大鼠睾丸生精小管上皮精子发生周期的PAS法判定

精子发生是一个包含生殖细胞成熟分裂的连续、复杂的动态过程,不同的生精小管,或同一生精小管不同区段的生精细胞的组合、分布均不相同。本文应用PAS染色法观察了大鼠睾丸生精小管上皮中各级生精细胞在精子发生过程的形态学变化特点。参照Clermont及Russell等制定的生精上皮时相的判定标准,根据生精上皮在精子发生过程中的各级生精细胞组合分布特点,把生精上皮分为ⅩⅣ个期。通过观察精子发生过程中生精上皮细胞组合的周期性形态变化特点,对精子发生过程进行精确划分,把精子发生这一连续、复杂的动态过程静止化,具体化,可以更加准确地描述和比较不同影响因素对生精小管上皮中各级生精细胞的组织学、病理学、毒理学变化。     

Rab13通过影响PKA活性调节occludin及F-actin在大鼠血睾屏障的分布

目的探讨Rab13-PKA通路对大鼠血睾屏障功能的调节。方法首先构建靶向大鼠Rab13的shRNA载体,通过大鼠睾丸内注射转染Rab13 shRNA,Western印迹检测Rab13体内沉默效果及沉默后BTB相关连接蛋白表达改变,放射自显影检测睾丸组织内PKA活性变化,睾丸组织冰冻切片免疫荧光染色及鬼笔环肽染色分别观察occludin及肌动蛋白丝在生精上皮的分布。结果 Rab13 shRNA睾丸内转染后Rab13表达量与对照shRNA转染相比下降约70%(P0.01),而BTB相关连接蛋白表达无变化;Rab13沉默后PKA活性与对照组相比有明显升高(P0.01);免疫荧光结果表明,Rab13沉默后occludin在VIII期生精上皮的分布显著高于对照组,而在其他期别生精上皮中则无显著变化;鬼笔环肽染色显示Rab13沉默后F-actin在BTB处的分布明显增强;此外,occludin及F-actin的分布变化可被PKA抑制剂H89所拮抗。结论 Rab13可通过影响PKA活性调节大鼠BTB紧密连接蛋白occludin及F-actin的分布,从而参与调节BTB功能。     

睾丸支持细胞紧密连接的动力学调控

在睾丸精子发生的过程中,处于细线期和细线前期的精母细胞必须从生精上皮的基底室进入近腔室,这样形态上发育完全的精子才能在精子释放时进入到生精小管的内腔。显然,构成血-睾屏障的支持细胞间紧密连接的开放和关闭受到一系列信号分子的调节。已经发现的对该过程起调控作用的信号分子包括：转化生长因子β3(TGFβ3)、闭锁蛋白、PKA、PKC等。现就该领域研究的新进展以及可用于研究紧密连接动力学的一些模型进行综述。     

隐睾不育的分子基础

隐睾症或热局部处理猴和大鼠睾丸, 能引起可逆性生精细胞凋亡, 出现少精或无精现象. 43℃局部热浴猴睾丸可引起精液中精子数量发生可逆性减少. 睾丸支持细胞为生精细胞提供结构支持与营养供给. 生精上皮中支持细胞间以及支持细胞和各级生精细胞间的特殊连接在精子发生中起着至关重要的作用. 本研究组发现, 热处理后紧密连接分子, 如occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)在24~48 h表达明显下降, 血睾屏障(blood-testis barrier, BTB)发生了可逆性破坏. 该过程还伴随着TGF-β2和TGF-β3表达增高, p38 MAPK和ERK/MAPK信号通路激活. 由此推测, 热激可能通过引发TGF-bs增高, 下调紧密连接相关蛋白的表达, 导致细胞连接减弱, 从而引起BTB结构发生可逆性紊乱. 此外, 本文还综述了成年小鼠实验性隐睾睾丸中总基因的表达变化, 成功克隆了几个生理功能显著, 与精子发生特异相关的新基因.     

