大鼠睾丸内皮型一氧化氮合酶表达的增龄变化

为研究雄性大鼠睾丸在发生、发育和衰老过程中内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)在生精功能中的作用及其变化规律，本实验采用了免疫组织化学染色及体视学图像分析等方法，对生后1d至生后24月龄大鼠睾丸eNOS表达的变化进行了系统研究，并统计测量了阳性血管内皮细胞及间质细胞面密度的变化。结果表明：生后1d至2周龄eNOS阳性表达极少；3周龄血管内皮细胞、间质细胞及精子细胞均出现了阳性表达；1月龄至18月龄生精小管靠近管腔的精子细胞也呈阳性，阳性血管内皮细胞、间质细胞数目差异显著；24月龄血管内皮细胞、间质细胞eNOS大量表达，部分生精细胞也有表达。本结果提示一氧化氮参与精子的生成及睾酮的分泌过程，衰老时eNOS阳性表达显著增加，这种变化可能会抑制睾酮的分泌，最终会影响睾丸的生精功能[动物学报49(3)：339—345，2003]。     

大鼠睾丸前促甲状腺激素释放激素原及其受体的表达与发育变化

为研究促甲状腺激素释放激素（thyrotrophin-releasing hormone,TRH)及其受体（TRH receptor,TRHR)在大鼠睾丸组织中的表达规律和在生殖发育调节中的作用,依据大鼠下丘脑中的前TRH原（PreproTRH,ppTRH)和垂体中的TRH－R cDNA设计引物,采用RT－PCR法从大鼠睾丸组织中获得了ppTRH和TRH－R的cDNA克隆,测序后构建表达载体,在大肠杆菌中表达了可溶性的pTRH t TRH-R融合蛋白,利用实时动态定量RT－PCR（real time quantitative RT-PCR)法观察了ppTRH和TRH－R在不同发育阶段大鼠睾丸中的表达变化,发现在睾丸间质细胞发育的初期阶段（第8天）,没有ppTRH和TRH－R的表达,但从第15天起能观察到pp-TRH和TRH－R的表达,并且表达量在20天,35天,60天和90天逐渐增加,这些结果表明：大鼠睾丸组织能特异性表达ppTRH和TRH－R,并且表达量与发育过程相关,ppTRH和TRH－R体外表达产物的获得为后续研究其功能奠定了基础。     

雌激素Beta受体在大鼠脑内表达的免疫组化定位研究

为了探讨雌激素作用于神经系统的机理,采用硫酸镍铵增强显色的免疫组化SP法研究了新的雌激素受体（ER－β）在成年雌雄大鼠脑内的分布。研究证实ER－β免疫阳性物质主要位于神经元的细胞核内,但在个别脑区也可在胞浆甚至突起内检测到。最强的ER－β免疫阳性信号见于前嗅核、大脑皮质、小脑浦肯野细胞、斜角带垂直部、蓝斑和三叉神经运动核等部位;中等强度的染色见于隔内侧核、杏仁外侧核、黑质、中央灰质等部位;较弱的阳性反应见于下丘脑与杏仁复合体的部分核团。在一些部位还存在表达水平甚至细胞内定位模式的性别差异,如前庭上核内的表达只见于雌性;雄性大鼠三叉神经运动核内ER－β蛋白主要表达于胞浆内,细胞核为阴性;而在雌性大鼠该部位ER－β蛋白主要位于细胞核等。以上结果表明ER－β蛋白在大鼠脑内分布广泛并具有一定的性别差异,在与学习记忆有关的脑区如大脑皮质和基底前脑内有很高的表达,提示在脑组织内雌激素可能通过ER－β这一新的信号途径发挥多种重要的调控作用,如学习记忆等。     

促甲状腺激素释放激素受体mRNA在大鼠睾丸中的表达(英文)

本应用原位杂交技术在大鼠睾丸恒冷箱切片上研究了促甲状腺激素释放激素受体（TRH－R）RNA的表达和定位。由DNA合成仪合成两个含48个碱基的寡核苷酸探针,两个探针分别与小鼠垂体TRH－R1005－1052和1332－1379区段的cDNA互补,生物素在5′末端标记寡核苷酸探针。结果显示TRH－R寡核苷酸探针与其互补的mRNA杂交信号集中在大鼠睾丸的间质细胞中,生精细胞地交信号,杂交信号的强度依探针浓度而增加,该结果表明RTH可能通过自分泌调节生殖功能和发育,TRH－R作用途径可能与在垂体的作用类似。     

