哺乳期接触双酚A对子代雄鼠睾丸结构及雌激素受体β表达的影响

目的研究哺乳期接触双酚A(BPA)对雄性小鼠睾丸结构及雌激素受体β(ERβ)表达的影响。方法 20只妊娠母鼠,待分娩后随机分为高、中、低剂量组,BPA染毒剂量为100、50、5 mg/(kg.d)和对照组,母鼠分娩后第2天开始每天灌服BPA,仔鼠通过乳汁暴露于BPA,一直持续到第22天断奶,研究其成年后睾丸组织形态学改变,并用免疫组织化学、RT-PCR和Western blot方法研究BPA对其成年后睾丸内ERβ表达的影响。结果睾丸形态学分析表明BPA处理组睾丸发育受到严重影响,生精细胞排列紊乱,支持细胞和各级生精细胞生长受到不同程度的抑制;免疫组化、RT-PCR及Western blot均显示,高、中、低剂量组雄鼠成年后睾丸组织中ERβ的表达均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论哺乳期接触BPA影响雄鼠睾丸发育,改变其成年后睾丸形态,提高睾丸组织内ERβ表达,提示BPA可能通过改变雌激素受体表达从而影响睾丸发育。     

孕鼠被动吸烟对子鼠学习记忆能力和海马LTP的影响

目的:探讨小鼠孕期被动吸烟对其子代小鼠学习记忆能力和神经机制长时程增强(LTP)效应的影响,及采用不同抗氧化剂的干预效应。方法:孕鼠给予被动吸烟染毒,并采用槲皮素和维生素E(VE)进行干预,待产子后研究子鼠水迷宫和LTP的变化。结果:被动吸烟使子鼠空间学习记忆能力下降。槲皮素组LTP与对照组相比增强显著(P<0.05);吸烟组LTP增强受到抑制(P<0.05);VE及与槲皮素协同干预组子鼠LTP较吸烟组增强显著(P<0.05)。结论:胚胎期被动吸烟使小鼠学习记忆功能下降,通过抗氧化剂干预可能得到改善。     

三种波段电磁辐射致大鼠睾丸损伤的比较

目的对比性探讨电磁脉冲(EMP)、S带高功率微波(S-HPM)和X带高功率微波(X-HPM)三种波段电磁辐射致睾丸组织受损的近期和远期效应及其相关敏感指标。方法雄性Wistar大鼠192只,随机分为EMP组、S-HPM组、X-HPM组和对照组,于照后不同时间点采集睾丸组织称重,光镜观察睾丸损伤,并用图像分析技术对曲细精管病变进行定量分析。结果三种波段电磁波辐照后睾丸结构和生精细胞形态损伤基本相似:早期睾丸重及睾丸重/体重比值呈下降趋势;曲细精管生精上皮变薄,生精细胞排列紊乱,精原细胞变性坏死并由管壁脱落,精母细胞和精子数量减少并团聚于管腔中央,支持细胞和间质细胞不同程度变性;曲细精管受损百分率显示EMP组最重,S-HPM最轻,生精细胞受损数量与程度显著增加(P0.05)。结论三种波段电磁辐射对睾丸生精细胞的损伤,具有速发性、时相性、分布不均一性特点;损伤程度呈EMPX-HPMS-HPM;睾丸曲细精管受损百分率可定量反映其损伤程度,可望成为评估电磁辐射致睾丸损伤的敏感指标之一。     