哺乳动物睾丸细胞间连接的动态调控

精子的发生过程是一个受多种因素(包括由细胞间连接的动态变化所形成的微环境等)精确调控的过程。细胞因子及睾酮以自分泌、旁分泌的形式对该微环境中的细胞连接水平如:生殖细胞穿越血睾屏障(the blood-testis barrier,BTB)的开闭机制等进行调控,从而对精子的发生起到重要调节作用。本文讨论了各种因素对细胞间连接的自分泌、旁分泌调控方式的影响,并简要介绍了近腔细胞外质特化(apical ectoplasmic specialization,近腔ES)-BTB-半桥粒/基底膜功能调控轴模型在生精细胞穿越BTB及精子释放等生精过程中的作用,为人们进一步认识精子发生过程中细胞间联系的功能及其调控提供了新的视角。     

乙烯利对青春期大鼠睾丸组织病理及生精细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨乙烯利对青春期大鼠睾丸组织病理及生精细胞凋亡的影响。方法:青春期雄性25日龄SD大鼠,分别以乙烯利浓度为2000 mg/kg、1000 mg/kg、500 mg/kg和生理盐水连续灌胃14和21天,分别取睾丸固定、包埋,以HE染色、末端转移酶标记技术(TUNE法)光镜观察睾丸的组织形态学变化、检测生精细胞凋亡情况。结果:低剂量组较对照组相比生精小管萎缩,生精细胞排列紊乱;中剂量和高剂量组较低剂量组相比,生精小管更加萎缩,生精细胞排列明显紊乱;接触乙烯利14天后高剂量组生精细胞凋亡指数与低剂量、对照组相比具有显著统计学差异(P0.01);高剂量与中剂量组相比无统计学差异(P0.05);中剂量和低剂量与对照组相比有显著统计学差异(P0.01);接触乙烯利21天后各组间比较均具有显著性差异(P0.01)。结论:乙烯利可导致大鼠生精细胞凋亡增加,生精能力下降,这可能是导致青年不育的原因之一。     

双峰驼睾丸和隐睾细胞外基质相关蛋白的组织化学特征及超微结构比较

为探索细胞外基质相关蛋白在隐睾双峰驼的分布情况及其组织化学特征,应用电镜技术和多种组织化学方法比较了隐睾和正常睾丸的超微结构,组织化学特点及层粘连蛋白（LN）、Ⅳ型胶原（Col Ⅳ）和硫酸乙酰肝素糖蛋白（HSPG）的分布特征。结果显示：(1)与正常睾丸间质结构相比,光镜下隐睾生精小管发育不全,间质内胶原纤维稀疏,网状纤维分布明显,间质血管及生精小管固有膜PAS及AB-PAS阳性反应较弱。电镜下,隐睾生精上皮基膜明显增生,外围I型胶原纤维较少,管周肌样细胞不典型;间质毛细血管及Leydig细胞周围纤维细胞多见,而正常睾丸在间质毛细血管及Leydig细胞周围多分布有成纤维细胞。(2) 免疫组织化学染色显示,正常睾丸组织的Col Ⅳ、LN及HSPG在Leydig细胞内均为强阳性表达,Col Ⅳ和LN在毛细血管内皮细胞强阳性表达,后者在Sertoli细胞的表达尤为明显,HSPG在精原细胞无表达;隐睾时Col Ⅳ、LN及HSPG在Leydig细胞内阳性表达均明显减弱,Col Ⅳ、LN在管周肌样细胞及毛细血管内皮细胞阳性表达也减弱明显,HSPG在精原细胞较强阳性表达,且在精子细胞呈强阳性表达。免疫组织化学图像分析结果显示,双峰驼正常睾丸组织中Col Ⅳ和LN的分布显著高于隐睾组织（P<0.05）,HSPG检测结果在正常睾丸与隐睾之间无统计学差异（P>0.01）。该研究表明,双峰驼隐睾生精小管发育异常,间质组织中合成胶原纤维的能力下降,睾丸细胞外基质的重要成分Col Ⅳ,LN与正常组差异显著与生精小管及Leydig细胞异常发育有关,而HSPG在隐睾生精上皮的强阳性表达与精原细胞发育不成熟密切相关。     

