水通道蛋白-4在大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达

目的 观察水通道蛋白-4（AQP4）在雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾的表达及分布特点,为探讨水通道蛋白在睾丸和附睾中的作用提供形态学基础。方法 采用免疫组织化学的方法,检测AQP4在睾丸和附睾的表达分布。结果 AQP4在睾丸中表达于各级生精细胞、支持细胞以及间质细胞中;在附睾管内表达于柱状上皮细胞,且腔面表达更明显。结论 AQP4可能参与了精子的生成及成熟过程,在激素的分泌调节中发挥作用。     

Immunolocalization of G Protein‐Coupled Estrogen Receptor in the Pig Epididymis

The presence of estrogen in the genital ducts of different mammalian species has been extensively studied and the estrogen influence on the functional activity of the male genital tract has been hypothesized. Conversely, very few data have been reported on pig excurrent ducts: the localization of classical estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) is scarcely known, while the expression of the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPER1), a membrane estrogen receptor, is still unknown in pig. The aim of the present study was to evaluate GPER1 expression in the different regions of the mature pig epididymis, using immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT‐PCR analyses. The results showed that GPER1 is mainly expressed in the epithelial cells of the corpus epididymis compared to the caput and the cauda, while muscle cells are moderately immunostained and stromal cells are unstained. The presence of GPER1 was confirmed by Western blot and RT‐PCR analyses. In our study, we have demonstrated for the first time the GPER1 expression in male porcine epididymis, revealing a new mediator of estrogen signaling at this site. In conclusion, these new data suggest that estrogen action via GPER1 may contribute to sperm maturation in the corpus and sperm protection/storage in the cauda. Interestingly, the presence of GPER1 in the muscle layer may be indicative of a possible GPER1 involvement in the estrogen regulation of duct contractility. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Refractoriness of the Immature Rat Epididymis to the Early Cadmium Lesion

Ninety minutes after ip injection of 3 μmol of cadmium chloride/100 g body weight into immature, 15-day-old rats, the endothelial intercellular junctions of the caput epididymis capillaries showed none of the lesions such as loss of junctional associated ectoplasmic microfilaments, separation of interdigitated leaflets, disassembling of interendothelial tight junctions, passage of blood plasma and cells into the pericapillary space, platelet clumping and disintegration, and intracapillary clotting, which after the same dose are found in sexually mature rat epididymides. The resistance of the immature, physiologically intraabdominal epididymal capillary endothelium reminds one of the protection against cadmium that is brought about by surgical cryptorchidism in adult mature rats. We suggest that either local enzyme immaturity or the abdominal temperature (5C higher than scrotal temperature) May-June protect zinc enzymes against displacement by cadmium.     

A Study of Effect of Progesterone on Epididymis in Albino Rats

Progesterone, an anti androgen compound that recently receiving attention for potential use as male contraceptive and for other medical purposes, such as treatment of prostate diseases. In the present study adult male albino rats were administered the progesterone for 15 &; 30 days and the histology and fine structures of the epididymis were studied. After treatments for 15 and 30 days sperms were found to greatly reduce in number from lumen of caput epididymis, middle segment and cauda epididymis, of severely affected specimen. The epithelium was tall and the light cells were large and distended with many dense bodies resembling lysosome (Loving &; Flickinger 1976)1. The lumen was filled with scanty sperm and debris, which appears to be derived from germ cells. It is suggested that the light cells of epididymal epithelium may have a role in clearing the lumen in which they are particularly large and numerous.The aim of present study is to determine the effect of progesterone on the structure of target cells of epididymis normally stimulated by androgens and further correlate the findings in light of previous studies, to draw the significant conclusion. The study showed that the progesterone have intense inhibitory effect on the epididymis. The degenerative histological findings are found in form of reduce number of spermatozoa, debris of cell mass &; reduce epithelial cells height. These changes may have an important role in the anti fertility effect of progesterone.     

