Study of the pathological effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin in rams

This experimental study was carried out on nine adult rams. Rams were injected intravenously with Escherichia coli endotoxin serotype 055:B5. The regimen of injections is described fully. Blood and semen samples were collected periodically to evaluate the changes in blood and semen picture. The reproductive as well as the visceral organs were collected and examined macroscopically and microscopically. The results of the study revealed that sperm cell abnormalities and serum testosterone level were increased, and sperm acrosomal abnormalities were significantly increased. The total leucocytic count was significantly decreased. The histopathological examination revealed severe testicular degeneration in addition to various other lesions in the visceral organs. Scanning electron microscope of the sperm cells revealed detached acrosomes, knobbed acrosomes and coiled tails.     

Comparison of the structure of chinchilla sperm isolated from semen and from the tail of the epididymis

Sperm cells isolated from the tail of the epididymis and from the semen of the same individuals were analysed. The use of silver nitrate to stain sperm cells isolated from the tail of the epididymis made it possible to identify structures that were not visible in the sperm from semen. Silver nitrate very clearly distinguished the acrosomal and distal parts of the sperm head. Following silver nitrate staining, the sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis were characterized by dark ‘collars’ in the distal part of the head. These ‘collars’ are not visible in the sperm cells isolated from semen. The results of the study indicate differences in the dimensions of sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis and sperm in semen. Sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis had smaller heads, despite their longer length, and had longer midpieces and tails than ejaculate sperm. Silver nitrate staining is a simple and fast technique. Silver nitrate makes it possible to identify the acrosome and post-acrosomal region of the sperm head and to clearly identify the midpiece. Therefore, it can be successfully used to supplement routine techniques for evaluating sperm morphology or as an independent technique.     

Assessment of the morphology of frozen-thawed bull sperm in relation to its cryopreservation for artificial insemination

The morphology of sperm in raw semen was compared with that of the live sperm in semen which had been frozen and thawed. The thawed semen was stained with 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide and examined by fluorescence microscopy; smears of the raw semen were stained with eosin and nigrosin. Thirty-four ejaculates from 24 bulls of various breeds were examined. There were fewer abnormal heads, detached heads, coiled tails and proximal cytoplasmic droplets/pseudodroplets in the thawed semen than in the raw semen, there was no change in the number of bent tails, but the number of distal cytoplasmic droplets/pseudodroplets increased. There were no significant differences in morphology between ejaculates which passed or failed the osmotic resistance test after thawing, but failed batches tended to have more distal cytoplasmic droplets/pseudodroplets.     

A sperm tail defect associated with infertility in a goat--case report.

Semen of an infertile Dutch White (Saanenthal) goat buck was examined. Light and electron microscopic examinations showed aberrations of the sperm tails resembling the so-called Dag or Dag-like defects described in several cattle breeds. Ejaculated semen showed that virtually all of the cells had strongly coiled or broken tails, or fractured midpieces. Ultrastructural investigations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed uneven distribution of the mitochondria in the midpiece. Coiled tails were encapsulated by a common membrane, and dislocated axial fibres and different membranous structures were also present. The ultrastructural characteristics of the defective sperm tails, the missing parts of the axial fibre bundle and the misalignment of the mitochondria indicate that this first case reported in goat is similar to the Dag-like defect in cattle.     

Immunohistochemical study of galectin-3 in mature and immature bull testis and epididymis

Galectin-3, a member of the β-galactoside-binding protein family, has been implicated in mammalian sperm maturation. We examined galectin-3 expression in the testis and epididymis of sexually mature and immature bulls. Western blot analysis showed varying levels of galectin-3 in the bull testis and epididymis, and galectin-3 immunoreactivity was higher in the mature testis and epididymis than in immature organs. Galectin-3 was primarily localized in interstitial cells of the immature bull testis and in the peritubular myoid and interstitial cells of the mature testis. In the immature epididymis head, galectin-3 was primarily in the principal and basal cells of the epithelium. In the mature epididymis head, moderate levels of galectin-3 were detected in the sperm, while low levels were found in the stereocilia, epithelium and connective tissue. In the immature epididymis body, moderate protein levels were detected in the principal cells, while lower levels were found in the basal cells. The mature epididymis body showed moderate levels of galectin-3 immunostaining in the stereocilia and epithelium, but low levels in the connective tissue. In the immature epididymis tail, only low levels of galectin-3 staining were found in the epithelium, whereas the mature epididymis tail showed high levels of galectin-3 in the principal cells, moderate levels in the basal cells and low levels in connective tissue. These findings suggest that galectin-3 expression plays a role in the maturation and activation of sperm in bulls.     

