Impact of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment on testicular morphology and sperm parameters in rats: insights into the adrenal control of male reproduction

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Genomic screening of testicular germ cell tumors from monozygotic twins

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

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction causes spermatogenic alterations in the contralateral testis

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) associated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection has allowed many men presenting non-obstructive azoospermia to achieve fatherhood. Microdissection TESE (microTESE) was proposed as a method to improve sperm retrieval rates in these patients; however, there have been failures. Little is known about whether microTESE leads to spermatogenic alterations in the contralateral testis. We assessed histological outcomes of experimental microTESE in the contralateral testis of adult male rabbits. Nine adult male rabbits were divided into three groups: control (testicular biopsy to observe normal histological and morphometric values), sham (incision of the tunica vaginalis, and a contralateral testicular biopsy to observe histological and morphometric patterns, 45 days later), and study (left testicular microTESE, and a right testicular biopsy to observe histological and morphometric patterns, 45 days later). Sections were assessed by calculating Johnsen-like scores, and measuring total tubule diameter, lumen diameter and epithelial height. The results were compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni's statistical analysis. Morphometric evaluation of the seminiferous tubules did not demonstrate differences between the three groups. However, microTESE caused spermatogenic alterations, leading to maturation arrest in the contralateral testis.

Avaliação da exposição ao propionato de testosterona em ratas fêmeas in utero e lactação

It is known that exposure to substances in the environment can contribute to various reproductive disorders, especially if such exposure occurs during critical periods of development such as the intra-uterine and postnatal. The female reproductive system may be the target of androgens, both as a result of exposure to environmental chemicals, or by pathological conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome or congenital adrenal hyperplasia).Usually, little attention is given off in relation to the study of androgenic effects in the female reproductive axis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure to androgens on the development, structure and reproductive function in rats whose mothers were exposed to testosterone propionate from gestational day 12 (DG12) after weaning - postnatal day 21 (DPN21) . For this purpose, pregnancy rats were divided into four groups: a control group that received corn oil (vehicle) and three groups receiving testosterone propionate in doses of 0.05 mg / kg / day, 0.1 mg / kg / day and 0.2 mg / kg / day, all under the same experimental conditions. The possible effects of exposure were assessed using reproductive parameters, such as a measure of anogenital distance, count areolas / nipples, age at vaginal opening and first estrus (puberty indicative installation), weight and histological evaluation of the reproductive organs ( uterus and ovaries), weight of the kidneys, liver and pituitary hormone levels, regularity of the estrous cycle, sexual behavior and fertility. Such analysis is important in understanding the effects of androgen exposure on the female genital system, especially on the reproductive potential, and processes that may involve morphofunctional changes. In these experimental conditions, it is concluded that treatment with PT caused reduction in body weight and initial masculinization in females without cubs, however, commit further sexual development

Evaluation of testicular tissue of adult rats treated with cisplatin incorporated into the liposome

Cisplatin (CPL) is one of the most widely used and effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of several human malignancies. However, it causes serious side effects, especially on reproduction. In order to reduce the undesirable effects caused by many drugs, liposomes have been used as a good system for drug delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of CPL incorporated into the dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposome (DPPC) on the testicular tissue of adult Wistar rats. The animals (n = 20) were distributed into four experimental groups: (a) control (distillated water); (b) liposome (DPPC, 1 mL), (c) cisplatin incorporated into liposome (CPL/DPPC), and (d) CPL (8 mg/kg body weight). The animals received a single intraperitoneal injection and were killed 10 days after each treatment for histopathological analysis of testes. The results showed that the testicular histomorphometric parameters in rats of DPPC and CPL/DPPC groups were similar to those of the control group. Meanwhile, rats of the CPL-treated group showed a variety of morphological alterations, including atrophy of seminiferous tubules and presence of multinucleated cells in the germinal epithelium. The incorporation of CPL into the liposome had no influence on the testicular weight or any other stereological parameters, but it was beneficial in maintaining the body weight of the animals. In conclusion, the liposome suppressed the cytotoxic effects caused by cisplatin in the testes of rats, suggesting a possible use in chemotherapy against cancer to reduce the side effects seen on reproduction.