Effects of Transdermal Estrogen Therapy on Expressions of Estrogen Receptors and T-lymphocyte Apoptosis in Surgically Menopausal Women

Studies have demonstrated estrogen replacement therapy can improve the life quality of surgically menopausal women. However, the mechanisms in this process remain poorly defined. Here we show the effect of transdermal estrogen therapy on expressions of estrogen receptors and T-lymphocyte apoptosis in surgically postmenopausal women. Fifteen surgically menopausal women, 15 naturally menopausal women and 15 young women were chosen in our studies. Peripheral vein blood was collected and serum E2 and FSH levels were assessed using ACCESS. T-lymphocyte apoptosis and the expressions of Fas, FasL and ER subtypes α and β were determined. The serum E2 levels of surgically menopausal woman were significantly higher, and the ＂Improved Kupperman Index＂ and the scores of ＂Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire＂ in surgically menopausal women were significantly low after ERT. The rates of T-lymphocyte apoptosis and FasL expression in surgically menopausal women were decreased after ERT, but the difference was not significant. The expressions of ERa and ERβ in two menopausal groups were significantly lower than those of the young group. They were both significantly up-regulated after 3 months of ERT. Transdermal ERT could significantly upregulate the serum E2 level, could improve menopausal symptoms and life quality of surgically menopausal women and upregulate ERa and ERβ expressions on T lymphocytes, especially ERp. Thus, the low dose of transdermal ERT may have a protective effect on menopausal women＇s immune function and aging.     

雌激素通过调节细胞因子治疗骨质疏松症的机理

绝经后骨质疏松（ｐｏｓｔｍｅｎｏｐａｕｓａｌｏｓｔｅｏｐｏｒｏｓｉｓ）是由于手术或自然绝经后雌激素低落引起的骨质疏松。在绝经后最初５～１０年内雌激素的缺乏而引起骨吸收增加导致骨量丢失增多是主要的病理因素，其特征是全身的骨量减少及骨组织微结构改变致骨...     

Mouse Sperm Rosette: Assembling During Epididymal Transit,in vitro Disassemble,and Oligosaccharide Participation in the Linkage Material

In many mammals, sperm associations had been observed, but not in the mouse. In this work, mouse sperm rosettes are morphologically described inside the epididymis and during its dissolution in a culture medium. Also characterized are the saccharides present in the linking material. Sperm association and other epididymal actions are supported by sperm during epididymal transit and are verified at the caudal region, suggesting a relation between epididymal transit and sperm maturation. In drops of epididymal content obtained from distal (cauda), but not from proximal (caput and corpus) regions; dissolved in culture medium, rosettes appear to be 10 to 15 motile sperm joined by their heads. After 3 min, sperm progressively detach, disassembling the rosette. These structures are studied by several techniques, including optic, electronic (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), and video microscopy. At the ultrastructural level, a dense network of electron‐dense material was observed between sperm heads, joining them. Based on previous works in rat, several lectins were used to characterize the type of saccharides present in this linking material. To avoid the contact between sperm and epididymal fluid from distal region—that probably exerts an influence on sperm association—a ligature was placed between caput and corpus. This epididymal content isolated from caput did not display any rosettes after 28 days. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The Expression of Wnt4 Is Regulated by Estrogen via an Estrogen Receptor Alpha-dependent Pathway in Rat Pituitary Growth Hormone-producing Cells

Wnt signaling is important in many aspects of cell biology and development. In the mouse female reproductive tract, Wnt4, Wnt5a, and Wnt7a show differential expression during the estrus cycle, suggesting that they participate in female reproductive physiology. Although the pituitary is a major gland regulating reproduction, the molecular mechanism of Wnt signaling here is unclear. We elucidated the subcellular distribution of Wnt4 in the pituitary of estrogen-treated ovariectomized female rats. Expression of Wnt4 mRNA increased dramatically, particularly in proestrus compared with estrus and metestrus. Wnt4 protein was observed in the cytoplasm of almost all growth hormone (GH)-producing cells and in only a few thyroid-stimulating hormone β (TSHβ)-producing cells. In rat GH-producing pituitary tumor (MtT/S) cells, estrogen-induced expression of Wnt4 mRNA was completely inhibited by estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 in vitro. Thus, rat pituitary GH cells synthesize Wnt4 and this is induced by estrogen mediated via an estrogen receptor alpha-dependent pathway.     