邻苯二甲酸酯染毒哺乳期母鼠对雄性仔鼠睾丸Leydig细胞形态及功能的影响

目的:观察邻苯二甲酸二乙基己基酯(DEHP)对哺乳期雄性仔鼠睾丸子Leydig细胞(PLC)形态和功能的影响及作用机制。方法:SD孕鼠20只,随机均分为4组(n=5):正常对照组,低剂量组,中剂量组,高剂量组。仔鼠出生第1天起分别以0、10、100、750 mg/(kg·d)DEHP灌胃染毒母鼠,直到仔鼠出生后21 d。用化学发光法检测雄性仔鼠血清睾酮(T)水平;测量体重、睾丸重量、肛生殖器距离(AGD);光镜及电镜下观察睾丸Leydig细胞形态结构;免疫组化方法检测睾丸类固醇激素合成急性调节蛋白(St AR)表达;Real-time PCR法检测睾丸胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)mRNA的表达。结果:与正常组比较,低剂量组T无明显变化,中、高剂量组血清T水平明显降低(P0.01)。低剂量组睾丸重量增加(P0.05),高剂量组睾丸重量、仔鼠体重明显下降(P0.01);中、高剂量组AGD明显缩短(P0.01)。低剂量组睾丸Leydig细胞明显增生,呈簇状分布;中、高剂量组睾丸Leydig细胞灶区轻度增生,高剂量组部分生精小管生精细胞层次减少、生精细胞凋亡并脱落。电镜观察各给药组Leydig细胞胞浆脂质颗粒减少,线粒体、内质网减少。低剂量组IGF-ⅠmRNA表达增高(P0.05);中、高剂量组睾丸St AR蛋白表达降低(P0.05)。结论:哺乳期染毒DEHP可干扰仔鼠PLC的睾酮合成,St AR蛋白的降低和Leydig细胞的损伤可能是其机制。     

雌激素受体在小鼠睾丸表达的免疫组织化学研究

观察雌激素受体在小鼠睾丸的定位与分布。取Ａ／Ｊ系小鼠睾丸, 制备石蜡切片。用间接酶标免疫组织化学和高温处理抗原暴露技术显示雌激素受体的所在部位。睾丸所有Ｌｅｙｄｉｇ 细胞和约２０％ 的肌样细胞的胞核呈雌激素受体阳性反应。睾丸支持细胞和生精细胞为阴性。本研究首次用免疫组织化学技术证明了睾丸中雌激素受体的存在,并定位于Ｌｅｙｄｉｇ 细胞和部分肌样细胞的胞核。为研究雌激素对雄性生殖功能的调节提供了形态学依据。     

褪黑素对邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯致雄性小鼠生殖细胞DNA损伤的拮抗作用

目的探讨邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)致小鼠睾丸细胞DNA损伤及褪黑素(MT)对此损伤的拮抗作用。方法将40只CL57BL/6J雄性小鼠随机分为4组,包括对照组、MT组、DEHP组和MT+DEHP联合组。MT采用腹腔注射(剂量为15 mg·kg-1),DEHP灌胃染毒(染毒剂量为1000 mg·kg-1),每天染毒1次,连续30 d。检测睾丸组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)、8-羟基脱氧鸟嘌呤(8-OHd G)含量。单细胞凝胶电泳(彗星实验)检测睾丸细胞DNA损伤,慧星图像软件测定慧星尾长、慧尾DNA百分含量、尾矩及Olive尾矩。结果与对照组比较,DEHP组小鼠睾丸组织GSH-Px和SOD活力降低,MDA和8-OHd G含量增加,睾丸细胞彗星尾长、彗尾DNA百分含量、尾矩、Olive尾矩均显著增加,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);与DEHP组比较,MT+DEHP联合组小鼠睾丸组织GSH-Px和SOD活力升高,MDA和8-OHd G含量降低,睾丸细胞DNA损伤程度减轻,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 DEHP造成小鼠睾丸明显的氧化应激,并引起睾丸细胞DNA的损伤;MT可拮抗因DEHP染毒导致的睾丸氧化损伤。     