Spermatic and testicular damages in rats exposed to ethanol: Influence of lipid peroxidation but not testosterone

Chronic consumption of ethanol causes morphological and physiological changes in the reproductive system of mammals. Vitamin C has an antioxidant role in organisms by neutralizing the ROS (reactive oxygen species) produced by oxidizing agents and this vitamin has an important function in the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether vitamin C could prevent or attenuate the alterations in the male reproductive system caused by ethanol consumption. To test this hypothesis, male rats were divided into three experimental groups and treated by gavage for 63 days. The ethanol (E) and ethanol +vitamin C (EC) groups received 2 g/kg of ethanol (25% v/v) daily. In addition to ethanol, the EC group received vitamin C at a dose of 100 mg/day, diluted in water. The control group (C) received only the vehicle. On the 64th experimental day, the animals were anesthetized and euthanized, and blood was collected for plasmatic hormonal analysis. The testis, epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles were removed and weighed. Sperm from the vas deferens was submitted to morphological and motility analysis. The testis and epididymis were used for oxidative stress and histopathological analysis, sperm count, morphometric analysis of the testis, and stereological analysis of the epididymis. The results showed that vitamin C has a protective effect in the testes of adult male rats, entirely normalizing the parameters of sperm count, spermatogenesis kinetics, lipid peroxidation levels, and sperm motility, as well as partially normalizing the histopathological damage in the testis, epididymis, and sperm morphology. Thus, we concluded that lipid peroxidation is a major mechanism by which ethanol affects the testes and sperm, whereas no plasmatic testosterone alterations were found.

Leaf and inflorescence axis anatomy of Brazilian species of Rapateoideae (Rapateaceae, Poales)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sex hormones change visceral pigmentation in Eupemphix nattereri (Anura): effects in testicular melanocytes and hepatic melanomacrophages

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

Impact of the processes of testicular regression and recrudescence in the prostatic complex of the bat myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

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

Impact of the processes of total testicular regression and recrudescence on the epididymal physiology of the bat myotis nigricans (chiroptera: vespertilionidae)

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

Colleters on the inflorescence axis of croton glandulosus (euphorbiaceae): structural and functional characterization

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

Role of the alfa1- and alfa2-adrenoceptors of the lateral hypothalamus in the dipsogenic response to central angiotensin II in rats

The present experiments were conducted to investigate the role of the α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) on the drinking response elicited by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injections of carbachol and angiotensin II (AII) in rats. Clonidine (an α2-adrenergic agonist) injected into the LH produced a dose-dependent reduction of the drinking responses elicited by i.c.v. administration of carbachol and AII. The α1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine injected into the LH reduced the dipsogenic response to i.c.v. AII, but not to carbachol. Injection of yohimbine (an α2-adrenergic antagonist) and prazosin (an α1-adrenergic antagonist) into the LH also reduced the water intake produced by i.c.v. injection of AII. Previous injection of α1- or α2-adrenergic antagonists into the LH increased the antidipsogenic effect of clonidine or phenylephrine injected into the same area on the water intake induced by i.c.v. AII. These results show that the α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the LH are involved in the control of drinking responses elicited by i.c.v. injection of AII in rats. They also show that clonidine, but not phenylephrine, suppresses the drinking induced by i.c.v. carbachol. The data suggest that the discharge of central α-adrenergic receptors has a dual (inhibitory and excitatory) effect on water intake induced by central AII. © 1991.

Role of the adrenergic pathways of the lateral hypothalamus on water intake and pressor response induced by the cholinergic activation of the medial septal area in rats

In the present experiments, we investigated a possible involvement of noradrenergic receptors of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) in the water intake and pressor response induced by cholinergic stimulation of the medial septal area (MSA) in rats. The cholinergic agonist carbachol (2 nmol) injected into the MSA induced water intake and pressor response. The injection of an α2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine (20 and 40 nmol), but not of an α1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (80 and 160 nmol), into the LH inhibits the water intake induced by carbachol injected into the MSA. The injection of clonidine or phenylephrine into the LH produced no change in the MAP increase induced by carbachol injected into the MSA. The present results suggest that adrenergic pathways involving the LH are important for the water intake, but not for the pressor response, induced by cholinergic activation of the MSA. © 1994.