Attractin蛋白在大鼠睾丸和附睾中的免疫组织化学定位

目的 :探讨Attractin蛋白在成熟大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中的分布。　方法 :健康成年雄性SD大鼠 2 0只 ,灌流取睾丸和附睾组织固定 ,石蜡包埋和冰冻切片。用免疫组化法和间接免疫荧光方法检测Attractin蛋白在成熟大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中的表达。　结果 :睾丸组织间质细胞、睾丸精曲小管管周肌样细胞和各级生精细胞 (精原细胞、初级精母细胞和精子细胞 )、支持细胞呈阳性反应 ,主要表达于胞膜及胞质。睾丸间质细胞表达略强于生精细胞。附睾头、体、尾均未见表达。　结论 :Attractin蛋白在成熟大鼠睾丸组织间质细胞和生精细胞中有较强的表达 ,其生理功能尚有待进一步探讨。     

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。     

Attractin蛋白和mRNA在不同日龄大鼠睾丸中的表达

目的:已知成熟大鼠睾丸组织中有Attractin蛋白的广泛表达,本文旨在进一步探讨Attractin蛋白和AttractinmRNA在各年龄段大鼠睾丸组织中的分布。方法:取出生第1d(新生鼠)、第5d(青春前期)、第20d(青春中期)、第50d(青春后期)及第70d(成年期)大鼠睾丸和附睾组织固定,采用酶免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法检测Attractin和AttractinmRNA在大鼠睾丸组织中的表达。结果:免疫组化显示各年龄段大鼠睾丸生精小管和间质细胞、管周肌样细胞上均有Attractin蛋白的表达,分布于胞膜和胞质,精子和附睾上未见表达。随着日龄的增加,间质细胞的表达逐渐增强。原位杂交显示各年龄段大鼠睾丸生精小管和间质细胞、管周肌样细胞、支持细胞上也均有AttractinmRNA阳性棕色颗粒杂交信号,主要表达于胞核及胞质。且随着日龄的增加,睾丸生精细胞表达略强于间质细胞。精子和附睾上未见表达。结论:AttractinmRNA和Attractin蛋白在各日龄大鼠睾丸组织中均有广泛的分布,且分布一致。提示各日龄大鼠睾丸组织都具有合成Attractin蛋白的能力。其生理功能和机制尚有待进一步探讨。     

成年大鼠睾丸Smad1和Smad5的免疫组织化学研究

目的 :探讨骨形态形成蛋白的细胞内信号传导分子Smad1和Smad5蛋白在成年大鼠睾丸内的表达。　方法 :应用免疫组织化学ABC法结合葡萄糖氧化酶 DAB 硫酸镍铵增强技术 ,检测成年大鼠睾丸Smad1和Smad5蛋白的表达和定位。　结果 :Smad1蛋白表达于大鼠睾丸精曲小管的各级生精细胞的胞质内 ,呈淡染的紫蓝色颗粒 ,胞核为阴性 ,免疫染色阳性细胞主要包括精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞和精子细胞 ;而Smad5蛋白阳性染色不明显 ,只有睾丸间质细胞呈弱阳性反应 ,免疫反应阳性物质主要定位于细胞质。　结论 :Smad1蛋白主要表达于睾丸精曲小管各级生精细胞 ,Smad5蛋白表达于间质细胞 ,为揭示TGF β超家族在精子发生中的分子机理提供了直接证据。     

血管内皮生长因子和其受体Flt-1在青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾及附睾内精子上的表达研究

目的:通过对血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体Flt-1在大鼠睾丸、附睾及附睾内精子上表达的研究,探讨其在雄性生殖系统中的作用。方法:免疫组化SP法和免疫荧光法检测20只青春期SD大鼠睾丸、附睾及精子上VEGF和Flt-1蛋白的表达情况。结果:VEGF和Flt-1在大鼠睾丸和附睾组织及精子上均有特征性表达。睾丸内VEGF蛋白表达于生精细胞、精子细胞发育中的顶体、Sertoli和Leydig细胞胞质内;Flt-1只见于精子细胞发育中的顶体及Leydig细胞胞质中。附睾中VEGF表达于各段上皮主细胞胞质内,而Flt-1表达于头、尾段上皮主细胞胞质内,体部免疫染色阴性;两者在附睾上皮亮细胞、晕细胞和基细胞中均为阴性表达。免疫荧光染色显示,VEGF和Flt-1共同定位于附睾内精子头部的顶体,尾部的颈、中和主段。结论:VEGF和Flt-1蛋白在大鼠睾丸、附睾及精子中的特异性表达提示,他们可由不同生精上皮细胞、间质细胞和附睾主细胞产生,可能以自分泌或旁分泌的形式单独或共同作用于睾丸和附睾的生殖细胞或Leydig细胞,直接或间接地影响精子的发生、发育和成熟过程,并与精子的活动和受精能力有关。     

