精子发生阻滞不育患者睾丸雄激素受体和热休克蛋白90α的表达

目的 :探讨精子发生阻滞与雄激素受体 (AR)和热休克蛋白 90α(HSP90α)表达的关系。　方法 :应用免疫组化二步法 ,检查 5 7例精子发生阻滞引起的不育患者睾丸活检标本AR和HSP90α的表达 ,并以 15例正常健康人睾丸组织作为对照。　结果 :在正常健康人睾丸组织中 ,AR在精原细胞、精母细胞、圆形精子细胞、支持细胞、间质细胞和肌样细胞的胞核均有表达 ,但各类细胞表达AR的强度有差异。在精子发生阻滞的睾丸组织中 ,AR高表达主要在阻滞细胞水平的胞质 ,即在核周形成一环行特异性免疫反应阳性产物带。HSP90α在正常睾丸组织精原细胞、精母细胞、支持细胞、间质细胞和肌样细胞的胞质表达 ;在精子发生阻滞的睾丸组织中 ,HSP90α为高表达 ,正常睾丸组织和精子发生阻滞的睾丸组织 ,其表达强度存在显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。　结论 :AR表达部位异常可能无法介导雄激素进入核内 ,而不能实现对基因转录或翻译的调节 ,致使生精细胞难以进入细胞周期而呈现阻滞。HSP90α的高表达可能加剧AR稳定性降低 ,进而增强了AR的遍在化反应。     

Daxx基因在小鼠睾丸精子发生过程中的表达特征

目的:研究死亡结构域相关蛋白(Daxx)基因在小鼠睾丸精子发生过程中的表达特征,初步探讨其在生精过程中的作用。方法:通过实时荧光定量PCR(q PCR)、Western印迹及免疫荧光等方法检测Daxx在不同周龄野生型小鼠睾丸组织以及成年睾丸支持细胞雄激素受体特异性敲除(SCARKO)和雄激素受体敲除(ARKO)小鼠睾丸中的表达特征。结果:q PCR、Western印迹和免疫荧光结果表明,Daxx基因在出生4周后小鼠睾丸中高表达,且主要定位于细胞核;与野生型小鼠相比,SCARKO小鼠睾丸中DAXX的表达差异不显著(0.853±0.058 vs1.000±0.015),但在生精细胞细胞核中呈极性分布;DAXX在ARKO小鼠睾丸表达显著降低(0.299±0.026 vs1.000±0.015,P0.01)。结论 :Daxx基因在小鼠睾丸发育中期时表达最高。ARKO小鼠中DAXX的表达与野生型相比显著降低,睾丸支持细胞中AR基因特异性敲除影响DAXX定位。DAXX可能参与调控小鼠的精子发生过程。     

α-肾上腺素受体在精索静脉曲张患者睾丸中的表达及意义

目的:通过测定α-肾上腺素受体在精索静脉曲张患者睾丸中的表达变化,探讨其在精索静脉曲张中致男性不育的病理生理机制。方法:对精索静脉曲张而少精症患者110例(通过睾丸活检未发现睾丸病变)行睾丸活检,其样本作为试验组;无精索静脉曲张患者以及睾丸破裂行睾丸切除或修补患者96例行睾丸活检,其组织标本作为对照组,术前经B超确定无精索静脉曲张。用免疫组织化学法检测两组样本中α-肾上腺素受体的表达。结果:α-肾上腺素受体在试验组中有103例为阳性表达,仅有7例为阴性表达,阳性表达分为弱阳性(阳性细胞10%~30%)和强阳性(阳性细胞30%),主要表达于间质细胞(Leydig细胞)、生精细胞和支持细胞(Sertoli细胞)的细胞质中;在对照组中有12例弱阳性表达,睾丸组织仅间质细胞呈弱阳性表达,而生精细胞和支持细胞无阳性表达。α-肾上腺素受体在试验组睾丸组织中的阳性表达率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:精索静脉曲张患者睾丸生精组织中α-肾上腺素受体的阳性表达可能在精索静脉曲张的病理生理过程中导致不育。     