实验性隐睾术后大鼠附睾酶活性的观察

研究实验性隐睾术后大鼠附睾的 AKP、ACP和 SDH活性的动态变化。结果表明 :1由于正常附睾管头段与尾段的差别 ,使隐睾术后附睾管头段与尾段 AKP活性的差异性 ,这种差异说明隐睾后附睾管在物质代谢和功能上的不同 ;2 ACP活性在头段附睾管上皮呈强阳性反应 ,而尾段在术后 1～ 10天较正常增强 ,呈强阳性 ,自 15天始逐渐减弱 ,说明术后早期上皮细胞的功能活动增强显著 ;3 SDH活性 ,在术后 1～ 2天附睾管头段上皮中稍增强 ,第 3天始恢复正常 ,尾段管上皮活性变化不明显     

Leptin and Its Receptor Are Expressed in the Testis and in the Epididymis of Young and Adult Pigs

Recent studies indicated that leptin, a 16 kDa hormone, is a regulatory signal in human and rodent male reproduction. This work was designed to investigate the expression of leptin and its receptor in testes and epididymides from immature and mature pigs. Immunolocalization revealed that leptin and its receptor were confined only in the interstitial compartment of immature testes, whereas both proteins were detected in Leydig cells and within seminiferous tubules of mature gonads. The immunostaining of epididymal tissues showed that leptin was absent in the epithelial cells of immature pigs but it was present in all the three regions of mature epididymides, although with a minor signal in the cauda. Conversely, leptin receptor was observed in all the epithelial cells of both immature and mature epididymides. Western blot analysis of tissue extracts detected a 16 kDa band for leptin and five / six isoforms, ranging from 120 to 40 kDa, for leptin receptor. In conclusion, this work has identified, for the first time, leptin and leptin receptor in the testis and in the epididymis of the pig showing a differential cell‐type expression pattern of the two proteins in young and adult animals. Therefore, our findings suggest a possible involvement of leptin in endocrine or autocrine / paracrine control of porcine male reproductive structures. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The status and the state of the human epididymis

As far as can be determined now, the general organization ofthe human epididymis, the regional character of its epitheliumand luminal environment, and the maturation changes that spermatozoaundergo there are quite similar in many respects in both animalsand man. None the less, the outcomes of some clinical proceduresaimed at overcoming duct obstruction (high epididymovasostomyor micro-aspiration of some fertile spermatozoa from the caputor vasa efferentia) suggest a flexibility in the sperm/epididymalrelationship that may cast an element of doubt as to the essentialplace of the epididymis in the chain of human conception. Whilesuch clinical results make it difficult yet to be quite surethat the epididymis has the same essential sperm maturationrole in man that it does in the few animals tested, they raiseintriguing questions as to the potential ability of the humanvas deferens, and even the vasa efferentia, to contribute inthat respect. The human epididymis possesses other traits whichcollectively seem to resemble the suppressive effects of subjectinganimal epididymides to body temperature. In that regard, itis a real possibility that the elevation of scrotal temperatureimposed by clothing may be affecting in an adverse manner severalaspects of epididymal function, especially those concerned withthe storage and viability of spermatozoa, and thereby the qualityof the ejaculate.     

一氧化氮合酶在大鼠附睾内的表达及其可能的作用

目的　为了阐明一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)在附睾内的表达 ,同时探讨NO在男性生殖功能中的作用。方法　本研究采用正常大鼠附睾组织 ,用免疫组织化学ABC法研究两种NOS(iNOS、eNOS)的表达。结果　在附睾上皮细胞内eNOS及iNOS均为免疫反应阳性 ,其中eNOS表达强 ,iNOS表达较强 ,血管内皮及平滑肌细胞内仅为eNOS免疫反应阳性 ,附睾间质中仅iNOS为免疫反应阳性。结论　两种NOS在附睾内均有不同程度的表达 ,各有特定的分布区域 ,提示NOS与附睾的功能密切相关     