砷对大鼠生精细胞凋亡的影响

砷是已肯定的生殖毒物之一,但关于砷对雄（男）性生殖系统的毒性作用的分子机制尚不清楚。本实验通过检测慢性砷中毒大鼠睾丸脏器系数、精子头数、每日精子生成量（DSP）及生精细胞凋亡情况,探讨砷对精子发生的影响,为进一步探讨砷致雄（男）性生殖毒性机制提供基础资料。结果显示,随染砷剂量的增加,大鼠出现睾丸生精上皮结构变疏松,生精上皮细胞层次紊乱,甚至部分生精小管基膜溶解、管腔中成熟精子减少、小管间隙增宽、细胞体积缩小、间质出现水肿、渗出等病理改变;睾丸精子头计数及DSP逐渐减少,中、高剂量组变化尤其明显。     

黄芩苷通过增强抗氧化和抑制细胞凋亡减轻哮喘小鼠雄性生殖损伤

生殖健康是人口与健康领域的重要议题。作为全球最常见的呼吸道疾病哮喘会影响男性生殖功能,但相关机制鲜有报道。本文研究了黄酮类化合物黄芩苷(baicalin, BA)对哮喘小鼠睾丸损伤的干预作用及相关机制。选择雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组(CK组)、卵清蛋白(ovalbumin, OVA)致敏的哮喘组(OVA组)和黄芩苷干预哮喘组(OVA+BA组)。结果发现,3组小鼠体重无明显差异。OVA组小鼠睾丸系数和精子数量显著降低(P<0.05),精子畸形率显著增加(P<0.05);黄芩苷干预组小鼠睾丸系数显著增加(P<0.05),精子畸形率显著降低(P<0.05)。HE染色观察到OVA组小鼠睾丸组织生精小管结构损伤,精子发生异常,生精细胞减少,Johnson得分显著降低;BA干预组生精小管直径及生精上皮细胞高度显著增加,生精小管基膜结构较完整,Johnson得分显著提高(P<0.05);试剂盒法检测氧化还原指标发现,OVA组睾丸组织过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加(P<0.05),总超氧化物歧化...     

贻贝雄性生殖系统的组织学和超微结构

贻贝雄性生殖系统中精巢由树枝状的生殖管,输精管民。生殖管反复分枝成生精小管而末端膨大的泡囊,二者皆由位于基膜上的生殖上皮和管壁上皮构成,生殖上皮是由圆形或卵圆形的精原细胞组成,精原细胞最大,核内染色质稀疏,靠核膜内侧分布,核仁一个,明显。初级精母细胞上,染色质开始集成小团块,线粒体向细胞的一侧集中,次级精母细胞与表母细胞结构相似,染色质浓缩成数大块,核膜或散布于核内,精细胞内开始出现顶体颗粒并逐渐     

Mutation analyses of integrated HBV genome in hepatitis B patients

Little has been learnt in the last 30 years about detection of HBV genome as well as its mutation analysis between hepatitis B fathers （HBF） and their children. In this study, we used nest polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH）, and DNA sequencing analysis, to examine the integrated HBV genome in paraffin-embedded testis tissues, which were taken as samples from HBE and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） from 74 cases of HBFs and their children who were born after their fathers＇ HBV infection （caHBF）. We found that HBV DNA existed in testis tissues, mainly in the basilar parts of the seminiferous tubules, and also in PBMC of HBE It was also documented that there were point mutations of poly-loci, insertions and deletions of nucleotides in integrated HBV genomes, and the types of gene mutations in the HBFs were similar to those in caHBE This study addresses the major types of gene mutations in integrated HBV genome in human patients and also presents reliable evidence of possible genetic transmission of hepatitis B.     