棕色田鼠睾丸和附睾雄激素受体表达的增龄变化

应用免疫组织化学方法研究了1、10、25、45及60日龄（成体）5个发育阶段的棕色田鼠（Lasiopodomys mandarinus）睾丸和附睾中雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR）的表达。结果发现：①睾丸间质细胞中：1日龄有AR表达,至10日龄和25日龄AR表达减弱,45日龄AR表达最强,至成体AR表达又减弱（P＜0.05）;②肌样细胞中：从1日龄至成体均有AR表达,25日龄AR表达最弱,45日龄AR表达最强,至成体AR表达又减弱（P＜0.05）。③1日龄前精原细胞偶有AR表达,10日龄精原细胞没有AR表达;25日龄精子细胞有AR表达,45日龄精子细胞和部分精母细胞有AR表达,成体精原细胞和精母细胞及精子中有AR表达。④支持细胞中：性成熟前AR表达不明显,成体有AR表达。⑤从1日龄到成体,附睾中均有AR表达。这些结果表明,雄激素在棕色田鼠睾丸间质细胞、肌样细胞和生精细胞的表达随个体的发育阶段而变化;雄激素可促进青春期棕色田鼠间质细胞的功能与分化,肌样细胞在精子发生过程中有重要作用;同时,雄激素对附睾功能有调控作用。     

雄激素受体在大鼠睾丸中转录模式的分析

目的：研究Ar（雄激素受体）基因在大鼠睾丸组织中的转录模式。方法：取刚出生的雄性Wistar大鼠,于出生2~65日的不同时间点,脊椎脱臼处死3只不同窝别的幼鼠,提取睾丸组织总mRNA;将mRNA反转录成cDNA,随后采用Real-time PCR方法检测大鼠睾丸组织中Ar mRNA的转录情况。结果：Ar mRNA表达在出生后第2天开始缓慢上升到第16天达到最高值,第16天到第30天迅速下降,第31天出现一个小高峰后到第65天持续缓慢下降。结论：Ar基因在大鼠早期发育睾丸组织中表达量逐渐升高,可能与精原干细胞的增殖及初级精母细胞的发生相关。     

不同病理睾丸组织中雄激素受体和热休克蛋白90α表达的差异

目的检查和分析不同病理睾丸组织雄激素受体和热休克蛋白90α表达的差异.方法运用免疫组织化学二步法检查精子发生停滞、精原细胞瘤、前列腺癌去势和正常健康睾丸标本之雄激素受体和热休克蛋白90α的表达情况.结果正常睾丸组织和前列腺癌去势睾丸中雄激素受体在间质细胞、支持细胞和精原细胞的胞核表达,前者的表达强度高于后者(P<0.05);热休克蛋白90α主要在类肌细胞、间质细胞、支持细胞核及生精细胞的胞浆表达.精子发生阻滞的睾丸组织,雄激素受体主要在支持细胞的胞核和生精细胞的胞浆表达,热休克蛋白90α主要在支持细胞、类肌细胞表达;精原细胞瘤的睾丸组织,雄激素受体在肿瘤细胞的胞浆和胞核表达,热休克蛋白90α的表达强度在精原细胞瘤组织高于对照标本.结论雄激素受体核转运异常与精子发生阻滞有紧密关系;前列腺癌去势患者睾丸组织中,雄激素受体免疫反应强度减弱与睾丸衰老有关;精原细胞瘤患者睾丸标本,雄激素受体表达减弱,但热休克蛋白90α表达增强;提示雄激素受体和热休克蛋白90α的表达异常与精原细胞瘤的病理发生有关.     

棕色田鼠睾丸和附睾雌激素α受体表达的增龄变化

应用免疫组织化学方法系统研究了初生（1日龄）到成体（60日龄）5个发育阶段各6只棕色田鼠睾丸和附睾内雌激素受体α（ERα）的表达。结果发现：①在生殖细胞中,1日龄组幼鼠的生殖母细胞和支持细胞有微弱的ERa阳性表达,10日龄组精原细胞中ERa有弱表达,25日龄组精子细胞出现了较强ERα阳性表达,发育到45日龄时精子细胞ERα阳性表达最强,成体组中各级生精细胞中均有ERα阳性表达。②在间质细胞中,1日龄组间质前体细胞有ERα阳性表达,10日龄表达减弱,而到25日龄增强,至45日龄达到峰值,而成体又减弱。③附睾中,1日龄附睾上皮细胞有ERα阳性表达,10和25日龄附睾管类肌细胞出现ERα阳性表达,45日龄和成体附睾管上皮细胞和类肌细胞中均有ERα阳性表达。上述结果表明,ERα可能作为一种特异性受体在棕色田鼠睾丸发育过程中影响睾丸间质细胞雄激素的分泌,进而调节生精过程和精子的发育成熟。     