剥夺卵巢雌激素对成年大鼠基底前脑神经元表达Nestin的影响

目的 探讨剥夺卵巢雌激素对成年大鼠基底前脑神经元表达Ｎｅｓｔｉｎ的影响。方法 将健康成年雌性大鼠随机分为正常对照、卵巢切除２周及４周三组,用免疫组化法观察卵巢切除后基底前脑的内侧隔核（ＭＳ）、斜角带垂直支（ｖＤＢ）及水平支（ｂＤＢ）Ｎｅｓｔｉｎ免疫反应阳性（Ｎｅｓｔｉｎ－ＩＲ） 神经元的形态和数目变化。结果 卵巢切除２周、４周组ＭＳ、ｖＤＢ及ｈＤＢ的Ｎｅｓｈｎ－ＩＲ神经元形态与正常对照组相比无明显变化;但卵巢切除２周、４周组ＭＳ、ｖＤＢ及ｈＤＢ的 Ｎｅｓｔｉｎ－ＩＲ神经元的数目与正常对照组相比均有不同程度的减少,尤以ｈＤＢ的减少最明显（Ｐ＜０．０１,Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论 提示基底前脑Ｎｅｓｔｉｎ－ＩＲ神经元的Ｎｅｓｈｎ表达受卵巢雌激素的影响,ｈＤＢ的Ｎｅｓｈｎ－ＩＲ神经元的表达受此影响更大。     

103例乳腺癌组织学与雌激素受体的研究

应用生物素抗生物素过氧化酶法对103例乳腺癌石蜡切片进行雌激素受体检测,结果发现雌激素受体阳性率在导管内癌中较高,占71%,而在浸润性导管癌、髓样癌中较低,分别占57%、29%。分析了雌激素受体和组织类型关系,探讨了它和组织分级及核分级之间的联系。雌激素受体阳性率随组织分级升高而降低,随核的分级升高而增加。说明乳腺癌组织分化好,雌激素受体表达倾向阳性,而分化低的肿瘤,雌激素受体表达倾向阴性。雌激素受体阳性患者比阴性患者复发率低,存活时间长,预后好,其检测有助于判断患者预后,安排合理的治疗方案,提高治愈率。     

血清中人附睾上皮分泌蛋白4的测定与卵巢上皮性肿瘤患者临床病理特征的关系

为探讨卵巢上皮性肿瘤患者血清人附睾上皮分泌蛋白4（HE4）水平的变化,以及与临床病理特征的关系,采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测21例良性卵巢上皮肿瘤患者、12例交界性卵巢上皮肿瘤患者和49例卵巢癌患者血清HE4水平,并分析其水平与临床病理特征的关系。卵巢癌组血清HE4水平（中位数123.00pmol/L）明显高于交界性卵巢上皮肿瘤组（中位数41.20pmol/L）和良性卵巢上皮肿瘤组（中位数32.80pmol/L）;血清HE4水平与卵巢上皮性癌患者是否绝经、年龄及有无淋巴结转移无关（P〉0.05）,而与患者的临床FIGO分期（Ⅰ＋Ⅱ、Ⅲ＋Ⅳ）、病理组织学类型及有无腹水有关（P〈0.05）,浆液性癌（中位数198.50pmol/L）和子宫内膜样癌患者的血清HE4水平（中位数139.25pmol/L）明显高于黏液性癌患者（中位数30.95pmol/L）（U值分别为17.00和2.00,P〈0.01）。血清HE4水平与卵巢上皮性癌临床病理特征密切相关,并有望成为卵巢上皮性肿瘤恶变的标志物。     

Degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium following epididymal obstruction in prepubertal rats