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。     

二甲磺酸乙烷致间质细胞破坏所引起的成年大鼠睾丸和附睾的组织学变化:形态定量研究

目的:定量研究睾酮分泌剧烈减少所致睾丸和附睾的组织学变化。方法:14只成年 SD 大鼠腹腔内注射二甲磺酸乙烷(EDS,75mg/kg),14只注射生理盐水作为对照。7天后处死各组中的一半动物,过5天后处死另一半。取睾丸和附睾组织块,甲基丙烯酸树脂包埋。用体视学的光学体视框技术估计睾丸内的细胞数,并用其它形态定量研究方法获取另外一些参数。结果:EDS 注射使睾丸内的间质细胞几乎完全消失,但对支持细胞总数没有影响。EDS 注射7天后,生精上皮内可见许多长形精子细胞滞留,附睾管内可见许多圆形精子细胞。EDS 注射12天后,精子细胞和精母细胞的排列明显变疏松,生精细胞之间出现明显的裂隙,裂隙近似放射状朝向生精小管腔;睾丸内的非 B 型精原细胞总数和精母细胞总数与对照组相似,但 B 型精原细胞总数增加59%,而早期(圆形)、中期和晚期(长形)精子细胞总数分别减少37%、72%和52%。结论:EDS 所致精子发生损害主要是(1)精子释放障碍,(2)精子细胞、精母细胞分离并伴有精子形成和成熟分裂障碍。     

附睾分泌蛋白2β1在青春期雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达

目的:探讨附睾分泌蛋白2(HE2/EP2)的一种异构体———HE2β1在青春期雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达及其意义。方法:应用免疫组化SP法检测15只青春期SD大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中HE2β1的定位及其表达情况。结果:HE2β1在青春期大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中均有表达。在附睾中,HE2β1主要表达于附睾管上皮主细胞胞质内,而在亮细胞、晕细胞及基细胞内未见阳性表达;其表达水平在附睾头部远段较弱,在体部近、中段及尾部较强,而在附睾始段未见阳性表达。在睾丸生精小管中,部分精原细胞核及支持细胞核均可见明显的棕褐色的阳性颗粒,其他生精细胞以及间质细胞均为阴性。结论:HE2β1在青春期雄性大鼠的睾丸和附睾上皮中均有表达,其定位及表达水平具有区域特异性和细胞特异性,提示其在大鼠精子发生、成熟及附睾上皮天然抗感染机制中发挥重要的作用。     

β-肌动蛋白在大鼠精子发生过程中的特殊表达

目的:寻找大鼠精子发生相关蛋白,研究β-肌动蛋白在大鼠睾丸组织的表达和分布。方法:用牛血清白蛋白梯度沉降(STAPUT)法从9日龄雄性SD大鼠睾丸中分离出A型精原细胞,从成年雄性大鼠睾丸中分离出粗线期精母细胞、圆形精子细胞;分别提取这3种细胞的总蛋白,进行双向电泳;对所得到的双向电泳图谱用Im ageM aster2D E lite图像分析软件分析,找出差异蛋白,对挑选出的差异蛋白做质谱分析。进一步用β-肌动蛋白抗体做免疫组化的睾丸组织定位研究。结果:在双向电泳图谱中,β-肌动蛋白在A型精原细胞、粗线期精母细胞中表达量较高,在圆形精子细胞中则表达量极少。免疫组化研究发现:A型精原细胞、粗线期精母细胞有阳性颗粒反应,圆形精子细胞则无阳性颗粒反应;在接近成熟的精子细胞中,呈现极强的阳性颗粒反应,并且越接近排放期的精子细胞,阳性反应越强。在接近成熟的精子头部,阳性颗粒反应最强。β-肌动蛋白主要在精原细胞和精母细胞的细胞质中表达;在接近成熟的精子细胞中主要表达在细胞核。结论:β-肌动蛋白在精子发生过程中有明显的阶段差异表达,推测其对精子发生起重要调节作用。     