Expression pattern of asialoglycoprotein receptor in human testis

During acute or chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the virus can invade the male reproductive system, pass through the blood–testis barrier and integrate into the germ line, resulting in abnormal spermatozoa. However, the pathway remains unclear. The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR), a potential receptor for HBV, is mainly distributed in hepatocytes. We have examined the distribution of ASGR in human testis and found it in the seminiferous tubules and interstitial region but its enrichment in human testis is much lower than that in liver. By multiple immunoenzyme histochemistry staining, ASGR was precisely co-localized with vimentin (Sertoli cell marker) but not proliferating cell nuclear antigen (spermatogonial cell marker) in testis tissue. ASGR was expressed in human Leydig cells, stromal cells in the seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells but seldom in spermatogonial cells. Therefore, ASGR could provide HBV with access to the luminal compartment of human testis. The mechanism by which HBV invades germ cells remains unknown.     

Postnatal development of the connexion between tubulus seminiferus and tubulus rectus in the bovine testis

Summary Histology and ultrastructure of the connexion of seminiferous and straight testicular tubules were studied in 58 bovine testes of 29 animals ranging from 4 to 52 weeks of postnatal development. In the 4th and 8th week seminiferous tubules are solid. Their non-germinal supporting cells possess spherical nuclei in a basal location and a great amount of granular endoplasmic reticulum. The straight tubules have a narrow lumen and a stratified epithelium rich in intercellular canaliculi. Between 20 and 25 weeks the seminiferous tubules acquire a lumen and develop a terminal segment, the tip of which (terminal plug) protrudes into the cup-shaped modification of the adjacent straight tubule. At 30 weeks the structural differentiation between seminiferous tubule proper and its terminal segment has proceeded: in the former spermatocytes and spermatids make their first appearance, and the supporting cells have transformed to Sertoli cells. In the latter the morphology of the supporting cell preserves a more primitive state. Starting from the 16th week and proceeding through the 30th week and further, the epithelium of the tubulus rectus close to the connexion with the seminiferous tubule becomes monolayered by rearrangement of its cells and advances along the basal lamina into the area of the seminiferous tubule. Those cells of the seminiferous tubule that are cut off from the basal lamina by invading rectus cells degenerate. Between 40 and 52 weeks the adult situation is principally achieved. The terminal segment of the seminiferous tubule is tripartite consisting of transitional region, intermediate portion, and terminal plug. The terminal segment is surrounded by a vascular plexus. The straight testicular tubule adjacent to the terminal segment is modified into a cup region encompassing the terminal plug, followed by a narrow stalk region, which is lined by simple columnar epithelium. Mononuclear free cells are a constant feature of the tubulus rectus epithelium in all stages of postnatal development.Supported by grant Wr 7/6-6 from the Deutsche Forschungsge-meinschaft     

In situ demonstration of both TUNEL-labeled germ cell and Sertoli cell in the cimetidine-treated rats

Cimetidine has caused dysfunction in the male reproductive system. In the rat testis, intratubular alterations and loss of peritubular tissue due to peritubular myoid cell death by apoptosis have been recently shown. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate which cells of the seminiferous epithelium have been affected and/or died by apoptosis after the treatment with cimetidine. For this purpose, an experimental group containing five male albino Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of cimetidine (50 mg/kg body weight) during 52 days. The testes were fixed with 4% buffered formaldehyde and were embedded in paraffin. For detection of DNA breaks (apoptosis) in the cells of the seminiferous epithelium, the testicular sections were treated by the TUNEL method (Apop-Tag Plus Peroxidase Kit). In the tubules affected by cimetidine, altered peritubular tissue, including the presence of TUNEL labeling in the myoid peritubular cells, were usually found. In these tubules, the seminiferous epithelium exhibited low density of germ cells and TUNEL-positive labeling in the germ cells of the basal compartment. The concomitant staining in both germ cells of the basal compartment and late spermatids suggest a sensitivity of these cells in the damaged tubules. Besides germ cells, TUNEL-positive Sertoli cells were also found in the injured seminiferous tubules. Thus, a relationship between dying germ cells and Sertoli cell damage and/or death must be considered in tubules where peritubular tissue has been affected by toxicants.     