The development of the testes was studied in rats following prepubertal obstruction of the epididymis. Male rats received bilateral ligation of the corpus epididymidis or a sham operation at 10 days of age, and temporal changes in testicular morphology and weights of reproductive organs were determined at intervals spanning sexual maturation. Development of the testes was normal through 35 days of age. The initial histological changes in the testes of ligated animals, observed at 56 days, included an increased diameter of the seminiferous tubule lumen, depletion of spermatids, and the presence of multinucleate spermatids. Subsequently, germ cells were greatly depleted in the testes of 91‐ and 128‐day‐old rats with ligated epididymides. After puberty, testicular weight and volume declined relative to corresponding sham‐operated animals. On the other hand, the weights of the epididymides in ligated animals prior to puberty significantly exceeded those of sham‐operated rats but weighed significantly less than those of rats in the sham group after sexual maturation. Testicular alterations occurred after increases in the weights of the epididymides. Testicular changes may have contributed to rather than resulted from an autoimmune response to spermatozoa because testicular alterations preceded increases in antisperm autoantibodies. Anat Rec 254:76–86, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Distribution of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in the human male reproductive tract: prevalence in men with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Diabetics have a significantly higher percentage of sperm with nuclear DNA (nDNA) fragmentation and increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), in their testis, epididymis and sperm. As the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is important to oxidative stress and cell dysfunction, we hypothesise, that it may be involved in sperm nDNA damage. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the presence of RAGE in the human testis and epididymis. A comparison of the receptor's incidence and localization on sperm from 10 diabetic and 11 non-diabetic men was conducted by blind semi-quantitative assessment of the immunostaining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis ascertained RAGE levels in seminal plasma and sperm from 21 diabetic and 31 non-diabetic subjects. Dual labelling immunolocalization was employed to evaluate RAGE's precise location on the sperm head. RESULTS: RAGE was found throughout the testis, caput epididymis, particularly the principle cells apical region, and on sperm acrosomes. The number of sperm displaying RAGE and the overall protein amount found in sperm and seminal plasma were significantly higher in samples from diabetic men (P < 0.01, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of RAGE implies that it may play a central role in sperm nDNA damage particularly in diabetic men where the levels are elevated.     

人附睾蛋白4在诊断卵巢癌中的临床意义

目的：探讨卵巢癌患者人附睾蛋白4（human epididymis protein4,HE4）的临床意义。方法：用ELISA测定82例卵巢癌患者血清HE4水平,同时应用RIA检测CA125水平,与143例卵巢良性病变患者和40例健康人进行对照比较,评估诊断试验的敏感性、特异性,绘制ROC曲线。结果：HE4对卵巢癌的诊断敏感性82.9%（68/82）,特异性94.54%（173/183）,均高于CA125;HE4的ROC曲线下面积最大（面积：0.949;95%可信区间0.915-0.982）,临床诊断效能优于CA125;HE4与CA125联检针对卵巢癌诊断的敏感性和特异性之和最大。结论：HE4针对卵巢癌诊断显示了较高的敏感性和特异性,可望成为一个新的卵巢癌辅助诊断指标。     

Estrogen receptor alpha is expressed on the cell-surface of embryonic hypothalamic neurons

Although the biological activity of estrogen is generally mediated through nuclear estrogen receptors, a large body of evidence indicates that estrogen may also affect target cells upon binding to putative membrane estrogen receptors (mER) coupled to intracellular signaling cascades; however, no agreement has been reached on the nature and precise location of the putative estrogen receptor (ER) responsible for these rapid effects. In the present report we show that the expression of ERalpha is associated with the plasma membrane fraction of rat hypothalamic tissue at embryonic day 16. Moreover, our experiments extend these results to rat hypothalamic neurons in vitro showing that ERalpha can be detected from the cell exterior as a biotinylated cell-surface protein. We have also shown that the mERalpha is under regulation of estradiol, and the ERalpha agonist, 4,4',4'-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol, induced extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling in a dose-dependent manner and in a time-course not compatible with genomic actions, supporting the notion of a membrane-initiated phenomenon.     

The glycocalyx of the sperm surface.

The surface of mammalian spermatozoa is covered by a dense coating of carbohydrate-rich molecules forming a 20-60 nm thick glycocalyx. The majority of sugar residues are attached to proteins which are either integrated within the sperm membrane, or are more or less loosely associated with it. It is estimated that there may be several hundred different glycoproteins comprising the glycocalyx, some of which are synthesized within the testis. Others, however, are produced by the epithelia of the efferent ducts, epididymis and possibly other accessory glands, and become associated with the spermatozoa post-testicularly during transit through, and storage in, the male tract. The acquisition of the mature glycocalyx is associated with the attainment of full sperm fertilizing ability. Until its complete molecular structure is elucidated, the complex function of the glycocalyx remains obscure, though it may be related to membrane maturation and immunoprotection in the female tract, as well as to sperm-zona binding and fertilization.