ART3抑制剂3-MBA对小鼠睾丸生精功能的影响

旨在探究ADP-核糖基转移酶3(ADP-ribosyl transferase 3,ART3)调控精子发生机制,为改善精液品质,提高家畜繁殖性能提供理论依据。本试验设计了3个ART3抑制剂3-甲氧基苯甲酰胺(3-methoxybenzamide, 3-MBA)浓度梯度(0.302、0.906和1.510 mg·mL^-1),分别对6～8周龄小鼠进行睾丸注射,并于注射后3 h、6 h、12 h、1 d、2 d、3 d和5 d采集小鼠睾丸和附睾组织,将睾丸组织制成石蜡切片进行HE染色,并对附睾尾精子进行动力学和形态学分析。结果发现,0.302 mg·mL^-13-MBA浓度组于注射后3 d小鼠睾丸曲细精管内空泡面积达到最大化,生精细胞减少,且排布散乱不规则,注射后5 d空泡面积减小,生精细胞有恢复趋势,而0.906和1.510 mg·mL^-1浓度组于注射后5 d空泡面积最大化,曲细精管出现空管现象;3个剂量组小鼠附睾尾精子密度、活力及前向运动精子均呈时间依赖性降低,畸形精子随时间推移逐渐增加,且精子尾部出现断裂、弯折和卷曲等异常...     

Abaxial tail attachment of bovine spermatozoa and its effect on fertility

The prevalence of abaxial sperm tails, accessory tails and double tails, was determined from semen evaluation records of 600 western Canadian range bulls and 449 bulls in Canadian artificial insemination centers. Spermatozoa with abaxial tails were produced by 10.5% of bulls, however, only 0.48% produced sperm with greater than 50% abaxial tails, and 0.86% of the 1049 bulls produced sperm with accessory and double tails. Three experiments were done to determine the importance of abaxial sperm tails to fertility. In experiments 1 and 2, frozen semen with 88%, 50% and 0% abaxial tails was used to inseminate synchronized heifers, which were allowed to develop pregnancy, and superovulated heifers, which were slaughtered prior to embryo recovery seven days after breeding. In experiment 3, a bull which produced 100% abaxial sperm was used in a competitive mating situation with three control bulls in a herd of 118 cows. The combined results of these experiments indicate that spermatozoa with abaxial tail attachment fertilize ova at a normal rate and are not associated with any increase in embryonic death.     

Effects of exposure to genistein during pubertal development on the reproductive system of male mice

Genistein, a soybean-originated isoflavone, is widely consumed by humans for putative beneficial health effects but its estrogenic activity may affect adversely the development of the male reproductive system. Twenty-one days old ICR mice weaned from dams fed with a casein-based AIN-76A diet during gestation and lactation were exposed to genistein (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 5 weeks. 17beta-Estradiol (7.5 microg/kg/day) and corn oil were used for the positive and negative vehicle controls, respectively. The animals were fed the casein-based AIN-76A diet throughout the experiment. There were no significant differences in body weights of mice between the genistein groups and the negative control group. No significant differences in relative reproductive organ weights were found among all experimental groups. Sperm counts in epididymis and testes were slightly decreased in the genistein-exposed groups compared with control group. Sperm motile characteristics in genistein-exposed groups were slightly higher than those of the control group. Levels of phospholipid hydroxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA in the testis, epididymis, and prostate of mice exposed to genistein or estradiol were significantly higher than those of the controls (P<0.05). Exposure to genistein caused hyperplasia of Leydig cells in the testis and a slight increase of interstitial fibroblasts in the epididymis, while estradiol treatment caused severe damage to the testis and epididymis. These results suggest that dietary uptake of genistein during the juvenile period may affect male reproductive development, resulting in a slight decrease in sperm count, but with an increase in sperm motion quality.     