年龄相关分子c-kit、HIWI和波形蛋白在不同月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达

目的:检查c-kit、HIWI和波形蛋白在不同月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中的表达差异,研究睾丸和附睾在成熟和衰老过程中特征性分子表达的规律性改变,为研究男性生殖系统衰老提供实验依据。方法:运用免疫组织化学方法检查6、12、24月龄SD大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中c-kit、HIWI和波形蛋白抗体免疫反应强度,并对其进行比较分析。结果:c-kit特异性免疫反应阳性主要表达于精原细胞,其他细胞表达水平甚弱,不同月龄差异不显著。附睾上皮、附睾管腔内成分亦有c-kit阳性表达。HIWI在大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中表达也很丰富,6月龄和12月龄大鼠中各级生精细胞,尤其是精原细胞和初级精母细胞为免疫反应强阳性细胞;支持细胞、间质细胞、类肌细胞和血管内皮细胞亦为HIWI阳性细胞。附睾上皮有HIWI阳性表达。但是24月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中HIWI表达下调。波形蛋白在睾丸和附睾组织中表达模式为6月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中低表达,24月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾组织表达明显上调(P<0.01)。结论:c-kit、HIWI在24月龄动物睾丸和附睾组织中表达下调,波形蛋白表达随增龄而明显增强。结果提示,睾丸和附睾组织的衰老与细胞和细胞信号转导异常密切相关。     

Distribution of Mahoganoid protein its mRNA in the testes and epididymides of mature male rats]

OBJECTIVE: To localize the Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA in the testes and epididymides of mature male rats. METHODS: Testes and epididymides obtained from mature male SD rats (n = 20) were fixed by 4% poly formaldehyde and sliced for immunohistochemical (IHC) test and in situ hybridization (ISH) test, respectively, for detecting Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA. RESULTS: In both the 2 tests, clear brown staining was observed in Leydig cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells, and peritubular myoid cells. Both the Mahoganoid protein and its mRNA were mainly located on cell membrane and cytoplasm. And in the epididymis tissues, the Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA were respectively expressed within the membrane and cytoplasm of principal cells, basic cells and epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Both Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA are expressed in the male rat reproductive system and localized in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells and epithelial cells. They play an important role in spermatogenesis but their physiological significance remains to be clarified.     

环氧合酶-2在成年雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达

目的:探讨环氧合酶 2在雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中的表达及其意义。　方法:应用免疫组化SP法检测 40只雄性SD大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中环氧合酶 2的表达及其定位情况。　结果:环氧合酶 2在雄性大鼠的睾丸和 附睾组织中有较强的表达。在附睾头部主要表达于腔上皮细胞的细胞核内,部分细胞质内也可见表达,睾丸精原 细胞胞质和细胞核内均可见棕黄色颗粒。　结论:免疫组化法可较为敏感地检测环氧合酶 2在雄性大鼠睾丸和 附睾组织的表达。     

Effect of Sarcostemma acidum stem extract on spermatogenesis in male albino rats

AIM: To evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats. METHOD: Male rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs. RESULTS: S. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately. CONCLUSION: S. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.     

Antifertility effects of methanolic pod extract of Albizzia lebbeck （L.） Benth in male rats

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of the methanolic pod extract of Albizzia lebbeck (L.) Benth in male albino rats. Methods: The methanolic pod extract of Albizzia lebbeck was administrated orally for 60 days at 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1·day-1 to male albino rats. Sperm motility and density in cauda epididymides were assessed. Biochemical and histological analysis were performed in blood samples and reproductive organs. Results: A. lebbeck pod extract brought about a significant decrease in the weights of testis, seminal vesicles, epdidymis and ventral prostate. The sperm motility and density were significantly reduced. There was a marked reduction in the numbers of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The Sertoli cell count as well as its cross sectional surface area were significantly decreased. The Leydig cell nuclear area and the number of mature Leydig celis were also significantly decreased. The protein, glycogen and cholesterol content of the testis, the fructos     

Localization of androgen and estrogen receptors in adult male mouse reproductive tract

There is considerable variation, both within and between species, in reports of nuclear steroid receptor localizations in the male reproductive tract. In this study, androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta were visualized by immunohistochemistry in adult male mice reproductive tracts, including testes, efferent ductules; initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymides; and vas deferens. Antibody specificity was demonstrated by Western blot and antibody competition. In testis, AR was expressed in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and most peritubular cells, but not in germ cells; Sertoli cells showed more intense staining in stages VI-VII; ERalpha was present in Leydig and some peritubular cells; ERbeta was in Leydig, some peritubular, all Sertoli and germ cells except in spermatids and meiotic spermatocytes. In efferent ductules, AR was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells and in stromal cells; ERalpha was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells; stromal cells were negative; and ERbeta was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells and also in stromal cells. In epididymis, AR was strongly expressed in all epithelial cells (not in intraepithelial lymphocytes); ERalpha was strongly expressed in apical, narrow, and some basal cells of the initial segment, and in caput, principal cells of the caput, clear cells of the distal caput through cauda; stromal cells were negative in the initial segment, but more stromal cells were stained from caput to cauda; ERbeta was strongly expressed in most of epithelial cells of the epididymis, but stromal cells were inconsistently stained. In vas deferens, AR was weakly expressed or absent in principal cells but moderately stained in basal cells, smooth muscle cells of stroma were stained intensely, ERalpha was absent in epithelial cells but present in a subepithelial smooth muscle layer, and ERbeta was strongly expressed in all epithelial cells and most stromal cells. This study demonstrates that the reproductive tracts of male mice differ considerably from those of rats in expression of ARs and ERs and that caution is needed when extrapolating nuclear steroid receptor data across mammalian species.     