The role of ghrelin on the morphometry and intracellular changes in the rat testis

Recent studies have implicated the peripheral actions of ghrelin in reproductive tissues. Expression of the functional ghrelin receptor, GHS-R1a, has been shown in Sertoli and Leydig cells as well as seminiferous tubules. Therefore, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on morphometry of testicular cells and its probable intracellular alterations. Thirty 45-day male Wistar rats were scheduled for the study and were divided into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 1nmol of ghrelin was administered as sc injection for 10 consecutive days or vehicle (physiological saline) to the control rats. Testes were taken by killing of rats on days 5, 15 and 40 after last injection and underwent for photomicrograph and electronmicrograph evaluations as well as stereological estimations. Testicular histomorphometry revealed a significant decrease in the different cell types except for spermatogonia in the treatment animals (P<0.01). Such a cellular decrease was also found in the stereological estimations in this group. Likewise, seminiferous tubules diameter and their germinal epithelium thickness decreased in the treated rats (P<0.01). In intracellular observations, much vacuolated mitochondria, limited endoplasmic reticulum, lesser intracellular organels and several detachment areas between cell membrane and its basement membrane were detected in the ghrelin-treated group. These findings indicate that ghrelin has anti-proliferative effects on different testicular cell types and is a negative modulator of male reproductive system.     

Binding of [H]methyltrienolone to androgen receptor in rat liver

The synthetic androgen methyltrienolone is superior to testosterone and androstenedione for the measurement of androgen receptor in tissues where the native ligands are metabolized into inactive derivatives. [³H]Methyltrienolone binds with a high affinity to androgen receptor in cytosol prepared from male rat livers, as the Scatchard analysis revealed that the K_d value was 3.3 · 10⁻⁸ M and the number of binding sites was 35.5 fmol/mg protein. Since methyltrienolone also binds glucocorticoid receptor which exists in rat liver, the apparent binding of androgen receptor is faulty when measured in the presence of glucocorticoid receptor. The binding of methyltrienolone to glucocorticoid receptor can be blocked by the presence of a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled synthetic glucocorticoid, triamcinolone acetonide, without interfering in its binding to androgen receptor, because triamcinolone does not bind to androgen receptor. Triamcinolone-blocked cytosol exhibited that the K_d value was 2.5 · 10⁻⁸ M and the number of binding sites was 26.3 fmol/mg protein, indicating a reduction to of that in the untreated cytosol. The profile of glycerol gradient centrifiguration indicated that [³H]methyltriemolone-bound receptor migrated in the 8–9 S region in both untreated and triamcinolone-blocked cytosols, but the 8–9 S peak in triamcinolone-blocked cytosol was reduced to about of that of untreated cytosol.     

Macrophages in the interstitial tissue of the rat testis

Summary Macrophages were identified in the intertubular tissue of the rat testis by loading animals with a particulate vital dye (trypan blue or India ink) and by localizing immunocytochemically a macrophage membrane antigen (MRC W3/25). Leydig cells were identified by the histochemical staining reaction for 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and by a monoclonal antibody. Macrophages were scattered in the interstitial tissue closely attached to and mixed with the Leydig cells. They were never found in the seminiferous tubules. The macrophages comprised about 25% of all the cells in the interstitium. Double staining with a vital dye and a marker antibody showed that all the phagocytosing cells were macrophages and that the Leydig cells did not take up vital dyes. Double staining for the demonstration of the 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and the macrophage antigen likewise revealed two distinctly different cell populations. Crude Leydig cell preparations obtained by collagenase treatment of the testis contained macrophages (12–14%). Macrophages were present throughout the postnatal prepuberal development of the testis. Their density was increased in the cryptorchid and irradiated testis.     