β防御素126在成年公山羊组织中的表达特性

为研究成年公山羊不同组织中β防御素126(gDB126)的表达特点,采集健康公山羊睾丸、附辜头、附睾体、附睾尾等生殖器官,以及心、肝、脾、肺、肾等组织器官,采用qRT-PCR探究gDB126mRNA的表达情况。结果显示:gDB126在公山羊生殖器官(输精管、附睾体、附睾尾)中大量表达,尤其在附睾尾1的表达量最高,而在泌尿器官(膀胱、肾上腺、肾脏)和消化器官(肠淋巴、回肠、甲状腺、空肠、十二指肠、食管、腮腺、皱胃)中微量表达另外gDB126在肺中也有较高表达。推测gDB126不仅与动物的抗菌作用相关,还可能与精子发生、运输、贮存、成熟有关。     

Relationship between angioarchitecture of the testicular artery and spermiogram parameters in Egyptian buffalo bulls (bubalus bubalis)

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of testicular artery angioarchitecture on the spermiogram parameters in Egyptian Buffalo bulls. Eight adult buffalo bulls aged between 2 and 8 years were used for semen evaluation. For anatomical studies, the masculine gonads were collected after slaughtering 30 adult bulls and prepared for injection by different masses (Urographine^®, Latex and Epoxy) through the testicular artery. The mass activity of the ejaculate was assessed immediately after collection. The sperm motility in fresh bull ejaculate was more than 80%. The overall mean percentage of sperm abnormalities was <18%. The recorded sperm abnormalities were mostly secondary one including distal protoplasmic droplet, fragmented tail, detached head, detached galea capitis and bent tail. The highest percentage of sperm viability was recorded just after sperm collection (alive > 85%). The results revealed that testicular artery can be divided into three parts (abdominal, funicular and marginal parts) along its course. The coils of the funicular part forming a cone-like structure with its base fixed to the head of the testis. Two epididymal branches to the head and tail of epididymis emanate from the funicular part which continues as pars marginalis on the lateral surface of testis before its division into the lateral and medial testicular arteries on approaching the tail extremity of the testis. The increase in the length of the testicular artery with increase in the size of the testes played a great role in the degree of complexity of the architectural vascular patterns. The degree of complexity is affected by the number of coils formed by the vessel. The increase in the convolutions of the vessel will reduce the speed of blood flow to the gonads. Thus in turn will enabling the thermoregulatory mechanism to work more efficiently and will affect the semen value.     

Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures,semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) on testicle and epididymis biometrics, semen characteristics and testosterone level in Egyptian Jack. This study was conducted on 50 mature Jacks divided according to their body condition score into four groups: Poor (G1), moderate (G2), good (G3) and fat (G4). The complete testis was collected immediately after execution in the Giza Zoo abattoir; then, the epididymis was carefully dissected at the testicular junction. Biometrical measures including length, weight and volume were determined for the right and left testis and epididymis. Also, epididymal sperm was collected from all examined animas and evaluated for sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability and sperm abnormalities. Serum samples were collected for determination of total testosterone level. Results showed that the body condition score of the examined animal affects their biometrical measure of testicles and epididymis. There is a significant decrease (p < .05) in biometrical measures for the testicles and epididymis, sperm concentration, motility, viability and testosterone level in poor BCS animals (G1). The highest values were recorded in Good BCS (G3) Jacks. Conclusion: Jacks with good BCS (G3) should be selected for breeding activity in donkey.     

性成熟前不同日龄伊拉兔睾丸和附睾形态学与组织学特征

【目的】探究不同日龄伊拉兔睾丸和附睾组织在性成熟前的变化规律,为其初情期及性成熟的判定提供组织学依据。【方法】将45只伊拉兔随机分为9组,每组5只,从30日龄开始每隔15日采集1组试验兔的睾丸及其附睾,运用形态学与组织解剖学方法对其生长发育规律进行研究分析。【结果】随着日龄的增加,睾丸指数、睾丸重、睾丸长径、睾丸短径及厚径等指标逐步增加,且150日龄时各指标均显著高于其他组(P<0.05);30、45、60日龄睾丸内生精小管排列稀疏,75、90、105日龄时睾丸间质成分逐渐增多,管腔逐步形成,120、135、150日龄时间质细胞进一步增生并成群分布,90日龄起出现圆形和长形未成型精子,120日龄的睾丸生精小管、附睾管腔中出现少量成型精子,150日龄时有大量精子密集分布于睾丸管腔内,且在120、135、150日龄时生精小管面积、上皮细胞厚度、支持细胞数均显著大于其他组(P<0.05);30日龄以上各组间质细胞个数在各组间差异不显著(P>0.05),但均显著高于30日龄;120、135、150日龄时附睾头、体、尾的直径均极显著高于其他组(P<0.05),而附睾头的柱...     