D-半乳糖诱导衰老小鼠睾丸结构与功能变化及其氧化应激相关机制

目的建立D-半乳糖(D-gal)致小鼠衰老模型,探讨睾丸结构与功能变化及相关机制。方法 C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为衰老组和对照组。衰老组小鼠皮下注射D-gal;对照组等时等量注射生理盐水。模型复制完成第2d,采集小鼠内眦静脉血测定血清睾酮水平;取小鼠睾丸测定睾丸指数;石蜡切片HE染色观察睾丸组织形态学;衰老相关β-半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色检测生精细胞衰老;TUNEL法检测生精细胞凋亡;制备睾丸组织匀浆上清,ELISA检测TNF-α、IL-1β、和IL-6的水平;硫代巴比妥酸法检测丙二醛(MDA)含量;酶学法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性;ABTS法检测总抗氧化能力(TAC);Western blotting检测衰老相关蛋白p21与p53表达水平。结果衰老模型组小鼠血清睾酮水平显著下降,睾丸脏器指数无明显差异,生精小管结构紊乱,生精细胞病理损伤明显,SA-β-Gal染色阳性的生精细胞百分率上升,细胞凋亡指数上升,睾丸匀浆上清中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平显著上升,SOD活性、TAC能力显著降低,MDA含量上升,睾丸组织中衰老相关蛋白:p21与p53表达水平显著提高。结论 D-gal建立的衰老动物模型可见睾丸形态结构与功能出现衰老的生物学表现,其机制可能与氧化应激损伤及p21/p53通路激活有关。     

实验性脾虚证大鼠内分泌腺形态学与细胞化学研究

成年Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠２０只,分对照组和实验组。实验组用大黄煎剂灌服４２天致实验性脾虚证。对两组睾丸,肾上腺和甲状腺进行常规形态学与细胞化学观察。形态学显示：睾丸,肾上腺和甲状腺的组织和细胞均有不同程度的损伤。细胞化学显示：各内分泌腺均表现酸性磷酸酶（ＡＣＰ）减弱,个别内分泌腺细胞显示琥珀酸脱氢酶（ＳＤＨ）,三磷酸腺苷酶（ＡＴＰａｓｅ）和ＰＡＳ反应的变化。结果证明脾虚证不仅消化系统功能低下,而且内分泌功能也受到了影响     

维生素C和B_1对铅致小鼠睾丸损伤保护作用研究

目的探讨维生素C、B1联合用药拮抗铅对睾丸的毒性作用。方法 1.30只雄性小鼠随机分为2组(15只/组):空白对照组和铅染毒组。染铅组雄性小鼠每日腹腔注射醋酸铅20 mg/kg,空白对照组给予等容量的生理盐水,一日一次,第42日结束以上实验。将小鼠取血,用试剂盒检测血浆中谷胱甘肽的含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性。将睾丸组织经过处理后,在光镜及透射电镜下观察睾丸组织结构变化;2.45只雄性小鼠随机分为3组(15只/组):空白对照组、铅染毒组和维生素联合干预组。染铅组雄性小鼠每日腹腔注射醋酸铅20 mg/kg,维生素干预组在染铅后,即时每组小鼠给予维生素C和维生素B1,一日一次,第42日结束。处死小鼠,取血,用试剂盒检测血浆中谷胱甘肽的含量,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性。在光镜以及透射电镜下观察睾丸组织结构变化。结果1.与空白对照组比较,醋酸铅染毒组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平降低,GSH/GSSG的比例降低,GPX活性升高,GR活性降低;光镜下睾丸组织生精小管变薄,各级生精细胞、支持细胞减少,部分细胞核出现核固缩;3.电镜下染毒组小鼠睾丸组织超微结构变化明显,支持细胞溶酶体增多,线粒体肿胀空泡化;2.与醋酸铅染毒组比较,维生素干预组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平升高,GSH/GSSG的比例升高,GPx活性降低,GR活性升高;光镜观察结果:与染铅组相比,维生素B1和C联合干预组中破坏的睾丸生精上皮有所恢复;电镜观察结果:与染铅组相比,维生素B1和C联合干预组睾丸组织超微结构基本恢复正常,生精细胞和支持细胞结构正常,细胞器丰富。结果 1.醋酸铅使体内GSH的水平降低,GPX活性升高,GR活性降低,从而诱导氧化应激的发生,导致染铅小鼠睾丸的损伤;2.维生素干预组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平升高,GSH/GSSG的比例升高,GPx活性降低,GR活性升高,维生素干预组小鼠血浆中氧化型谷胱甘肽还原为还原型谷胱甘肽,从而发挥抗氧化作用,对小鼠睾丸起到保护作用。     