Effect of Alstonia scholaris bark extract on testicular function of Wistar rats

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the antifertility effect ofAlstonia scholaris bark extract in male rats. Methods: In male Wistar rats Alstonia scholaris bark extract was given by oral route at a dose of 200 mg/day for 60 days. The fertility and testicular function were assessed by mating tests, sperm motility, sperm concentration, biochemical indices and testicular cell population dynamics. Results: Oral feeding with the extract at a dose of 200 mg/day for the period of 60 days did not cause body weight loss, while the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were significantly reduced. The production of step-19 spermatids was reduced by 79.6% in treated rats. The population of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes were decreased by 61.9% and 60.1%, respectively. Spermatogonia and Sertoli cell population were also affected. The seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclear area were reduced significantly (P<0.01) when compared to the controls. Reduced sperm count and motility res     

Leydig cell aging: steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme

Primary points of control in steroidogenesis are the transport of cholesterol from intracellular stores to the inner mitochondrial membrane, and the subsequent conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc). Testosterone production has been shown to decline in Brown Norway rat Leydig cells as the rats age. To better understand the mechanism by which aging Leydig cells lose steroidogenic function, we examined the effect of aging on steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), an important Leydig cell cholesterol transfer protein, and on P450scc. Leydig cells isolated from middle-aged (14 months) and old (24 months) rats produced significantly less testosterone than cells from young (4 months) rats. StAR mRNA (1.7 kilobase [kb]) was significantly reduced in Leydig cells from middle-aged and old rats, by 26% and 52%, respectively. Significant reductions also were seen in the steady-state levels of mRNA for P450scc, of 29% and 50%, respectively. Western blots revealed significant reductions in StAR protein, by 47% and 74%, respectively, and in P450scc protein, by 38% and 54%, respectively. In response to LH stimulation in vitro, testosterone production by Leydig cells in young, middle-aged, and old rats increased by 30-, 40-, and 33-fold, respectively, although the amounts of testosterone produced by the young cells significantly exceeded that produced by the middle-aged and old cells. StAR protein also increased in response to LH by 1.4- , 3-, and 11-fold, respectively, whereas P450scc protein remained unchanged. These results are consistent with the conclusion that compromise of StAR-mediated cholesterol transport may play a key role in age-related reductions in Leydig cell steroidogenesis. However, because P450scc is reduced in old Leydig cells, the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme would be rate-limiting under circumstances in which saturating amounts of cholesterol entered the mitochondria.     

Involvement of nuclear factor-kappa B on corticosterone- induced rat Leydig cell apoptosis

Aim:To investigate the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-kappa B)and its function in glucocorticoid-inducedLeydig cell apoptosis.Methods:The Leydig cells were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats(90 days of age)andwere incubated with corticosterone(CORT,glucocorticoid in rat)for 6 h,12 h and 24 h,respectively.The P65subunit of NF-kappa B(NF-kappa B/P65)in nuclei and the inhibitor of NF-kappa B(Ikappa B)in cytoplasm wereanalyzed by Western-blotting.The Leydig cells were treated with anti-Fas antibody for 3 h followed by Westernblotting to assay the changes of NF-kappa B/P65 in nuclei and in cytoplasm.The role of NF-kappa B in CORT-induced Leydig cell apoptosis was evaluated by observing the effects of NF-kappa B/P65 overexpression and inhibit-ing activation of NF-kappa B by 100μmol/L Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)on this apoptosis.Results:Thetreatment of Leydig cells with CORT increased the levels of NF-kappa B/P65 in nuclei and decreased the levels ofIkappa B in cytoplasm.Following the Leydig cells were treated with anti-Fas antibody,the levels of NF-kappaB/P65was increased in nuclei and decreased in cytoplasm.The CORT-induced Leydig cell apoptosis was inhibited byoverexpressed NF-kappaB/P65 and was enhanced by incubation with PDTC.Conclusion:NF-kappa B is activatedby increased FasL/Fas in CORT-induced Leydig cell apoptosis.NF-kappa B may play an anti-apoptotic role in thisapoptosis.(Asian J Androl 2006 Nov;8:693-702)