基于RNA-seq数据筛选鸡睾丸附睾间差异表达基因及其功能分析

本文旨在通过对种公鸡睾丸和附睾进行转录组测序和生物信息学分析,筛选出2种组织中的差异表达基因并分析其生物学功能,探究睾丸和附睾在鸡精子发生和成熟过程中的作用.本研究共以8只公鸡的睾丸和附睾组织为对象,采用RNA-seq技术分析2种组织中的基因表达情况,筛选出差异表达基因并对差异表达基因进行GO和KEGG通路富集分析.结...     

Reproductive disorders in pubertal and adult phase of the male rats exposed to vinclozolin during puberty

Vinclozolin (VCZ) is a systemic dicarboximide fungicide with antiandrogenic activity. Reproductive toxicity of VCZ was investigated in male rats exposed to VCZ during puberty. Sprague-Dawley male rats aged with 35 days were assigned to six different groups; negative control, positive control receiving flutamide (100 mg/kg), VCZ (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and a combination of VCZ (200 mg/kg) + methyltestosterone (100 mg/kg). The animals were treated with test compounds by oral gavage daily during 35 to 44 days of age. In pubertal rats sacrificed on the next day after final treatment, VCZ or flutamide-treated group showed a decrease in weights of prostate, epididymis, and seminal vesicle, hypertrophy of Leydig cells in the testis, detached debris and sloughed cells in the tubules of the caput epididymis, and an increase in serum testosterone levels. On the other hand, combined treatment of VCZ + methyltestosterone decreased testicular weight, increased seminal vesicle weight, and induced degeneration of spermatocytes. In adult rats sacrificed at five weeks after final treatment, flutamide decreased testicular sperm counts, and VCZ, flutamide and VCZ + methyltestosterone also decreased epididymal sperm counts. In addition, treatment of VCZ (400 mg) or VCZ + methyltestosterone decreased some motion kinematic parameters of sperms including curvilinear velocity, mean angular displacement and lateral head displacement. Flutamide treatment also decreased lateral head displacement. These results indicate that VCZ exposure during pubertal period in male rats causes reproductive disorders in puberty and adulthood.     

Effects of exposure to genistein and estradiol on reproductive development in immature male mice weaned from dams adapted to a soy-based commercial diet

Genistein, a soybean-originated isoflavone, is widely consumed by humans for putative beneficial health effects but its estrogenic activity may adversely affect the development of male reproductive system. Twenty one-day-old ICR mice weaned from dams fed with a soybean-based diet throughout gestation and lactation were exposed by gavage to genistein (2.5 mg/kg b.w./day) or 17beta-estradiol (7.5 microg/kg b.w./day) for five weeks. Corn oil was used as a negative control. The animals were fed with a casein-based AIN-76A diet throughout the experimental periods. There were no significant differences in body and organ weights of mice among experimental groups. No significant differences in sperm counts and sperm motile characteristics were found between control and genistein groups. Treatment of 17beta-estradiol caused a significant decrease in prostate weight and epididymal sperm counts compared to the control (p<0.05). The levels of phospholipid hydroxide glutathione peroxidase in the testis and prostate of mice exposed to genistein or 17beta-estradiol were significantly higher than that of the control mice (p<0.05). 17beta-estradiol treatment caused degeneration and apoptosis of germ cells in the testis, depletion and degeneration in the epididymal epithelium, and hyperplasia of mucosal fold region in the prostate of mice. Genistein treatment did not cause any lesion in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. These results suggest that dietary uptake of genistein during juvenile period may not affect male reproductive development and functions.     

