Physiologie de la Barrière Sang-Testicule

There is evidence for the existence of a barrier between the blood and the lumina of the seminiferous tubules, from the uneven coloration of the testis after injection of some dyes, from the distribution of some radioactive markers, from the composition of the fluids from the rete testis and the seminiferous tubules, from the rate of penetration of various substances into these fluids, and from the presence of specialized junctions between the Sertoli cells, which block the penetration of lanthanum and other electron-opaque markers into the tubules. This barrier develops only at the time of puberty. However, the endothelial cells in the testis share certain characteristics with the endothelial cells of the brain, which form the blood-brain barrier. Also, the peritubular tissue has a specific transport system for urea, and these two tissues may also regulate the entry of substances into the testis. The barrier remains effective in some circumstances where spermatogenesis is disrupted, but it is less effective outside the breeding season in seasonal breeders. There are also some treatments which break down the barrier and disrupt spermatogenesis. Spermatogonia injected into the rete must pass through the barrier to re-establish spermatogenesis in infertile testes, but leukaemic cells injected into the rete can also pass from the lumen of the tubules into the interstitium, where the disease then recurs.     

Aspects ultrastructuraux de la glande mammaire de lapine pendant la lactogénèse

Résumé L'évolution de l'ultrastructure de la cellule épithéliale mammaire de la Lapine est décrite au cours de:L'apparition des phénomènes sécrétoires qui prennent place normalement pendant le premier tiers de la gestation des Lapines primipares.La lactogénèse expérimentale produite par des injections de prolactine à des Lapines pseudo-gestantes.L'ultrastructure de la cellule mammaire de Lapine en sécrétion active (lactation) se distingue de celle des cellules inactives pour la sécrétion (début de la gestation et pseudogestation) par: le développement considérable de l'ergastoplasme organisé en lamelles parallèles ou concentriques; l'hypertrophie de l'appareil de Golgi; la présence de granules protéiques inclus dans des vacuoles d'origine golgienne au sein d'un cytoplasme hypertrophié, celle des gouttelettes lipidiques étant moins indicatrice d'un état d'activité sécrétoire.L'induction de la sécrétion lactée au cours de la gestation normale ou à la suite de l'injection de prolactine, conduit à des modifications ultrastructurales de la cellule mammaire qui se caractérisent principalement par le développement progressif des systèmes membranaires ergastoplasmiques, qui est déjà net entre 12 et 24 heures et aboutit le 3e jour de l'administration hormonale à des images se rapprochant de celles d'une cellule de glande mammaire en lactation. La formation d'un important réticulum endoplasmique auquel est liée la majorité des ribosomes, ainsi que le développement des citernes et vacuoles golgiennes, paraissent ainsi sous le contrôle de la prolactine. Nous discutons enfin de la signification de l'existence transitoire dans les premiers stades de la lactogénèse d'une organisation vacuolaire de l'ergastoplasme.

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Ultrastructural aspects of the rabbit mammary gland during lactogenesis

Summary The ultrastructural development of the rabbit epithelial mammary gland cell is described during:The appearance of secretory phenomena usually occuring in primiparous rabbits in the last third of pregnancy.Experimental lactogenesis induced by injecting pseudopregnant rabbits with prolactin.The ultrastructure of the active secretory (lactating) rabbit mammary gland cell is distinguished from that of inactive epithelial cells (beginning of pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy) by: a considerable development of the ergastoplasm organized in parallel or concentric lamellae; hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus; the presence of protein granules included in vacuoles of Golgian origin in the middle of hypertrophied cytoplasm. The presence of lipid droplets is less indicative of an active secretory state.The induction of milk secretion during normal gestation or after a prolactin injection produces ultrastructural modifications in the mammary gland cell which are characterized by progressive development of the ergastoplasmic membrane system. This transformation becomes evident between 12–24 hours and on the third day of hormonal administration resembles that of the lactating mammary gland. The formation of a large endoplasmic reticulum to which the majority of ribosomes are bound and the development of cisterns and Golgi vacuoles appear under the influence of prolactin. The signification of the temporary existence, during the early stage of lactogenesis, of a vacuolar ergastoplasmic organization, is discussed.