雌激素受体在雄性生殖系统中的分布及其对雄性生殖的作用

与雄激素一样,雌激素对雄性生殖也起重要调控作用。雌激素与雌激素受体(ER)结合后,产生基因组效应或非基因组效应。ER包括ERα和ERβ。在雄性生殖系统包括睾丸、附睾、前列腺及阴茎中均有ER分布。ERα基因敲除小鼠精子发生过程明显受损,而ERβ基因敲除后小鼠精子发生仍可维持正常,提示两种ER亚型对精子发生的作用不同。ERα和ERβ还可能存在相互补偿作用。     

雌激素对雄性生殖功能的影响

雄性体内的雌激素 1/ 3来源于睾丸 ,2 / 3来源于睾丸以外 ,是由雄激素经芳香化酶的作用转化而来。雌激素通过雌激素受体 (ER)起作用 ,ER有α和 β两种亚型。雌激素是雄性生殖所必需的 ,特别是幼年时雌激素的缺失能够直接影响到成年雄性的生殖能力 ,由ERα介导的雌激素对输出小管液体重吸收作用尤其重要 ,而由ERβ介导的雌激素对睾丸生精作用的影响似乎不是特别明显     

抑制素B βB亚单位在不同病理分型的无精子症患者睾丸组织中的表达

目的:探讨抑制素B(INH B)βB亚单位在不同生精功能状态的人睾丸组织中的表达情况。方法:对83例无精子症患者进行睾丸组织病理检查诊断,根据病理形态的不同分为:唯支持细胞综合征型(n=21);生精功能低下型(n=20);生精阻滞型(n=24);生精功能基本正常型(n=18)。选择上述各型结构完整的睾丸组织,分别应用免疫组化法(SP)对血清INH B βB亚单位在不同生精功能状态的睾丸组织,进行定位研究。结果:各型睾丸组织内均存在血清INH B βB的表达,其分布特点为:间质细胞(Leydig cell)和早期生精细胞多为强阳性表达,呈深棕黄色;支持细胞(Sertoli cell)多为阳性表达;而晚期精子细胞和成熟精子未见表达;生精小管管周类肌细胞呈弱阳性表达。结论:INH B可能是睾丸Sertoli细胞和早期生精细胞的一个联合产物。     

睾丸细胞生物学研究进展

睾丸是男性生殖腺,由生精小管和间质构成。生精小管主要由生精细胞和支持细胞组成,是精子发生场所;间质中主要是间质细胞,间质细胞合成与分泌雄激素。本文介绍睾丸3种细胞的发育分化,以及成年期睾丸细胞的结构和生物学研究进展。     

Attractin蛋白在不同病理分型无精子症患者睾丸组织中的表达

目的探讨Attractin蛋白在不同生精功能状态的人睾丸组织中的表达情况。方法对31例无精子症患者进行睾丸组织病理检查诊断,根据病理形态的不同分为:唯支持细胞综合征型(n=4),生精功能低下型(n=12),生精阻滞型(n=5),生精功能基本正常型(n=10)。选择上述各型结构完整的睾丸组织,分别应用免疫组化法(SP)观察Attractin蛋白在不同生精功能状态的睾丸组织中的表达。结果各组睾丸组织内均存在Attractin蛋白的表达,其分布特点为:睾丸生精小管和间质细胞、管周肌样细胞、支持细胞上均有Attractin蛋白的表达,主要表达于胞膜和胞质,胞膜表达强于胞质。Leydig细胞、Sertoli细胞、精原细胞、精母细胞及精子细胞均为阳性表达,呈棕黄色着染。Attractin的表达与生精功能有关,正常组表达明显高于其它组,唯支组表达明显低于其他组。结论 Attractin蛋白与男性生殖密切相关,但其具体作用环节尚有待进一步研究。     