Enhancement of seminiferous tubular growth and spermatogenesis in testes of rats recovering from early hypothyroidism: a quantitative study

Testicular weight and DNA content were markedly reduced (63 and 69%) in weanling Long-Evans rat pups rendered hypothyroid from birth by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU), a reversible goitrogen. These growth deficits worsened to >80% by continuing hypothyroidism beyond weaning, to days 50 and 90. Recovery of thyroid function, brought about by discontinuing PTU at weaning, resulted in a paradoxical stimulation of testis growth, amounting to increased weight (40%), DNA content (60%) and size by 90 days, compared to age-matched controls. In the 25-day or older hypothyroid rats, testicular structure was immature and spermatogenesis markedly delayed, as evident by closed lumen and significantly reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules (38%), thickness of germinal layer (70%), and number of primary spermatocytes (86%), compared to control. Hypothyroidism did not alter the number of tubules per testis cross section. In the 90-day recovery rats, numbers of seminiferous tubules were unchanged but tubular diameter was significantly (20%) larger than in controls and spermatogenesis appeared very active as indicated by significantly increased germinal layer thickness (22%) and total number and density of primary spermatocytes (55% and 40%). The results show that although postnatal hypothyroidism is deleterious for testicular growth and spermatogenesis, recovery from this condition leads to enhanced seminiferous tubular growth and spermatogenesis.     

Taenia crassiceps: Infections of male mice lead to severe disruption of seminiferous tubule cells and increased apoptosis

This research was carried out to study the effects of infection with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci on the seminiferous epithelium histoarchitecture in the testes of male mice. Our results showed a severe disruption of the histoarchitecture of the testis epithelium in infected mice. In these animals, a significant infiltration of macrophages within seminiferous tubules was observed (P < 0.001). Generalized apoptosis of germ cells within the seminiferous tubules was observed, as assessed by TUNEL assay and apoptotic nuclei were quantified. The total number of fluorescent objects (DNA) (including clusters, singles, and objects in clusters) was significantly higher in the infected cells than in the control group (P = 0.0286). Observation of the interstitial tissue showed disorder and deterioration of many Leydig cells of infected mice, as well as intense vacuolization and destruction of their inter-cellular junctions. Several ultrastructural abnormalities were observed through electron microscopy as well. The observed pathology could lead to a state of infertility.     

A stereological and histopathological study of the effects of exposure of male rat testes to mercury vapor

Mercury is ubiquitous in the environment; it is an occupational pollutant and a potential toxicant. We investigated the effects of exposure of rat testes to mercury vapor (Hg⁰). Twelve male rats were divided into two groups of six: the rats of the Hg⁰ group were exposed to mercury (1 mg/m³/day) in a chamber for six weeks; the control group rats were housed under the same conditions without exposure to Hg⁰. After the experimental period, the testes were removed, sections of testis were evaluated histopathologically after hematoxylin and eosin staining, and stereologically using the Cavalieri principle and optical fractionator methods. We found significant decreases in the total volume of testis, diameters of seminiferous tubules and total volume of seminiferous tubules. Significant decreases were detected in the numbers of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids of the Hg⁰ group compared to the control group. In the Hg⁰ exposed group, spermatogenic cells were degenerated and seminiferous tubules were atrophied.     

