Binding of seminal vesicle proteins to the plasma membrane of rat spermatozoa in vivo and in vitro

The association of seminal vesicle (SV) proteins with rat spermatozoa has been studied in vivo and in vitro. SV proteins bind to the sperm plasma membrane after ejaculation but are removed progressively from the sperm plasma membrane in the female genital tract. Although some of these remain bound to spermatozoa when they reach the oviducts, they do not seem to be present at the time of fertilization. This could indicate a putative role for these SV proteins in pre-fertilization events. In addition, the binding of SV antigens was studied in vitro. It was observed that the ability to bind SV proteins is gained by the spermatozoa during epididymal maturation, and is first detectable in spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymis. On the other hand, the binding is regulated by other proteins present in the ejaculate which are secreted by the coagulating glands. Experiments also showed that mouse spermatozoa are able to bind rat SV proteins, indicating that the binding is not a highly species-specific phenomenon.     

Immunohistochemical and enzyme histochemical localization of peptidergic, aminergic and cholinergic nerve fibers in the rat seminal vesicle.

The distribution of the autonomic nervous system in the rat seminal vesicle was studied with immuno- and enzyme-histochemistry. In the smooth muscle layer, a large number of neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed, while few fibers were distributed in the mucosal layer. A small number of substance P-immunoreactive fibers were present only in the smooth muscular layer, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive fibers were abundantly distributed in both layers. In the mucosal layer, the VIP-fibers ran attached to blood vessels and encircled the glandular cavities. Acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers were also observed in the mucosal and muscular layers. Electron-microscopic studies revealed that NPY- and TH-containing nerve terminals were in apposition to smooth muscle cells, and VIP-fibers terminated at blood vessels. These results suggest different modes of action of NPY-, TH- and VIP-containing nerve fibers in the seminal vesicle.     

Evidence for androgen-dependent phosphodiesterase activity in rat seminal vesicle and epididymis

This paper deals with findings implying the existence of an androgen-dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in accessory sexual glands (seminal vesicle and epididymis) of the rat. It is suggested that the PDE activity is not a prerequisite for, but merely a modulator of the overall androgenic response.     

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins from different lobes of the rat prostate and seminal vesicle

Two-dimensional ISO-DALT electrophoresis of cytosols and secretions from various lobes of the rat prostate gland and seminal vesicle reveals major differences in intracellular and secretory protein patterns. This study confirms a previous study utilizing one-dimensional electrophoresis. The dorsal lobe and coagulating gland appear to secrete predominantly relatively basic proteins (molecular mass, MM, 70,000–200,000 daltons, pI > 7) in contrast to the ventral lobe, which secretes proteins of a more acidic character (pI 4–5). The majority of proteins in the latter case appear to represent subunits of the major secretory protein of the rat ventral prostate, prostatein. At least one secretory protein is relatively specific for the lateral lobe (MM 16,000 daltons, pI 4.5). The vesicular secretion also contains relatively greater quantities of basic proteins than acidic but with varying molecular mass (12,000–100,000 daltons). This study extends the search for specific protein markers for different lobes of the rat accessory sex glands and provides additional biochemical data which can be exploited in the future to isolate selected secretory proteins on a large scale for antibody production.     

Quantitative (stereological) study of the epididymis and seminal vesicle in the rat from young to old

There is a scarcity of morphometric data on the developmental and ageing changes in the epididymis and seminal vesicle in young and old rats. Eighty‐six normal male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly sampled from a cohort of animals aged 1–36 months (7–9 animals each age group). The epididymis and seminal vesicle (with the closely attached coagulating gland) were removed, and methacrylate resin‐embedded sections were prepared for quantitative study of key histological structures by light microscopy. Stereological methods (point counting and optical disector) were used to estimate the total volumes of sperm mass, secretion (glandular lumen) and other structures and the number of spermatozoa. The results showed that the rapid growth of the reproductive organs was between 1 and 4 months of age. The epididymis stored the largest volume of sperm mass or number of spermatozoa at 12 months of age, but thereafter until 36 months of age, the sperm storage did not markedly diminish. The volume of secretion stored in the seminal vesicular gland declined by more than 35% from a plateau at 12–18 months until 36 months of age while that in the coagulating gland declined by more than 30% from a plateau at 18–24 months until 36 months of age.     

Growth responses of the guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium and muscle to long-term treatment with dihydrotestosterone and/or estradiol benzoate

The three-month treatment regimen with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2B) which was capable of producing a supranormal growth of the canine prostate gland equal to that occurring in spontaneous canine benign prostatic hypertrophy, failed to produce similar changes in either the epithelium or smooth muscle of the guinea pig seminal vesicle. The factor limiting the growth response in the seminal vesicle epithelium and muscle of the castrate guinea pig proved to be the lack of a DHT-estradiol benzoate (E2B) synergism, since the growth responses in seminal vesicle tissues to the three-month treatment with DHT alone were similar to that previously recorded for the canine prostate. The lack of a DHT-E2B synergism in the guinea pig seminal vesicle may be responsible for the absence of spontaneous hypertrophy of this organ and other organs such as the human seminal vesicle with advancing age.     