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Les tirages photographiques sont dus à Messieurs Scandolo et Amar que nous remercions vivement.     

Apports de la palynologie a la connaissance du Pliocène du Roussillon (sud de la France)

The present study illustrates clearly how pollen analysis may be applied to stratigraphy from a botanical point of view. Within a chronologically reliable frame (Middle Pliocene for the marine deposits on the basis of Foraminifera record; two subzones for continental deposits on the basis of Mammals record: Hautimagne for Terrats fauna, Sète for Serrat-d'en-Vacquer fauna), palynology provides a good stratigraphical boundary: the extinction of the Taxodiaceae. In a remblayage area, it is established that a continental level is not necessarily younger than a marine one unless they are superposed. Many profiles are replaced according to the «progradation of the pliocene gulf of Roussillon. The boundary between marine and continental deposits cuts through the chronological line of the Taxodiaceae extinction. The flora investigated (93 taxa) is the first known for the Pliocene of this area. The extinction of the Taxodiaceae in southern France has a climatic cause: the setting in of a mediterranean rhythm (dry summers). This extinction is much older than the one which took place in Italy (Tiberian boundary) and in the Netherlands (Reuverian-Pretiglian boundary).     

Synthèse d'ARN dans le chondriome au cours de la spermiogenèse chez la Drosophile

Résumé L'incorporation d'uridine-³H dans l'ARN nucléaire et dans l'ARN mitochondrial est détectée à l'aide de l'autoradiographie à haute résolution au cours de la spermiogenèse chez la Drosophile.Le marquage apparaît simultanément sur le noyau et sur le chondriome jusqu'au début de la condensation de la chromatine. Le nebenkern, qui caractérise un des premiers stades de la spermiogenèse, est le territoire cellulaire le plus radioactif. La synthèse de l'ARN nucléaire cesse au cours de la condensation de la chromatine. Pendant ce temps, le marquage des dérivés mitochondriaux se poursuit; il persiste jusqu'à leur complète transformation en paracristal. Ces observations mettent en évidence une synthèse autonome d'ARN par les mitochondries à la fin de la spermiogenèse.

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Autonomous mitochondrial RNA synthesis during spermiogenesis in Drosophila

Summary The incorporation of ³H-uridine into nuclear and mitochondrial RNA has been followed by electron microscope autoradiography during spermiogenesis in Drosophila.Nuclei and mitochondria are simultaneously labeled up to the beginning of the chromatin condensation. The nebenkern, characteristic of the first stages of spermiogenesis, is the most radioactive cellular component. During chromatin condensation, nuclear RNA synthesis ceases, but mitochondrial derivatives continue to be significantly labeled up to their complete paracrystalline transformation. These data show an autonomous RNA synthesis by mitochondria at the end of spermiogenesis.

Ce travail a bénéficié de l'aide du C.N.R.S. (E.R.A. 174), de la D.R.M.E. (contrat 70/414) et du C.E.A. (participation à l'achat de molécules marquées).     

Etude de la Faune submicroscopique de quelques tourbières à sphagnum

Sans résumé     

Facteurs impliqués dans le remodelage de la chromatine au cours de la spermiogenèse

Round spermatids are post-meiotic cells with a haploid genome contained in a nucleus, with a structure initially similar to that of the somatic cell nucleus. During spermatogenesis, the spermatid nucleus undergoes drastic remodelling during which it first elongates and then condenses into the very specific and tightly packaged structure of the sperm nucleus. During this remodelling dthe histones are replaced by transition proteins, which, in turn, are replaced by protamines, the specific nuclear proteins of the spermatozoa. Immediately prior to their replacement, the histones are hyperacetylated. The first part of our work was to precisely characterise the changes in histone acetylation during murine spermatogenesis. We have shown that the core histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 are hyperacetylated in the elongating spermatids. We have also shown that these changes in acetylation are associated with degradation of the enzymes responsible for histone deacetylation, histone deacetylases or HDACs, while histone acetyl transferases are still present in these cells. The histone acetylation pattern was also investigated during human spermatogenesis, revealing that histone hyperacetylation in the nucleus of elongating spermatids, which appears to be conserved during the course of evolution, also occurs during human spermatogenesis. Moreover, our data obtained from the testes of men with severely altered spermatogenesis, including SCO syndromes (Sertoli Cells Only Syndromes), show that a global hyperacetylation of the Sertoli cell nuclei is associated with an absence of meiotic and post-meiotic cells. This suggests that the global histone acetylation variations observed during spermatogenesis are part of a signalling pathway involving germ cell — Sertoli cell communication. Altogether, these data provide a basis for a better understanding of the mechanisms and identification of the factors involved in post-meiotic remodelling of chromatin.     