Expression of the c-Kit receptor in germ cells of the seminiferous epithelium in rats with hormonal imbalance

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of pharmacologically induced hormonal imbalance in adult male rats treated with letrozole and rats exposed to soya isoflavones on the testicular morphology and c-Kit receptor (c-Kit-R) expression in germ cells. The study was conducted during all developmental periods: prenatal period, lactation, youth, and sexual maturity. Morphological and morphometrical analyses were performed on testicular section, and c-Kit-R was identified using immunohistochemistry. In addition, concentration of circulating steroids was measured in mature rats exposed to soya isoflavones. A significant reduction in testosterone level in rats exposed to soya isoflavones, and the sloughing of the premature germ cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules in the testes of both groups of rats were observed. Immunohistochemistry showed a decrease in c-Kit-R expression in germ cells of both experimental groups. Morphometric analysis indicated a decreased thickness of the layers occupied by c-Kit-R-positive spermatogonia, and a decreased diameter of the seminiferous tubules in the testes of both experimental groups of animals. In conclusion, the pharmacologically induced reduction of the estradiol level in adult rats and the diminished level of testosterone in rats exposed to soya isoflavones during the prenatal period, lactation and up to maturity caused similar morphological and functional changes associated with the decreased c-Kit-R expression in germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. These findings demonstrate the importance of the estrogen/androgen balance for normal testicular morphology and spermatogenesis.     

Cigarette Smoke Inhibits Brain Mitochondrial Adaptations of Exercised Mice

Physical exercise and smoking are environmental factors that generally cause opposite health-promoting adaptations. Both physical exercise and smoking converge on mitochondrial adaptations in various tissues, including the pro-oxidant nervous system. Here, we analyzed the impact of cigarette smoking on exercise-induced brain mitochondrial adaptations in the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex of adult mice. The animals were exposed to chronic cigarette smoke followed by 8 weeks of moderate-intensity physical exercise that increased mitochondrial activity in the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex in the non-smoker mice. However, mice previously exposed to cigarette smoke did not present these exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations. Our results suggest that smoking can inhibit some brain health-promoting changes induced by physical exercise.     

In vivo analysis of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by testicular Sertoli cells

Sertoli cells, a somatic cell type present within the seminiferous tubules of testes, are responsible for the phagocytic elimination of apoptotic spermatogenic cells. We here established an in vivo assay system that enables us to quantitatively analyze Sertoli cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in testes of live mice. Apoptotic cells were injected into the seminiferous tubules of spermatogenic cell-depleted mice, and the occurrence of phagocytosis by Sertoli cells was examined by histochemically analyzing testis sections or dispersed testicular cells. We reproducibly observed similar levels of phagocytosis in either examination, and the ratio of Sertoli cells that engulfed injected apoptotic cells was almost the same between the two examinations. These results indicated that a quantitative in vivo assay system was established using the seminiferous tubules of live mice as 'test tubes.' We then determined the requirements for Sertoli cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells using this assay. For this purpose, apoptotic cells were injected together with various phagocytosis inhibitors, and the extent of phagocytosis by Sertoli cells was determined. The results revealed that Sertoli cells phagocytose apoptotic cells in a manner dependent on class B scavenger receptor type I (SR-BI) of Sertoli cells and phosphatidylserine exposed at the surface of target cells, as previously observed in vitro using primary cultures of dispersed rat testicular cells. Furthermore, the amount of SR-BI in Sertoli cells increased after injection of apoptotic cells into the seminiferous tubules, suggesting a positive feedback regulation of the expression of this phagocytosis receptor.     