去泛素化酶24基因在小鼠睾丸精子发生过程中的表达特征

目的:研究去泛素化酶24(USP24)基因在小鼠睾丸精子发生过程中的表达特征,初步探讨其在生精过程中的作用。方法:通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)和免疫荧光等方法检测USP24在不同周龄野生型小鼠睾丸组织以及成年雄激素受体敲除(ARKO)小鼠睾丸中的表达特征;采用双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测USP24启动子转录活性。结果:qPCR和免疫荧光结果表明,USP24基因在出生1周时表达水平较低,3周时急剧升高,随后维持在相似水平至第8周;USP24主要定位于支持细胞和生精细胞的细胞质;与野生型相比,USP24在ARKO小鼠睾丸表达降低;性成熟小鼠睾丸中,USP24定位于成熟精子头部后端及中部。双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果显示,睾酮刺激后USP24启动子的转录活性升高。结论:USP24基因的表达水平的升高与小鼠的性发育相关,且其蛋白在小鼠成熟精子上表达。USP24是受雄激素受体(AR)调控的靶基因。USP24可能参与调控小鼠的精子发生过程。     

一氧化氮合酶在食蟹猴睾丸及附睾中的表达及意义

目的:探索一氧化氮合酶(NOS)在食蟹猴睾丸及附睾中的表达及意义。方法:运用免疫组化染色法观察NOS在8只猴龄为8岁左右性成熟食蟹猴睾丸及附睾中的分布。结果:①神经元型NOS(nNOS)免疫反应阳性见于睾丸生精小管上皮内各级生精细胞、腔内精子、附睾输出小管上皮、血管内皮细胞。②诱导型NOS(iNOS)免疫反应阳性见于附睾输出小管上皮、腔内精子、管周类肌细胞、血管内皮细胞。③内皮型NOS(eNOS)免疫反应阳性见于睾丸间质细胞、附睾输出小管上皮、腔内精子、管周类肌细胞、血管内皮细胞。结论:NOS广泛表达于性成熟食蟹猴睾丸及附睾组织细胞中,推测其在参与精子发生、成熟及睾丸激素分泌等过程中起到重要作用。     

Comparing expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in testicular tissue from men with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia

The objective of this study was to identify and compare the expression profiles of progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) in the testes of men with obstructive azoospermia (OA), maturation arrest (MA), and Sertoli cell-only (SCO) histology. Testicular biopsies were obtained from 10 patients with OA, 10 patients with MA (either early or late arrest), and 8 patients with SCO who did not have hormonal abnormalities and varicoceles. Expression of PR and ERalpha was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. PR was expressed in the spermatogenic, Leydig, and Sertoli cells in the testes of OA patients. In the MA and SCO patients, the expression of PR was reduced in all cell types as compared with that in the OA patients. Western blot demonstrated that both the full-size (120 KDa) and the truncated (52 KDa) isoforms of the PR were expressed in the OA and MA testes. However, in the SCO testes, only the truncated isoform of PR (52 KDa) was expressed. ERalpha (66 KDa) was expressed principally in the spermatogenic and Leydig cells in the OA testes. By immunohistochemistry staining, expression of ERalpha was decreased in the spermatogenic and Leydig cells of the MA testes, whereas its expression was enhanced in the Leydig cells of the SCO testes. However, by Western blot, expression of ERalpha was significantly reduced in the SCO testes as compared with that in the OA and MA testes. We conclude that PR and ERalpha may play a role in the pathogenesis of the MA and SCO phenotype in patients with infertility.     

Êxpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the azoospermic human testis

Azoospermia, which is the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, is not a rare cause of male infertility. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a calcium-independent NOS, which is present in the testis and involved in spermatogenesis, and apoptosis of Sertoli and germ cells. Twenty idiopathic infertile men presenting nonobstructive azoospermia were enrolled in this study, and testicular sperm extraction procedures were performed. Tissue extracts were dissected, and the fluid samples were investigated to determine the presence of spermatozoa. Histologic evaluation of the spermatozoa-present samples revealed that seminiferous tubules were normal and were lined by Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells. However, in the spermatozoa-absent samples, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules was small, and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome was determined in most of the tubules. iNOS expression was very weak in Sertoli cells, germ cells, and in Leydig cells in the spermatozoa-present group. In the spermatozoa-absent group, the immunostaining was very intense in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Electron microscopy findings were supported the histologic results. In conclusion, complete germ cell loss and intense expression of iNOS in the Sertoli and Leydig cells in the spermatozoa-absent groups of azoospermic human testis suggest an essential role of iNOS in spermatogenesis.     

