Epididymal Histoarchitecture of Goats under Chronic Cyproterone Acetate

Epididymis were collected from cyproterone acetate-treated Black Bengal goats. Treatment for 70 days reduced the epididymal weight. Caput epididymidis showed drastic decrease in the height of the epithelium, loss of stereocilia, the number of narrow cells and apical cells. Though the corpus showed dramatic changes after treatment, cauda epididymidis showed moderate changes.
Nebenhoden-Histoarchitektur unter Cyproteronacetat beim Ziegenbock

Zusammenfassung

In einer kurzen Mitteilung wird auf experimentelle Studien hingewiesen, mit denen der Einfluß von Cyproteronacetat (CPA) auf den Nebenhoden des schwarzen-Bengalen-Zie-genbockes untersucht wurde. Bei einer Behandlung über 70 Tage (2,5 mg/Tag/kg Körperwicht) in Sesamöl konnte eine Abnahme des Nebenhodengewichtes erreicht werden; im Caput zeigte sich ein charakteristischer Rückgang der Höhe des Nebenhodenepithels, ein Verlust der Stereozilien, der Zahl der schmalen Zellen und der apikalen Zellen. Obgleich das Corpus unter der Behandlung einige dramatische Veränderungen zeigte (Rückgang der Höhe der Zellen, Abnahme der Stiftchen-Zellen, keine Spermatozoen im Lumen), ergaben sich im Cauda-Teil nur geringfügige Veränderungen.     

Epididymal cytology changes in hypothyroid rats

The purpose of this research was to investigate, using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscope, the effect of hypothyroidism on the ultrastructure of the rat epididymis. Thyroidectomy was obtained by ip injection of 270 microCi of (131)I per rat. One month later, several portions of cauda epididymis were examined. Morphological differences were detected in the epididymis of the hypothyroid animals when compared to the control normal rats. The hypothyroid conditions were associated with important changes in the epididymis. The light observations showed cells with clearing of the chromatin and increased density and thickness of the chromatic rim, chromatinic net, and disappearance of the segment of the chromatin rim. In the scanning electron microscope broken, oblique, denuded epithelial cells with loss of stereocilia were observed, as well as flattening of the tubule. The hypothyroid condition under transmission electron microscope was associated with a decrease in the height of the cells, diminution of the internal lumen and number of mitoses, and decreased chromatin decondensation. Results obtained confirmed that hypothyroidism causes marked structural changes in the ductus epididymis and could adversely affect the maturation and motility of sperm.     

Histology of the epididymis in men with obstructive infertility

The histology of different regions of human epididymis in men undergoing vasoepididymostomy to correct epididymal obstruction was studied. The data indicate major degenerative changes in intertubular connective tissue and in the epididymal epithelium. These include increase in connective tissue thickness and its infiltration by leucocytes in some cases, decrease in tubular diameter, degeneration and/or vacuolation of cytoplasm of nonciliated cells of efferent duct and principal cells of epididymis and presence of multinucleate giant cells in the epididymal lumen. These histological abnormalities are discussed in relation to the role such epididymis can play in sperm maturation following vasoepididymostomy.     

Epididymal cysts in children: natural history

PURPOSE: We reviewed the outcome of conservative management of epididymal cyst in children at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with epididymal cyst from 1991 to 2002. Age and mode of presentation as well as time to complete involution of the cysts were studied. Diagnosis of epididymal cyst was confirmed by scrotal ultrasound in all cases. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were identified with epididymal cyst. Average patient age at presentation was 10.5 years. Fifteen patients presented with scrotal mass and 4 with scrotal pain. Cysts were between 3 and 30 mm. Only 1 patient required surgical excision due to persistent pain. Epididymal cysts resolved in 10 patients who completed followup. Average time to complete regression was 17 months. None of our patients had a history of exposure to diethylstilbestrol, cryptorchidism, cystic fibrosis or von Hippel-Lindau disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that most epididymal cysts involute with time.     

人精子在附睾中的成熟

精子在人附睾内转运过程中获得使卵子受精的主要功能。这些功能包括 :相对活率、一致的形态、结合透明带的能力、发生顶体反应的能力、与卵黄和致密染色质融合的能力、体内和体外使卵子受精的能力、维持正常胚胎发育的能力等。已经鉴定了许多附睾分泌的糖蛋白 ,它们与特定的精子膜区域结合。这些蛋白可能与促进精 卵作用有关。作为辅助生殖技术的结果 ,取自附睾近端的“未成熟”精子或睾丸生殖细胞启动胚胎发育的能力依赖于精子在附睾内的转运、在女性生殖道中存活、输送直至被卵子包围。     

Epididymal carbohydrate metabolism in experimental hypercorticosteronism: studies on mature male rats

Corticosterone induced changes in serum hormonal profiles and the key enzymes involved in glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways were studied in caput, corpus and cauda epididymides of mature male rats (200–250 g body weight). Corticosterone (3.5 mg/100 g body weight sc. for 20 days) treatment was found to depress serum testosterone and prolactin while the gonadotrophins were unaltered. Enzymes of both the glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways were significantly decreased in caput epididymidis. But in corpus and cauda epididymides only the glycolytic enzymes were reduced. Withdrawal of treatment (for 20 days), resulted in restoration of the glycolytic enzymes to normalcy. The serum hormonal profiles were also found to be within the normal range. The pentose phosphate pathway in caput epididymidis showed a significant increase in enzyme activities following withdrawal of treatment. From the present investigation it is clear that hypercorticosteronism had a definite influence on epididymal enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.     