糖尿病大鼠精囊组织中神经生长因子和胆碱能M3受体的变化

目的:观察糖尿病大鼠精囊组织中神经生长因子(NGF)和胆碱能毒蕈碱M3受体含量的变化,以探讨糖尿病自主神经病变对精囊的影响,为糖尿病不育的临床防治提供理论依据。方法:成年雄性普通级SD大鼠15只,随机分为正常对照组5只和糖尿病模型组10只。链脲佐菌素(STZ)制备糖尿病模型成功后饲养8周,取精囊组织进行苏木精-伊红(HE)染色和免疫组化染色。结果:与正常对照组相比,糖尿病模型组HE染色可见大鼠精囊平滑肌细胞减少,腺上皮胞质变薄,结构紊乱。免疫组织化学染色显示,糖尿病模型组NGF阳性强度明显增强,而M3受体则明显减弱,糖尿病模型组与正常对照两组间NGF和M3平均累积光密度(IA)[0.018 7±0.002 4 vs 0.010 0±0.001 5和0.020 9±0.008 5 vs 0.041 2±0.011 7]的差异均具有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。结论:NGF和M3受体在糖尿病鼠精囊中表达改变,提示糖尿病可致精囊自主神经病变。     

Androgen regulation of polyamine synthesis in seminal vesicle and in different lobes of the rat prostate

Endogenous levels of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine have been examined in the 10(6) m/s2 supernatant of different lobes of the rat prostate and in the seminal vesicles of castrates, androgen-stimulated castrates, and intact controls. Content of the polyamines varied between the lobes, with spermidine highest in intact animals. After castration, the content of polyamines fell significantly in all lobes but the coagulating gland (CG). Spermidine levels were highest, except in the lateral prostate (LP) and CG, where the content of putrescine was highest. In castrated animals treated with testosterone propionate for 72 h, the amount of the three polyamines examined increased dramatically in the ventral prostate (VP) and moderately in the CG and seminal vesicle (SV). Concerning individual polyamines, spermidine increased significantly in all lobes, while putrescine increased significantly only in the two saccular parts of rat prostate, i.e., CG and SV. Spermidine content decreased significantly in the DP. Major differences in the content of the three polyamines--putrescine, spermidine, and spermine--in the various tissues studied have been found. Moreover, distinct differences among intact, castrated, and testosterone-treated castrated animals have been revealed.     

In vitro and in vivo assessment of silver-coated polypropylene mesh to prevent infection in a rat model

Introduction and hypothesis  

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of silver coating of polypropylene implants on infection in hernia surgery.     

In vivo visualization of the neuromuscular junction before and after autologous nerve transfer in the rat

In vivo visualization of the neuromuscular junction with epifluorescence imaging techniques has become a successful method of observing the ongoing process of re-occupation by regenerating motor axons of former post-synaptic sites after nerve injury. By using a light-integrating video camera for digital documentation, all parts of the neuromuscular junction can be visualized, as detailed as when documented with high-speed film, but with a minimum light intensity to prevent damage of neural or muscular structures. Results from comparisons of pre- and post-synaptic staining indicate a non-reoccupation rate up to 37 percent at a 55-day interval after nerve transfer, and up to 34 percent at a 66-day postoperative interval. Morphologic findings suggest that these high non-reoccupation rates are caused jointly by intramuscular missprouting, an insufficient intramuscular guidance apparatus, and intramuscular microneuroma formation at the insufficient neuromuscular junction.     

In vivo intra-articular negative pressure wound therapy effect on cartilage in a goat model

This prospective, randomized, blinded pilot study determined if a difference was present in the histology and apoptotic rate of articular cartilage after application of a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device to an uninjured joint surface compared to a control side using Capra hircus goats. The goats were euthanized at 3 or 7 days after surgery. The en bloc joint resection was divided into medial (direct sponge contact) and lateral compartments (no sponge contact; indirect NPWT). In the necropsied cartilage and menisci, there were no gross or histologic/morphometric differences identified by a blinded veterinary pathologist. The percentages of apoptotic and necrotic chondrocytes based on flow cytometry were not statistically different. This study demonstrated that there were no observable deleterious effects to uninjured cartilage from direct or indirect intra-articular NPWT placement. These data suggest that NPWT may be placed safely in an intra-articular position for up to 7 days. Further studies in humans are warranted.