Rétablissement du cytoplasme et de la force motrice au cours de la restauration de la cyclose chezNitella après irradiation

Résumé En irradiant (500 kR) une fraction seulement du volume cellulaire de la cellule internodale deNitella, il est possible de distinguer au cours des phénomènes de restauration du mouvement cytoplasmique ceux qui dépendent de Pendoplasme (observation de la cyclose dans la zone protégée) et ceux qui dépendent de l'ectoplasme siège de la force motrice (observation de la cyclose dans la zone irradiée).Dans la zone protégée, la vitesse de la fraction endoplasmique irradiée se rétablit en fonction du temps suivant une équation du second ordre. L'augmentation du volume irradié diminue la rapidité du premier des deux processus de restauration et la quantité d'endoplasme qui reste altérée s'accroît.Dans la zone irradiée, le courant cytoplasmique est suspendu; il ne reprend que 4 minutes après le traitement alors que la couche chloroplastique se réorganise. Le glissement des inclusions qu'il charrie se fait un certain temps par saccades. La vitesse de la fraction endoplasmique protégée y augmente régulièrement témoignant ainsi du rétablissement de la force motrice. Le rétablissement a lieu suivant un schéma analogue à celui de Pendoplasme irradié sauf que ce phénomène y est plus rapide et que la force motrice du moins pendant les premières heures se rétablit intégralement. Ces résultats sont discutés (rôle des groupes SH, effet indirect d'empoisonnement, nature des lésions) et comparés à ceux obtenus pour des cellules irradiées in toto.

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Cytoplasm and motive force separated recovery during the re-establishment of the gyclosis in irradiatedNitella cells

Summary In these experiments onNitella internodal cells, only a fraction of the cellular volume is irradiated (by 500 kR). The restoring of the endoplasm (by measurement of the cyclosis in the shielded zone) and the restoring of the ectoplasm where the motive force is generated (by measurement of the cyclosis in the irradiated zone) can be examinated separately during the recovery of the cytoplasmic streaming.In the shielded zone, the plot on a semi-logarithmic scale of a typical rate of streaming-time curve shows that the speed of the irradiated endoplasm. increases again according to a second order equation. With increasing irradiated cellular volume, there are a gradual slowing down of the first processus of restauration and an increase of the definitively altered fraction of the endoplasm.In the irradiated zone, the cytoplasmic streaming stopped completely. About 4 minutes after the treatment, when the chloroplasts layer is reorganising, it exhibits a tendency to flow again. The carried inclusions slide then in jerks during several minutes. The rate of the protected fraction of the endoplasm increases regularly, proving the recovery of the motive force. An analysis of this processus versus time shows that it can be exprimed by a second order equation as that of the irradiated endoplasm. But it is faster and the motive force resumes until full recovery (at least during the first hours).These results are discussed (importance of SH-groups, indirect poisoning effect, kind of lesions) and compared with those observed in completely irradiated cells.

     

Étude de la décomposition de la matière organique dans le sol au moyen de carbone radioactif