Epididymal Resorption of Spermatozoa in the Fild Rat (Millardia meltada)

A study has been made of epididymal resorption of spermatozoa in the field rat ( Millardia meltada ). At the height of its reproductive activity, many spermatozoa penetrate the epididymal epithelium and intertubular tissue where they undergo fragmentation and resorption. Sperm disposal is maximum in the cauda epididymidis.

Zusammenfassung

Auf der Höhe ihrer Reproduktionsaktivität dringen bei der Feldratte mehrere Spermatozoen in das Nebenhodenepithel und in das intertubuläre Gewebe ein, wo sie aufgelöst und resorbiert werden. Das Maximum der Spermatozoenbeseitigung liegt im Nebenhodenschwanz.     

Flutamide as an Androgen Antagonist on Epididymal Function in the Rat*

Die Wirkung von Flutamid als Androgenantagonist auf die Nebenhodenfunktion der Ratte Der Sinn dieser Studie war die Untersuchung, ob das Nichtsteroid Flutamid (α-α-α-Trifluor-2-methyl-4′-nitro-m-propionotoluidid) als Androgenantagonist auf den Nebenhoden wirkt. Zum Vergleich wurde Cyproteronacetat unter identischen Versuchsbedingungen ebenfalls untersucht. Die Werte für Glycerylphosphorylcholin (GPC), Sialinsäure und Gesamtphospholipide wurden als Funktionsparameter des Nebenhodens benutzt, zusätzlich wurde das Gewicht der akzessorischen Geschlechtsorgane aufgezeichnet. Ausgewachsene kastrierte männliche Ratten unter Testosterontherapie von 250 μg/Tier i.m. wurden mit Flutamid (25 mg/kg oral) oder Cyproteronacetat (25 mg/kg s.c.) behandelt. Die Kastration verursachte eine Verringerung des Gewichts und der sekretorischen Aktivität der Nebenhoden, die sich unter Testosteron-Substititionstherapie annähernd normalisierte. Der empfindlichste Indikator für die Sekretionsfunktion des Nebenhodens war GPC. Die beiden Antiandrogene hoben die Wirkung von Testosteron in allen akzessorischen Geschlechtsorganen auf. Diese Ergebnisse werden in Zusammenhang mit einer vorangegangenen Studie diskutiert, in welcher der fehlende Effekt von Flutamid auf die Nebenhodenfunktion der gesunden Ratte nachgewiesen wurde.     

人类附睾分泌蛋白的研究进展

附睾管腔中约含200余种分泌蛋白。目前认为精子与附睾分泌蛋白相互作用后才能发育成熟和功能完善。本文综述了近年来在人类附睾中发现的一系列新的分泌蛋白的结构和功能特点,对进一步研究附睾生殖和避孕机制有一定意义。     

Electrophoretic Characterization of Mouse Epididymal Esterases in Inbred Lines and in a Natural Population

Esterase isozymes were studied in mouse epididymis of two inbred strains (C57BL, DBA/2) and in a natural population (Swiss OF1), by using vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining with alpha or beta-naphthyl acetate as a substrate. Eighteen (C57BL), 17 (DBA/2) or 16 (Swiss OF1) epididymal isozymes were separated; four were common to the testis, and five to both the testis and the serum. The use of different inhibitors showed that carboxylesterase activities account for the greater part of the total epididymis non-specific esterase activity. This comparative study revealed minor interspecies variations since only two isozymes were not expressed in the same manner in the three populations examined. Among the nine isozymes which appeared solely in the epididymis, the profiles varied between tissues and fluids as well as between the proximal part in which sperm maturation occurs and the distal part where sperm storage takes place. The variations proceeded from the relative activity of isozymes and the presence or absence of some of them; two characterized the proximal part and one the distal part in the three species. By comparing testis and epididymal tissues and fluids, it is suggested that the isozymes found in epididymal fluids originated from the testis, the epididymal epithelium or both. In addition to this epididymal secretory function, the lack in the fluid of the distal part of one isozyme identified in the testis, and two in the proximal part may also provide evidence for its reabsorptive function.     

