Morphology of testis and epididymis in an ethanol-drinking rat strain (UChA and UChB)

The objective of the present study was to analyze the prospective alterations of the testis and epididymis in a defined strain of alcoholic rats in order to contribute to our understanding of the effects of chronic alcoholism on reproduction. The testis and epididymis of the animals were submitted to morphological analysis by macroscopy, light microscopy and electron microscopy and to morphometric analysis. The UCh rats showed atrophy of the epithelium and reduction of testis and epididymis weight, liver hypertrophy and fat infiltration and alterations of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Ethanol induces changes in the weight and in the epithelium of the testis and epididymis and in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis of the UCh rats.

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.

Cytogenetical and histological studies in testis of Tayassu tajacu (Cateto), Tayassu pecari (Queixada) and a natural interspecific hybrid

The karyotype, the histological structure of the testis and the synaptonemal complex (SC) of the mammalian species Tayassu tajacu, Tayassu pecari and of an interspecific male hybrid captured in nature were analysed. The specimens of T. tajacu (2n = 30) and T. pecan (2n = 26) exhibited seminiferous tubules with germ cells in all sperma to genesis stages. In the SC studies both species had a regular structure, easily identified in the autosomes and in the sex chromosomes. The hybrid (2n = 28) had seminiferous tubules with almost all germinal cells in the spermatogonium stage and only a few cells in the primary spermatocyte stage. Gross abnormalities in SC were observed. A few lateral elements showed regular or partially regular synapsis, other lateral elements were synapsed as multivalents, and most axial elements remained unsynapsed. The results suggest that the karyotypes of the parental species have sufficient differentiation to avoid chromosome synapsis. Alternatively, the hypothesis of the existence of genetic incompatibilities between the parental species is discussed.

Cysts reabsorption in the testis of the bee wax pest Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) during spermatogenesis

The present paper reports the occurrence of testicular cysts degeneration during spermatogenesis of Achroia grisella, a Lepidoptera with dimorphic spermatogenesis, through ultrastrucutural studies. Signs of cysts degeneration can be detected in the last larval instar but it increases during pupation and early adulthood. The degeneration affects the eupyrene, as well apyrene cysts but it is not always possible to recognize which cysts are degenerating. Some morphological features of cysts degeneration resemble apoptosis.

Identification and complete sequencing of novel human transcripts through the use of mouse orthologs and testis cDNA sequences

The correct identification of all human genes, and their derived transcripts, has not yet been achieved, and it remains one of the major aims of the worldwide genomics community. Computational programs suggest the existence of 30,000 to 40,000 human genes. However, definitive gene identification can only be achieved by experimental approaches. We used two distinct methodologies, one based on the alignment of mouse orthologous sequences to the human genome, and another based on the construction of a high-quality human testis cDNA library, in an attempt to identify new human transcripts within the human genome sequence. We generated 47 complete human transcript sequences, comprising 27 unannotated and 20 annotated sequences. Eight of these transcripts are variants of previously known genes. These transcripts were characterized according to size, number of exons, and chromosomal localization, and a search for protein domains was undertaken based on their putative open reading frames. In silico expression analysis suggests that some of these transcripts are expressed at low levels and in a restricted set of tissues.

Cyp17a1 and cyp19a1 in the zebrafish testis are differentially affected by oestradiol

Oestrogens can affect expression of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes in fish gonads. However, little information is available on their effects at the protein level. In this context, we first analysed the expression of key steroidogenic enzyme genes and proteins in zebrafish testis, paying attention also to other cell types than Leydig cells. Gene expression was analysed by quantitative PCR on fluorescence-activated cell-sorting fractions coupled or not to differential plating, while protein synthesis was studied by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against zebrafish Cyp17a1, Cyp19a1a and Cyp19a1b. Furthermore, we have evaluated the effect of oestrogen treatment (17β-oestradiol (E2), 10 nM) on the localization of these enzymes after 7 and 14 days of in vivo exposure in order to study how oestrogen-mediated modulation of their expression is linked to oestrogen effects on spermatogenesis. The major outcomes of this study are that Leydig cells express Cyp17a1 and Cyp19a1a, while testicular germ cells express Cyp17a1 and both, Cyp19a1a and Cyp19a1b. As regards Cyp17a1, both protein and mRNA seem to be quantitatively dominating in Leydig cells. Moreover, E2 exposure specifically affects only Leydig cell Cyp17a1 synthesis, preceding the disruption of spermatogenesis. The oestrogen-induced suppression of the androgen production capacity in Leydig cells is a major event in altering spermatogenesis, while germ cell steroidogenesis may have to be fuelled by precursors from Leydig cells. Further studies are needed to elucidate the functionality of steroidogenic enzymes in germ cells and their potential role in testicular physiology. © 2013 Society for Endocrinology.

Thyroid Hormone Stimulates the Proliferation of Sertoli Cells and Single Type A Spermatogonia in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Testis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Male Gonadal Differentiation and the Paedomorphic Evolution of the Testis in Teleostei

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

Maternal obesity disturbs the postnatal development of gonocytes in the rat without impairment of testis structure at prepubertal age

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

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.

Cadmium exposure inhibits MMP2 and MMP9 activities in the prostate and testis

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

Cytogenetics Analysis and Testis Morphology of Aquatic Species of the Families Belostomatidae, Gelastocoridae, Gerridae, Notonectidae, and Veliidae (Heteroptera)

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

Morphometric evaluation of the rat testis, epididymis and vas deferens following chemical sympathectomy with guanethidine

Selective chemical sympathectomy of the internal sex organs of adult male rats was undertaken by long term administration of low doses of guanethidine. The spermatogenic activity of the testis was unaffected by treatment. Examination of the vas deferens using morphometric methods revealed a marked increase in luminal area in contrast to a decrease in muscle layer area and in epithelial height. This is morphological evidence of sperm accumulation caused by a disorder in ductal contractile activity. No structural changes were observed in the epididymis. However, the concentration of spermatozoa in the sperm suspension stored in the cauda epididymidis was significantly increased in denervated rats. This result is discussed in terms of a sympathetic control of resorption mechanisms in the epididymis.

Testis morphology and dichotomic spermatogenesis in the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Presumed normal ultrasonographic findings of the testis and epididymis of Botos (Inia Geoffrensis)

Fifteen live adult male botos, or Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), were examined using ultrasonography during the yearly capture expedition, between October and November 2005, at the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, within the Brazilian Amazon (3 degrees S, 65 degrees W). All examinations were performed with a Sonosite 180 plus ultrasound unit in conjunction with a 2- to 5-MHz multifrequency transducer convex array 180 Plus/Elite-C60. Age and maturity estimates were determined considering the body length, weight, and external characteristics. In all examinations, the testes were discerned by the presence of a hyperechoic central line, called the mediastinum testis, a landmark for their identification during ultrasonography. No significant differences in echogenicity were detected on the ultrasonographic appearance of the testes among the studied animals. On adult male botos, apparent parenchymal nodulation of the testis was observed on scanning in most of the animals and probably constituted evidence of reproductive maturity. Using the color Doppler technique, blood flow was detected along the mediastinum testis that progressively decreased toward the periphery of this organ. Little blood flow could be identified by color Doppler. Power Doppler allowed better accuracy to identify testicular vessels, their topography, and their differentiation from adjacent structures. Ultrasonographic examination provides useful data for morphologic characterization of the boto's testes. Examination using Doppler techniques was considered a valuable tool to evidence blood flow through the testicular parenchyma.