Conclusions Par l'emploi de substrats radioactifs, il a été possible de montrer que le glucose, le ray-grass tel quel, la fraction soluble, les hemicelluloses et la fraction cellulosique du ray-grass ne sont pas, dans les conditions expérimentales appliquées, entièrement transformés en CO₂ dans le sol après une période de deux mois.La décomposition du glucose est plus rapide que celle des hemicelluloses et celle-ci est plus rapide que celle de la fraction cellulosique. Pour le glucose et pour la fraction cellulosique, 11% et 15% respectivement ne se retrouvent pas sous forme de C¹⁴O₂ tandis que pour la fraction soluble, pour les hemicelluloses et pour le ray-grass tel quel, c'est près de 20% qui ne sont pas oxydés en CO₂.La décomposition de chacun de ces substrats radioactifs donne encore lieu à la production de produits organiques radioactifs que l'on trouve dans la fraction des substances solubles, dans la fraction groupant l'- et le -humus et dans l'humine. La radioactivité de cette dernière fraction est du même ordre de grandeur que la somme des deux autres fractions.Travail effectué sous les auspices de l'Institut pour l'Encouragement de la Recherche Scientifique dans l'Industrie et l'Agriculture (I.R.S.I.A.).     

Altérations de la spermiogenèse de Locusta migratoria migratorioïdes après implantation de corps allates et après irradiation

Résumé Une faible dose de rayonnement gamma appliquée à des larves de Locusta migratoria provoque des altérations de la spermiogenèse et entraine la stérilité des mâles. Ces résultats sont comparables à ceux obtenus après implantation des corps allates.Au niveau des organites cellulaires, les altérations morphologiques des spermatides sont semblables dans les deux cas: vacuolisation des mitochondries et transformation du Nebenkern, pycnoses nucléaires, multiplication centriolaire, invagination de la membrane plasmique. Certaines de ces altérations se manifestent tardivement, au moment de la fixation des spermatides sur les cellules pariétales. Celles-ci n'élaborent pas les matériaux de la coiffe des spermatodesmes: leur fonction physiologique est donc également perturbée.Le rapport entre cette altération physiologique et l'évolution anormale des spermatides est envisagé. Le mode d'action de l'hormone juvénile sur la gonade est également discuté.

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Alterations in spermiogenesis of Locusta migratoria migratorioïdes after corpora allata implantation and after irradiation

Summary Low doses of gamma-rays, given to larvae of Locusta migratoria, lead to alteration of spermiogenesis and male sterility. These results are similar to those which follow corpora allata implantation.At cellular level, morphological alterations in spermatids are the same in both treatments: mitochondrial vacuolization, nuclear pycnosis, centriole multiplication, plasmic membrane invagination. Some of these alterations reveal themselves late, at the time the spermatids fix on the parietal cells. These don't elaborate the substances of the spermatodesm's cap: their physiological functions are therefore also disturbed.The relationship beetween this physiological disturbance and abnormal evolution of spermatid are considered and the way in which juvenile hormone acts upon gonads is discussed.

     

Ultrastructure de la glande de la spermathèque chez Phosphuga atrata L. (Coleoptera Silphidae)

Résumé Chez les Silphes et en particulier chez Phosphuga atrata, la glande de la spermathèque présente une structure particulière liée à la présence d'une intima cuticulaire tapissant la lumière de la glande. Elle comporte trois types cellulaires: les cellules sécrétrices, les cellules de l'épithélium sous-cuticulaire et les cellules-manchons. Les cellules sécrétrices de grande taille contiennent une invagination de la membrane cytoplasmique formant une «vacuole» extracellulaire bordée de microvillosités. Dans cette vacuole plonge l'extrémité, différenciée en ampoule poreuse, d'un canalicule de nature cuticulaire, qui véhicule la sécrétion jusqu'à la lumière de la glande. Le canalicule est élaboré par une cellule-manchon qui l'accompagne sur toute sa longueur sauf à son extrémité intravacuolaire.Ce type de glande, qui se retrouve chez de nombreux Insectes, y assurant des fonctions diverses (sécrétion odorifique, sécrétion de défense, sécrétion spermale, etc.), est susceptible de nombreuses variations.

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Ultrastructure of the spermathecal accessory gland in Phosphuga atrata L. (coleoptera: silphidae)

Summary The spermathecal accessory gland in the female of Phosphuga atrata (Silphidae), exhibits a special structure which is due to the presence of a cuticular intima lining the lumen. The wall of the gland shows three cellular types: the secretory cells, the epithelial cells and the ductule carrying cells. Each large secretory cell contains a cavity formed by an invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane and lined by many microvilli. The secretory cell is connected with a cuticular ductule ending in the cavity of the glandular cell, in a porous organelle. This ductule, which carries the secretory material to the lumen, is surrounded by the ductule carrying cell.This type of integumentary gland is very common in insects, where it assumes various functions (attraction, defense, conservation of sperm, etc.) and its morphology varies considerably.