小鼠睾丸注射不同转染试剂和注射方法对外源基因表达的影响

为探讨不同转染试剂(LipofectamineTM LTXPLUSTM、Lipofectamine2000和纳米化聚酰胺-胺型树枝状聚合物(PAMAM-D))和睾丸注射方法 (睾丸网注射、曲精细管注射和间质注射)对转基因小鼠生产效率的影响,将pEGFP-C1质粒分别与不同转染试剂混合后,按照不同的注射方法注入小鼠睾丸内,30 d后检测小鼠精子密度、活力、精子阳性率以及配种后仔鼠转基因阳性率。结果 3种转染试剂对小鼠繁殖性能影响由小到大依次为LipofectamineTM LTXPLUSTM、Lipofectamine 2000和PAMAM-D。转染后LipofectamineTM LTXPLUSTM、Lipofectamine 2000和PAMAM-D组精子的GFP阳性率分别为35.65%±0.69%、12.86%±0.35%和10.04%±0.20%。配种后仔鼠的PCR阳性率分别为29.17%、13.70%和5.88%。3种不同注射方法对小鼠睾丸都造成损伤,由小到大依次为睾丸网注射、曲精细管注射和睾丸间质注射,三者的阳性精子比例分别为35.13%±1.727%、15.13%±1.457%和0%,配种后仔鼠的PCR阳性率分别为33.3%、12.5%和0%。结果表明,LipofectamineTM LTXPLUSTM和睾丸网注射对小鼠睾丸的损伤最小,并能获得较高的转染效率。     

Tobacco cigarette smoking exacerbates aortic calcification in an early stage of myocardial infarction in a female mouse model

Despite increased social awareness, marketing restraints, tobacco taxation, and available smoking cessation rehab programs, active and passive smoking remain a worldwide challenging epidemic and a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases development. Although cardiovascular (CV) protection is more pronounced in women than in men due to estrogenic effects, tobacco cigarette smoking exposure seems to alter this protection by modulating estrogen actions via undefined mechanisms. Premenopausal cigarette smoking women are at higher risk of adverse CV effects than non-smokers. In this study, we investigated the impact of cigarette smoking on early CV injury after myocardial infarction (MI) in non-menopausal female mice. Aortic arch calcification, fibrosis, reactive oxygen species, and gene expression of inflammatory and calcification genes were exaggerated in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). These findings suggest that aortic injury following MI, characterized by vascular smooth muscle cells transdifferentiation, calcification, inflammation, and collagen deposition but not cardiac dysfunction is exacerbated with CS exposure. The novel findings of this study highlight the importance of aortic injury on short and long-term prognosis in CS-exposed MI females. Linking those findings to estrogen alteration is probable and entails investigation.     

Passive cigarette smoking increases isoprostane formation

Passive smoking has been demonstrated to exert a variety of deleterious effects eventually resulting in vascular damage. Isoprostanes, a reliable marker of in vivo oxidation injury, have been shown to increase in active cigarette smoking. Data for passive smoking are lacking. We were examining the isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2alpha in 12 smokers and non-smokers exposed daily to passive cigarette smoke for 12 days. Plasma samples stored at liquid nitrogen from people having been examined earlier were used. Prevalues of 8-epi-PGF2alpha are higher in cigarette smokers. Exposure to passive smoking causes a significant increase in 8-epi-PGF2alpha in non-smokers, while in smokers there is only a trendwise increase. After repeated passive smoke exposure, 8-epi-PGF2alpha in non-smokers approaches the respective values of smokers. There is a significant correlation of 8-epi-PGF2alpha to the thromboxane (plasma, serum, conversion from exogenous precursor, 11-dehydro-TXB2) parameters (MDA, HHT- conversion) examined in these patients before. The findings document a significant temporary increase in in vivo oxidation injury due to passive smoke favouring development and/or progression of vascular disease.     