Development of a positive method for male stem cell-mediated gene transfer in mouse and pig

Classical approaches for producing transgenic livestock require labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive methods with low efficiency of transgenic production. A promising approach for producing transgenic animals by using male stem cells was recently reported by Brinster and Zimmermann (1994: Proc Natl Acad Sci 91:11298-11302) and by Brinster and Avarbock (1994: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:11303-11307). However, in order to apply this technique to producing transgenic animals, some difficulties have to be overcome. These include a satisfactory method for short-term in vitro culture for drug selection after transfection with exogenous DNA, and methods for the use of livestock such as pigs. We developed a new method for transferring foreign DNA into male germ cells. Mice and pigs were treated with busulfan, an alkylating agent, to destroy the developing male germ cells, and liposome/bacterial LacZ gene complexes were introduced into each seminiferous tubule by using a microinjection needle. As a control, lipofectin was dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline at a ratio of 1:1, and then injected into seminiferous tubules. In mice, 8.0–14.8% of seminiferous tubule expressed the introduced LacZ gene, and 7–13% of epididymal spermatozoa were confirmed as having foreign DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The liposome-injected testes were all negative for X-gal staining. These results indicate that some spermatozoa were successfully transformed in their early stages by liposome/DNA complexes. In pigs, foreign DNA was also incorporated efficiently into male germ cells, and 15.3–25.1% of the seminiferous tubules containing germ cells expressed the LacZ gene. The data suggest that these techniques can be used as a powerful tool for producing transgenic livestock. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 46:515–526, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Protein secretory patterns of rat Sertoli and peritubular cells are influenced by culture conditions

An approach combining two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiography was used to correlate patterns of secretory proteins in cultures of Sertoli and peritubular cells with those observed in the incubation medium from segments of seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells in culture and in seminiferous tubules secreted three proteins designated S70 (Mr 72,000-70,000), S45 (Mr 45,000), and S35 (Mr 35,000). Cultured Sertoli and peritubular cells and incubated seminiferous tubules secreted two proteins designated SP1 (Mr 42,000) and SP2 (Mr 50,000). SP1 and S45 have similar Mr but differ from each other in isoelectric point (pI). Cultured peritubular cells secreted a protein designated P40 (Mr 40,000) that was also seen in intact seminiferous tubules but not in seminiferous tubules lacking the peritubular cell wall. However, a large number of high-Mr proteins were observed only in the medium of cultured peritubular cells but not in the incubation medium of intact seminiferous tubules. Culture conditions influence the morphology and patterns of protein secretion of cultured peritubular cells. Peritubular cells that display a flat-stellate shape transition when placed in culture medium free of serum (with or without hormones and growth factors), accumulate various proteins in the medium that are less apparent when these cells are maintained in medium supplemented with serum. Two secretory proteins stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (designated SCm1 and SCm2) previously found in the medium of cultured Sertoli cells, were also observed in the incubation medium of seminiferous tubular segments stimulated by FSH. Results of this study show that, although cultured Sertoli and peritubular cells synthesize and secrete proteins also observed in segments of incubated seminiferous tubules anther group of proteins lacks seminiferous tubular correlates. Our observations should facilitate efforts to achieve a differentiated functional state of Sertoli and peritubular cells in culture as well as to select secretory proteins for assessing their possible biological role in testicular function.     

敌鼠钠对大鼠抗生育作用的研究

采用不同剂量敌鼠钠分别对SD妊娠大鼠和雄性大鼠一次性灌胃给药 ,观察敌鼠钠对大鼠的抗生育作用。结果表明 ,( 1 ) 5 0 0、2 50和 1 2 5mg/kg体重的敌鼠钠使妊娠大鼠活胎率显著下降 (P <0 0 1 ) ;( 2 )敌鼠钠致死胎的半数有效剂量 (ED50 )为 ( 1 60 2± 0 67)mg/kg体重 ;( 3)形态学观察表明 ,敌鼠钠导致雄性大鼠睾丸曲细精管管壁萎缩、变形并明显变薄 ,致使精母细胞、精子细胞和精子损伤 ,生精细胞层和精子层厚度明显变薄。提示敌鼠钠对雌性及雄性大鼠均有一定的抗生育作用。