     

Influence de la lumière et de la mycosporine sur la composition stérolique du Nectria galligena au cours de la morphogenese sexuée

The nature and content of free sterols, analyzed by MIKE spectrometry, were investigated in in vitro cultures submitted to different light regimes with or without the addition of exogenous mycosporin. The sterol composition was related to varying degrees of induced sexual morphogenesis, particularly when mycosporin was added to the nutrient medium.     

Apport de l’embolisation de la varicocèle chez 51 patients infertiles

This study evaluated the changes induced on the parameters of the sperm count four months after sclero-embolization of varicocele. From February 1993 to February 2000, 51 infertile patients with testicular hypotrophy or oligospermia were treated by percutaneous sclero-embolization of varicocele. All patients underwent preoperative diagnostic evaluation by semen analysis, Doppler flowmetry or color Doppler ultrasound and venography. Scrotal ultrasound was performed to evaluate the echogenicity of the testes, their volume and funicular vein enlargement during Valsalva manoeuvre. Patients were reviewed four months after sclero-embolization with semen analysis. Clinical follow-up showed complete resolution of the varicocele in 94% of cases (47 patients), while the varicocele persisted in two cases. In 2% of cases (1 patient), selective catheterization of the internal spermatic vein was impossible. Four months later, analysis of semen parameters showed an increased number of spermatozoa. In 69.4% of oligospermic cases, the sperm count was at least tripled. The time-course of the sperm count (average) was as follows: in a total of 50 patients with pre- and post-embolization evaluation, sperm count increased from 19.6 106/ml to 26.7 106/ml. In the population of 36 patients with a sperm count <20 106/ml (i.e. with oligospermia or azoospermia), the sperm count increased from 3 106/ml to 14.6 106/ml. In the subgroup of patients with oligospermia (1–20.106/ml), the sperm count increased (p<0.01) from 5.32 106/ml to 22.32 106/ml; in the subgroup of patients with severe oligospermia (0–1 106/ml), the sperm count increased (p<0.01) from 0.188 106/ml to 3.5 106/ml. Semen analysis was improved in 1 of the 4 patients with azoospermia. In conclusion, sclero-embolization improved sperm count in this population of infertile patients with varicocele and testicular hypotrophy. In vitro fertilization or intra-uterine insemination can therefore be considered in the place of ICSI.     

Fluctuations des nutriments au cours de la marée sur les parcs Ostreicoles de la rivière Penze (Nord-Finistère)

The design and performance of a simple, community level ecotoxicological testsystem is reported. Samples of periphyton communities, established on artificial substratum in natural streams were used to study effects on photosynthetic activity in short-term experiments. Photosynthesis was measured as light-dependent oxygen evolution or as ¹⁴CO₂-incorporation. The variability in photosynthetic activity between samples collected at the same time, expressed as coefficient of variation, was ca 20%. The variation in sensitivity of periphyton photosynthesis as dependent on sampling season was less than threefold for the two long-chained aliphatic amines and the textile industry effluent studied. Effects of the amines on periphyton from five different streams were also investigated. The ratio between maximum and minimum values of sensitivity was 5.6. It is concluded that the variation in sensitivity between different periphyton communities is similar to or less than that observed for fresh-water algal species. Some advantages with regard to ecological realism of using periphyton communities as test systems are discussed.     

La crise de la psychiatrie contemporaine 1ère Partie: la perte du singulier

Contemporary psychiatry relies on its activity of categorization. It ignores the person’ subjective experience. This vista fits the current specialization of sciences. The authors relate the origins of modern psychiatry to the scientific spirit of the Age of the Enlightment. The activity of abstraction required by science leads to neglect some aspects of reality. This explains the equivocal face of contemporary psychiatry, which lacks a conception of healthy mental life, as well as a conception of pathological life, and moreover theoretical foundations able to guarantee healing perspectives. The main dangers are conformism and normality.