Epididymal growth and differentiation are altered in human cryptorchidism

Despite the knowledge and histological classification of testicular lesions, epididymal lesions associated with cryptorchidism are not well defined and only macroscopic alterations have been reported. We have evaluated the alterations in the growth of both the epithelium and muscular wall of efferent ducts and epididymis in human patients with cryptorchidism from infancy to adulthood. In addition, by cytokeratin immunostaining we have also evaluated the stage of differentiation of each segment along the human postnatal life in these patients. A decrease is shown in the size of efferent and epididymal ducts in cryptorchid children compared with normal, age-matched controls. The height of the epithelium, muscular wall, and lumen of the cryptorchid epididymis were reduced at every age studied. This decrease in all regions was seen even in the testicular quiescent period (1 to 4 years of age). In addition, the cryptorchid epididymis grows more slowly during the transition to the pubertal period. The smaller size of the cryptorchid epididymis in pubertal and adult men compared with that of normal men is due primarily to underdevelopment of the muscular wall and a reduction in epithelial height. The pattern of growth of cryptorchid efferent ducts and ductus epididymides parallels that in normal men, except that development of the lumen and muscular layer in the cauda epididymis region are delayed. Epithelial differentiation, monitored by cytokeratin expression, is minimal in efferent ducts and throughout the epididymis of the cryptorchid male, and this is already seen in children. In conclusion, our immunohistochemical and morphometric results show a reduced development of the human cryptorchid epididymis that is already evident in childhood. They indicate that cryptorchidism is a primary congenital illness of the testis and spermatic ducts, with evident lesions from the first years of life, and suggest that surgical descent would probably not be able to completely reverse these alterations.     

Epididymal markers in rats exposed to the xenoestrogen p-nonylphenol: no biochemical effects at low dosages

Harmful micro- and macroscopic effects of the environmental xenoestrogen p-nonylphenol (p-NP) on the male rat reproductive system have been previously reported. In our study, biochemical evidence of epididymal involvement was sought by determining epididymal marker values after exposure at levels below (5, 20 and 50 mg kg-1) and above (100, 250 and 400 mg kg-1) the "no observed adverse effect" level (NOAEL: 50 mg kg-1 day-1). Exposure to p-NL below the NOAEL did not affect biochemical marker values. At levels above the NOAEL, biochemical markers of epididymal function were affected by the exposure of adults, and by maternal exposure (gestational and lactational periods followed by oral exposure until sexual maturity). l-carnitine was unchanged at all levels of exposure. Exposure of adult males to levels above the NOAEL resulted in higher alpha-glucosidase, suggesting increased epididymal secretory activity. This could upset the balance between secretory and reabsorptive function, and could alter the biochemical composition of the epididymal luminal fluid surrounding spermatocytes during the maturation process. Maternal exposure at levels above the NOAEL resulted in higher tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in the caput-corpus epididymidis, which could indicate an oestrogen-mimicking effect.     

Zinc Content in Epididymal Spermatozoa of Metoclopramide-Treated Rats

Zinc content was determined separately in spermatozoa taken from epididymal caput and cauda in rats. It was revealed that spermatozoa transported from the epididymal caput to the cauda reduce about 54% of zinc. This reduction is significantly inhibited in spermatozoa of rats receiving metoclopramide. That is also accompanied by a fall of testosterone level in blood serum and of delta 5, 3 beta-HSD activity in Leydig cells. It was found out that the reduction of zinc in spermatozoa at the time of their passage through the epididymis is the process that depends on androgens.     

Epididymal leiomyoma: a benign intrascrotal tumour

Physicians will be rarely confronted with epididymal tumours. These represent only 5% of intrascrotal tumours and are mostly (75%) benign. We report the case of a 50‐year‐old white male who was presented with a 5‐year history of a slow‐growing, left scrotal mass, noted through self‐examination. Ultrasound study of the scrotum identified a well‐circumscribed paratesticular mass. On inguinal surgical exploration, a solid, encapsulated, grey‐white mass at the tail of the left epididymis was identified and excised, with intra‐operative pathological consultation showing no signs of malignancy. The diagnosis of an epididymal leiomyoma was determined through subsequent immune‐histopathological analysis. Diagnostic steps preceding operative exploration of a paratesticular, epididymal tumour are briefly analysed and physicians are encouraged to avoid a radical approach, without prior pathological consultation. Epididymal leiomyomas are benign tumours that can be cured through simple, organ‐preserving surgical excision.     

附睾氧化应激研究进展

附睾是男性生殖系统的重要器官之一,负责精子的成熟、转运和储存。附睾功能的实现依赖于其旺盛的生理活性,因而自由基的产生不可避免。自由基过度积累势必造成附睾氧化应激,精子质膜及其DNA发生氧化损伤,极大影响精子运动和受精能力的获得,从而造成男性不育。本文对附睾氧化应激在能量代谢、炎症反应等过程中的产生机制和超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶、吲哚胺双加氧酶、还原性谷胱甘肽及硫氧还蛋白等物质的抗氧化作用进行了综述,以期为男性不育症的有效预防、诊断和治疗提供新思路。