Binding of [3H]methyltrienolone to androgen receptor in rat liver

The synthetic androgen methyltrienolone is superior to testosterone and androstenedione for the measurement of androgen receptor in tissues where the native ligands are metabolized into inactive derivatives. [³H]Methyltrienolone binds with a high affinity to androgen receptor in cytosol prepared from male rat livers, as the Scatchard analysis revealed that the K_d value was 3.3 · 10^?8 M and the number of binding sites was 35.5 fmol/mg protein. Since methyltrienolone also binds glucocorticoid receptor which exists in rat liver, the apparent binding of androgen receptor is faulty when measured in the presence of glucocorticoid receptor. The binding of methyltrienolone to glucocorticoid receptor can be blocked by the presence of a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled synthetic glucocorticoid, triamcinolone acetonide, without interfering in its binding to androgen receptor, because triamcinolone does not bind to androgen receptor. Triamcinolone-blocked cytosol exhibited that the K_d value was 2.5 · 10^?8 M and the number of binding sites was 26.3 fmol/mg protein, indicating a reduction to $\text{3}\text{4}$ of that in the untreated cytosol. The profile of glycerol gradient centrifiguration indicated that [³H]methyltriemolone-bound receptor migrated in the 8–9 S region in both untreated and triamcinolone-blocked cytosols, but the 8–9 S peak in triamcinolone-blocked cytosol was reduced to about $\text{3}\text{4}$ of that of untreated cytosol.     

Immunocytochemical evidence for the presence of oxytocin in rat testis

Summary The presence of oxytocin, vasopressin and neurophysin in the testis of adult Wistar and Brattleboro rats has been examined immunocytochemically. After fixation in modified Bouin's solution, or Bouin's sublimate fixative, immunostaining was accomplished with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The presence of immunoreactive oxytocin was demonstrated in 80% of the interstitial cell population of both rat strains while no staining was observed for vasopressin or neurophysin.     

Expression of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptors in rat testis and their role in isolated Leydig cells

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was initially discovered as a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus. Receptors for this hormone include TRH-receptor-1 (TRH-R1) and -2 (TRH-R2). Previous studies have shown that TRH-R1 and TRH-R2 are localized exclusively in adult Leydig cells (ALCs). We have investigated TRH-R1 and TRH-R2 expression in the testes of postnatal 8-, 14-, 21- 35-, 60-, and 90-day-old rats and in ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS)-treated adult rats by using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The effects of TRH on testosterone secretion of primary cultured ALCs from 90-day-old rats and DNA synthesis in Leydig cells from 21-day-old rats have also been examined. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that TRH-R1 and TRH-R2 were expressed in fetal Leydig cells (in 8-day-old rats) and in all stages of adult-type Leydig cells during development. Immunofluorescence double-staining revealed that newly regenerated Leydig cells in post-EDS 21-day rats expressed TRH-R1 and TRH-R2 on their first reappearance. Incubation with various doses of TRH affected testosterone secretion of primary cultured ALCs. Low concentrations of TRH (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 ng/ml) inhibited basal and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)-stimulated testosterone secretion of isolated ALCs, whereas relatively high doses of TRH (1 and 10 ng/ml) increased hCG-stimulated testosterone secretion. As detected by a 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation test, the DNA synthesis of Leydig cells from 21-day-old rats was promoted by low TRH concentrations. Thus, we have clarified the effect of TRH on testicular function: TRH might regulate the development of Leydig cells before maturation and the secretion of testosterone after maturation. This research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 39870109 and 30370750).     

Both estrogen receptors and androgen receptors contribute to testosterone-induced changes in the morphology of the medial amygdala and sexual arousal in male rats

In male rats, a steroid-sensitive circuit in the forebrain regulates mating behavior. The masculine phenotype in one component of the circuit, the posterodorsal nucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD), depends on the level of circulating androgens in the adult. To investigate which gonadal steroid receptor(s) mediate sexual arousal and MePD plasticity, adult male rats were castrated and given Silastic capsules containing the nonaromatizable androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17beta-estradiol (E2), both steroids, or nothing. A fifth group was sham-castrated and treated with blank capsules. DHT treatment was necessary and sufficient to maintain the expression of noncontact penile erections and ultrasonic vocalizations in castrates. E2 had no significant effect on these measures. Both DHT and E2 increased olfactory investigation ("nosepokes") during the noncontact penile erection test. E2, but not DHT, maintained intromission patterns, while either steroid, alone or in combination, maintained ejaculatory behavior. Regional volume and cell soma size of the MePD both decreased following castration. Additionally, MePD cell size was lateralized, with left hemisphere neurons larger than those on the right, an effect that appeared independent of steroid manipulations. DHT and E2 each maintained neuronal soma size. E2 maintained MePD regional volume more effectively in the left MePD than in the right, which may have been due to a greater sensitivity of the left to both castration and hormone treatment. Thus, both androgen receptors and estrogen receptors appear to participate in sexual behaviors that may be mediated by the MePD in adult rats, and both receptors contribute to the steroid-regulated structural plasticity in this brain region.