SV also had more luminal cells PCNA-positive than VP, mainly in the distal region. The PI values fell on days 5, 7 and 10, but were still higher than CT. These findings indicate that epithelial cells from involuted SV are more responsive to TR than those from VP when Stimulated to proliferate and replace the luminal cell population, suggesting a different mechanism regulating cell proliferation in response to androgenic stimuli. (c) 2006 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative morphology of the seminal receptacles of Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) (Brachyura, Ocypodoidea)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Heparin-binding proteins of seminal plasma in Nellore bulls

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar proteínas ligadoras à heparina no plasma seminal de touros Nelore (Bos taurus indicus). Para tanto, foram selecionados quatro touros entre 30 e 36 meses de idade e peso aproximado de 500-550kg. Após centrifugação, amostras do plasma seminal foram misturadas e as proteínas ligadoras à heparina foram isoladas por meio da cromatografia por afinidade. As frações após a eluição foram agrupadas para caracterização das bandas protéicas (SDSPAGE, 12,5%). Foram identificadas oito bandas protéicas variando entre 15 e 63kDa. Duas proteínas com 22 e 25kDa foram similares às descritas em touros Bos taurus taurus. Outras proteínas identificadas com 39, 53, 58 e 63kDa ainda não foram descritas e possivelmente sejam específicas para Bos taurus indicus.

SPERMATOGENESIS, SPERMATOPHORE, and SEMINAL FLUID PRODUCTION IN THE ADULT BLUE CRAB CALLINESTES DANAE (PORTUNIDAE)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)