Distribution of histopathology and Ia positive cells in actively induced and passively transferred experimental autoimmune orchitis

Histopathology in testes from mice with actively induced experimental orchitis (EAO) (active EAO) and those from recipients of testis-sensitized lymphocytes (passive EAO) had different distributions. In passive EAO, maximum orchitis existed in the straight tubules, rete testis, and ductus efferentes, obstruction of which led to extreme dilatation of seminiferous tubules. Unusual intralymphatic granulomata also resulted in dilated testicular lymphatics. In active EAO, maximum orchitis affected seminiferous tubules under the testicular capsule, away from the rete testes. Vasitis was common and occurred in both active and passive EAO. In normal testes, IA+ F4/80+ cells were sparse but formed a cuff around the straight tubules. After immunization with testis in adjuvant or with adjuvant alone, the number, size, and staining intensity of IA+ cells increased dramatically beginning on day 5, 7 days before disease onset. Simultaneously, epithelial cells confined to the ductus efferentes became Ia+. Although recipients of sensitized lymphocytes also developed epithelial Ia in the ductus efferentes, they did not show changes in testicular interstitial Ia+ cells. Our findings indicate that testicular autoantigens are not completely sequestered, but are accessible to and can react with passively transferred immune lymphocytes in well-defined regions of the germ cell compartment. These regions coincided to a large extent with maximum expression of periductal or epithelial Ia. Changes in Ia+ cells in the testis, which are inducible by adjuvants and precede orchitis, may account in part for the different distribution of histopathology of active EAO.     

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...     

Chronic cigarette smoke causes oxidative damage and apoptosis to retinal pigmented epithelial cells in mice

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mice exposed to chronic cigarette smoke develop features of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Two month old C57Bl6 mice were exposed to either filtered air or cigarette smoke in a smoking chamber for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 6 months. Eyes were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde/2% paraformaldehyde and examined for ultrastructural changes by transmission electron microscopy. The contralateral eye was fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde and examined for oxidative injury to the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) by 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunolabeling and apoptosis by TUNEL labeling. Mice exposed to cigarette smoke had immunolabeling for 8-OHdG in 85+/-3.7% of RPE cells counted compared to 9.5+/-3.9% in controls (p<0.00001). Bruch membrane was thicker in mice exposed to smoke (1086+/-332 nm) than those raised in air (543+/-132 nm; p = 0.0069). The two most pronounced ultrastructural changes (severity grading scale from 0-3) seen were a loss of basal infoldings (mean difference in grade = 1.98; p<0.0001), and an increase in intracellular vacuoles (mean difference in grade = 1.7; p<0.0001). Ultrastructural changes to Bruch membrane in cigarette-smoke exposed mice were smaller in magnitude but consistently demonstrated significantly higher grade injury in cigarette-exposed mice, including basal laminar deposits (mean difference in grade = 0.54; p<0.0001), increased outer collagenous layer deposits (mean difference in grade = 0.59; p = 0.002), and increased basal laminar deposit continuity (mean difference in grade = 0.4; p<0.0001). TUNEL assay showed a higher percentage of apoptotic RPE from mice exposed to cigarette smoke (average 8.0+/-1.1%) than room air (average 0+/-0%; p = 0.043). Mice exposed to chronic cigarette smoke develop evidence of oxidative damage with ultrastructural degeneration to the RPE and Bruch membrane, and RPE cell apoptosis. This model could be useful for studying the mechanism of smoke induced changes during early AMD.     

γ—Aminobutyric acid transporter （GAT1） overexpression in mouse affects the testicular morphology

γ-Aminobutyric acid and GABAergic receptors were previously reported to be distributed in reproductive systems besides CNS and predicted to participate in the modulation of testicular function.γ-Aminobutyric acid transporter was implicated to be involved in this process.However,the potential role of γ-aminobutyric transporter in testis has not been explored.In this study,we investigated the existence of mouse γ-aminobutyric acid transporter subtype I (mGAT1) in testis.Wild-type and transgenic mice,which overexpressing mGAT1 in a variety of tissues,especially in testis,were primarily studied to approach the profile of mGAT1 in testis.Mice with overexpressed mGAT1 develop normally but with reduced mass and size of testis as compared with wild-type.Testicular morphology of transgenic mice exhibited overt abnormalities including focal damage of the spermatogenic epithelium accompanied by capillaries proliferation and increased diameter of seminiferous tubules lumen.Reduced number of spermatids was also found in some seminiferous tubules.Our results clearly demonstrate the presence of GAT1 in mouse testis and imply that GAT1 is possibly involved in testicular function.