Immunolocalization of the Cholesterol Transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 in Canine Reproductive Tract Tissues and Spermatozoa

The mammalian sperm membrane undergoes cholesterol efflux during maturation and fertilization. Although ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters are known to transport cholesterol through cell membranes in other organs, their presence in canine testis, epididymis and sperm has not been proven to date. Hence, the aim of the present study was to localize the ABC transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 in canine testicular and epididymidal tissue as well as in spermatozoa membranes. To this end, semen samples from 12 dogs as well as testicles and epididymides of four young and healthy dogs were prepared for immunohistochemistry, respectively. Capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR) were induced in aliquots of the semen samples before immunostaining to assess changes in the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1. Evaluation by confocal microscopy revealed the presence of both ABCA1 and ABCG1 in canine testicles and of ABCA1 in the epididymides. In spermatozoa, only ABCA1 immunoreactivity was detected, mainly in the region of the acrosome and midpiece. After induction of capacitation, ABCA1 signal persisted in the acrosome but disappeared after AR, indicating a loss of ABCA1 with the loss of the acrosome. We conclude that ABCA1 and ABCG1 are expressed in canine testis, whereas only ABCA1 is expressed in epididymis and spermatozoa membrane, both transporters probably contributing to the regulation of membrane cholesterol content.     

伊维菌素对雄性大白鼠生育功能的影响

探讨伊维菌素对雄性动物生殖功能的影响,为临床用药安全和动物繁殖提供依据。试验选取成年雄性大白鼠,按照0.17 mg/kg（低剂量组）,3 mg/kg（中剂量组）,5 mg/kg（高剂量组）的剂量分别进行灌胃,对照组以生理盐水代替药物进行灌胃。末次给药后24 h处死大鼠,取睾丸、附睾进行生殖系统毒性检查。试验结果表明：当伊维菌素用药剂量达到3 mg/kg以上就呈现出一定的生殖毒性,睾丸系数、附睾系数下降,精子密度和精子活率下降,但对精子活力并没影响,4个试验组均未显示与剂量的相关性。     

Expression of constitutive endothelial, neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the testis and epididymis of horse

The expression of three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were examined in the testis and epididymis of a thoroughbred horse. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of eNOS immunostaining in some germ cells in the seminiferous tubules and in vascular endothelial cells in the interstitial tissues. Interstitial cells, most likely Leydig cells, were also intensely immunopositive for eNOS. The pattern of immunostaining for nNOS was similar to that for eNOS in the testis. Weak expression of iNOS was detected in the seminiferous tubules of the testis, but intense expression was found in interstitial cells. Inducible NOS was also strongly detected in stereocilia, sperm, epithelium and connective tissue of the epididymis of normal horses. These findings suggest that three isoforms of NOS are expressed in the testis and epididymis of horse and that they play important roles in the biology of interstitial cells that produce testosterone, as well as in spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules.     

Decreased sperm number and motile activity on the F1 offspring maternally exposed to butyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid (butyl paraben)

Butyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid (butyl paraben, BP) is widely used as a preservative in food and cosmetic products. Routledge et al showed that BP is weakly estrogenic in both in vitro and in vivo (rat uterotrophic) analyses. We investigated whether maternal exposures to BP during gestation and lactation periods affected the development of the reproductive organs of the F1 offspring. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with 100 or 200 mg/kg of BP from gestation day (GD) 6 to postnatal day (PND) 20. In the group exposed to 200 mg/kg of BP, the proportion of pups born alive and the proportion of pups surviving to weaning were decreased. The body weights of female offspring were significantly decreased at PND 49. The weights of testes, seminal vesicles and prostate glands were significantly decreased in rats exposed to 100 mg/kg of BP on PND 49. In contrast, the weights of female reproductive organs were not affected by BP. The sperm count and the sperm motile activity in the epididymis were significantly decreased at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg of BP. In accordance with the sperm count in the epididymis, the number of round spermatids and elongated spermatids in the seminiferous tubule (stage VII) were significantly decreased by BP. Testicular expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ER-beta mRNA was significantly increased in 200 mg/kg of BP treated group at PND 90. Taken together, these results indicated that maternal exposure of BP might have adverse effects on the F1 male offspring.