RhoGDIα在人睾丸、精子中表达及其与体外受精成功率相关性的初步分析

目的:观察Rho特异性的GDP解离抑制因子α(RhoGDIα)在人睾丸、精子中的表达及定位并比较RhoGDIα在正常生育男性和体外受精(IVF)不育患者精子中的表达差异。方法:通过免疫组化方法观察RhoGDIα在人睾丸中的定位;通过免疫荧光方法观察RhoGDIα在人精子获能前、获能后、顶体反应后的定位;收集正常男性精液标本(10例),高受精率(≥60%,12例)和低受精率(<60%,13例)的IVF不育患者的精液标本,Percoll细胞分离液分离精液标本,排除生精细胞和白细胞,分别通过免疫荧光和Western印迹方法,检测RhoGDIα的表达。结果:免疫组化结果显示RhoGDIα存在于人睾丸各级生精细胞中,并在长形精子细胞高表达。免疫荧光结果显示RhoGDIα在人精子的顶体和尾部有较强表达,并且随着获能的发生,在顶体上的表达减弱,当顶体反应发生后,顶体上的表达完全消失。Western印迹结果显示不易受精的IVF患者精子中RhoGDIα的表达(0.66±0.18)显著低于正常组(1.13±0.21)和易受精的IVF患者组(0.97±0.17)。结论:RhoGDIα定位于人精子的顶体和尾部,可能参与了精子运动,获能及顶体反应过程。RhoGDIα在受精率低下患者精子中表达显著降低,提示RhoGDIα可能成为一个新的男性不育的诊断指标,并且可能成为IVF供精选择的一个指标。     

Y染色体微缺失不育患者精液细胞学观察

目的:对Y染色体AZF区域微缺失不育患者进行精液细胞学检查,从而评估其生精功能。方法:收集35例AZF缺失不育患者,年龄23~44岁,经3次以上精液常规分析证实,26例为非梗阻性无精子症,9例为严重少精子症。按照AZF缺失部位分为以下4组进行观察:AZFa+b+c区域缺失组5例,AZFb+c缺失(4例)及单独AZFb缺失(3例)组7例,AZFc缺失组23例。采集患者精液,待自然液化后离心,生理盐水洗涤2次,离心沉淀物经生理盐水稀释后涂于干净玻片上,瑞吉染色,光学显微镜下观察。对其中6例患者进行了睾丸组织病理学检查。结果:AZFa+b+c缺失组,精液细胞学检查均未见各级生精细胞,可见少量上皮细胞。其中1例经睾丸活组织病理学检查,生精小管中未见各级生精细胞,为唯支持细胞综合征,与精液细胞学检查结果一致。AZFb+c缺失及单独AZFb缺失组,精液细胞学检查其中6例细胞停滞在精母细胞阶段,2例睾丸活检见生精阻滞在初级精母细胞阶段。1例AZFb缺失的患者精液细胞学检查见初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞和精子细胞,但睾丸活检显示阻滞在精母细胞阶段。AZFc缺失组中,少精子症组(8例)患者生精细胞检查5例停滞在精母细胞阶段,见少量精子细胞,另3例未见各级生精细胞;无精子症组(15例)患者未见各级生精细胞,其中2例经睾丸活检,证实为唯支持细胞综合征。结论:精液细胞学检查对AZF缺失患者能有效评估生精功能,作为一项无创检查技术,容易被患者接受,推荐作为临床评估生精功能的一项方法。     

Effect of intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal on the expression of alpha-catenin in the adult rat testis]

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of alpha-catenin in the rat testis after intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal induced by injection of testosterone undecanoate (TU). METHODS: Ten adult male SD rats received vehicle (n = 5 ) or TU (19 mg/kg every 15 days, n = 5) for 130 days. Paraffin-embedded testicular sections were used for immunohistochemistry against a polyclonal anti-alpha-catenin antibody. RESULTS: In the control, alpha-catenin was expressed in the acrosome of spermatids and the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells. In the TU-treated rat testis, Leydig cells were atrophied and the expression of alpha-catenin was markedly decreased or absent, but there was no evident change in the immunostaining of spermatids or myoid cells. CONCLUSION: Intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal-induced looser arrangement or sloughing of spermatogenic cells is not related to the adhesion molecule alpha-catenin. Alpha-catenin may be used as a cell identification marker for Leydig cells.     

Men with nonobstructive azoospermia have Leydig cell hypertrophy but not hyperplasia

PURPOSE: We determined whether testicular histology in men with spermatogenic failure due to nonobstructive azoospermia shows true Leydig cell hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testicular biopsy specimens from 17 patients evaluated for infertility were retrospectively analyzed. Interstitial, tubular and Leydig cell volume were quantitatively evaluated. The total volume and number of Leydig cells per testicle were then calculated. RESULTS: In 10 patients with obstructive azoospermia testicular histology showed normal spermatogenic function, while 7 had nonobstructive azoospermia. Average testicular volume plus or minus standard deviation was significantly larger in those with obstructive versus nonobstructive azoospermia (18.0 +/- 7.0 versus 9.3 +/- 8.7 cc, p = 0.025). Interstitial versus tubular volume was 32% of the total testis in the obstructive and 63% in the nonobstructive groups (p = 0.003). Although Leydig cell volume was proportionally greater in men with nonobstructive versus obstructive azoospermia (13.3% versus 0.05%, p = 0.045), there was no significant difference in the average number of Leydig cells per testicle (3.96 x 10 and 6.17 x 10, respectively, p = 0.16). The average volume of individual Leydig cells was significantly greater in men with the nonobstructive condition (253.0 +/- 98.7 versus 174.0 +/- 57.7 microm., p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that men with nonobstructive azoospermia and those with normal spermatogenesis have an equivalent number of Leydig cells. However, the Leydig cells are hypertrophic and occupy a larger proportion of total testis volume in men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Therefore, patients with spermatogenic failure show Leydig cell hypertrophy but not hyperplasia.     

内源性睾酮抑制对大鼠睾丸内α-catenin表达的影响

目的:检测十一酸睾酮注射致内源性睾酮抑制的大鼠睾丸内α-caten in的表达情况。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠10只,随机分为对照组(肌注生理盐水)和睾酮组[肌注十一酸睾酮19 mg/(kg.15 d)],共130 d。制作睾丸石蜡切片,采用抗α-caten in多克隆抗体进行免疫组化染色。结果:在对照组中,α-caten in主要表达于精子细胞顶体、管周肌样细胞和Leyd ig细胞胞质。睾酮组的Leyd ig细胞明显萎缩,-αcaten in的表达明显减弱或消失,而精子细胞顶体和管周肌样细胞胞质的-αcaten in表达无明显改变。结论:内源性睾酮抑制所致生精细胞排列疏松或脱落与粘附分子-αcaten in的表达无关。-αcaten in有可能成为识别Leyd ig细胞的标记物。     

邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物与睾丸源性生殖障碍综合征

流行病学研究显示妇女在怀孕期间接触邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物后,所产男婴易患隐睾、尿道下裂、成年期睾丸肿瘤及精液质量低下等症状。这类症状可统称为睾丸源性生殖障碍综合征(testicular dysgenesis syndrome,TDS)。TDS可能是由男性胎儿睾丸的发育在子宫内受到影响不能发育出具有正常功能的睾丸间质(Leydig)细胞和支持(Sertoli)细胞引起的。例如,睾丸间质细胞接触邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物后,睾丸间质细胞的两种产物———睾酮和胰岛素样生长因子3(INSL3)———受到了抑制,两者对于睾丸下降起关键作用。成年期睾丸的胎儿型间质细胞和支持细胞错位可能是精子生成减少的原因。