Testicular degeneration and necrosis induced by dietary cobalt

Dietary cobalt (265 ppm Co) induced polycythemia and consistent degenerative and necrotic lesions in the seminiferous tubules of rats. Cyanosis and engorgement of testicular vasculature on day 35 and thereafter was followed on day 70 by degenerative and necrotic changes in the germinal epithelium and Sertoli cells. Spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and round spermatids were markedly affected, while elongated spermatids, spermatozoa, and sertoli cells were more resistant. Damaged tubules, often present side by side with normal tubules, contained multinucleated giant cells composed of degenerated and necrotic spermatocytes and/or spermatids, sloughed germinal and Sertoli cells, and calcified necrotic debris. Necrotic tubules were frequently collapsed and devoid of epithelium except for occasional spermatogonia and surviving Sertoli cells. Lesions were not observed in the Leydig cells, cauda epididymis or seminal vesicles.     

Ultrastructural alterations in the kidneys of Pekin ducks fed methylmercury.

Ultrastructural alterations in the kidneys of Pekin ducks were studied after subchronic exposure to methylmercury chloride. Twenty-four male and twenty-four female Pekin ducks, 12 weeks of age were fed 0.0 (control), 0.5, 5.0 and 15.0 parts per million of MeHgCl, mixed in a mash diet for 12 weeks. Birds were observed for clinical signs daily. Kidneys were fixed in situ by perfusion with 4% glutaraldehyde in 0.05 M phosphate buffer and routinely processed for electron microscopy. Only minor morphological changes were observed in the renal corpuscle of ducks in the 0.5 ppm group. The component cells of the renal corpuscle in the 5.0 and 15.0 ppm groups showed several ultrastructural alterations, including an increase in number and size of lysosomes and vacuoles in podocytes and mild vacuolation in mesangial cells. The juxtaglomerular cells of afferent arterioles had crystallized granules. No significant changes were observed in glomerular basement membrane thickness and width of podocyte pedicels. The proximal tubules of the 5.0 and 15.0 ppm groups showed some microvillar loss and an increase in the number and size of lipid droplets, vacuoles and lysosomal bodies. The distal tubular changes in the 5.0 and 15 ppm groups included electron lucency and vacuolation of cytoplasm as well as occasional mitochondrial swelling. The collecting ducts of 5.0 ppm and 15.0 ppm groups showed varying degrees of degenerative changes in both mucus secretory as well as absorptive cells. These results suggest that subchronic exposure of Pekin ducks to methylmercury chloride causes subtle ultrastructural changes in renal corpuscle and marked ultrastructural changes in proximal tubules and collecting ducts.     

The morphological postnatal development of the testis of the Nubian bucks

This study was designed to monitor the morphological development of the reproductive tract of the Nubian bucks in relation to puberty. Thirty-two Nubain male kids were used in the study. The animals were slaughtered at intervals of 2 weeks starting from 1 day old up to 24 weeks of age. Tissue samples were obtained from the testes and processed for ultrastructural studies. The boundary tissue of the newly forming seminiferous tubule adhered closely to the basal lamina. It consisted of a single continuous layer of myoid cells, the outer surface of which was covered by scattered fibroblasts. The ultrastructural study of the boundary of the seminiferous tubule revealed that it consisted of three layers; inner fibrous, middle and outer cellular. The seminiferous tubules at week one were lined by two layers of epithelia; spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in the basal layer, and primary spermatocytes in the second layer. A gradual increase in the diameter of the tubules and epithelial height continued to increase with age. Furthermore, spermatocytes number showed an increase with age. In conclusion, based on the appearance of spermatozoa in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules, puberty age was achieved between weeks 18 and 20.     

Morphological study of metaphase-specific apoptosis in MRL mouse testis

Apoptosis of male germ cells is a complex phenomenon in many animal species. Understanding its mechanisms could be useful in the diagnosis and therapy of male infertility. To examine the differences of distribution of apoptosis among mouse strains, the terminal transferase-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) method was employed. In the testes of MRL mice, many TUNEL-positive cells were identified at the metaphases of meiotic spermatocytes. Morphometrical analysis revealed that metaphase-specific apoptosis occurred at the region between secondary spermatocytes and step 1 spermatids in stage XII seminiferous tubules. In the investigation of the developing first-wave of seminiferous tubules, there were some metaphases showing apoptotic morphology prior to becoming secondary spermatocytes. Details of the apoptotic structure revealed by electron microscopy showed that cellular arrest occurred after the beginning of the M phase of the cell cycle. These results suggested that metaphase-specific apoptosis in the testis of the MRL mouse strain took place at least at the first meiotic division, perhaps showing the spindle assembly checkpoint of the cell cycle.     

2岁日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学结构研究

为了探明日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学特征,本实验测量了2岁雄性日本猴及睾丸的基础形态和参数,并通过石蜡切片,苏木精一伊红染色法研究了睾丸的组织学结构。结果发现,2岁幼年日本猴睾丸平均长轴长11．9mm,短轴平均长7．0mm,重0．3073g。光镜下可见幼年日本猴睾丸组织结构明显,有睾丸纵隔、小叶和曲精细管,曲细精管未形成管腔,管内主要是单层排列的精原细胞,未见明显的支持细胞、初级精母细胞、精细胞和精子。本实验为进一步研究日本猴的繁殖性能,保护日本猴这种濒危动物提供了参考。     

羊驼睾丸细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白的定位

本研究旨在观察羊驼睾丸的出生后发育和精子发生过程中的细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白Bcl2和Caspase3 的定位.取材新生、12月龄和24月龄羊驼的睾丸,用TUNEL法检测睾丸发育和精子发生过程的细胞凋亡,用免疫组织化学技术检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl2和Caspase3在羊驼出生后发育和精子发生过程中的定位.结果显示在新生羊驼睾丸未检测到TUNEL阳性细胞,Caspase3和Bcl2表达于间质细胞,提示在新生期凋亡蛋白参与间质细胞凋亡的调节,为曲精小管的发育提供空间;12月龄羊驼睾丸TUNEL阳性细胞定位于曲精小管中央部分,Caspase3 和Bcl2定位于间质细胞和曲精小管中央生殖细胞,提示在青春期(12月龄)羊驼睾丸,细胞凋亡和凋亡相关蛋白参与曲精小管管腔形成的调节;24月龄羊驼睾丸TUNEL阳性细胞定位于精原细胞、精母细胞和精子细胞,Caspase3 和Bcl2定位于间质细胞和各个发育阶段的生精细胞,Caspase3阳性细胞在精原细胞最高,向精母细胞和精子细胞逐渐减少,Bcl2在精原细胞弱阳性表达,在血睾屏障以内的曲精小管近腔室部分呈弥散性强阳性表达,提示在性成熟(24月龄)羊驼睾丸精子发生过程中,细胞凋亡主要发生于精原细胞和早期精母细胞,Bcl2可能抑制精母细胞之后生殖细胞的凋亡.结果提示在羊驼睾丸出生后发育和精子发生过程中存在细胞凋亡现象;凋亡蛋白Caspase3和Bcl2参与羊驼睾丸发育和精子发生过程中细胞凋亡的调节.     

Immunohistochemical study of osteopontin in boar testis

The expression of osteopontin (OPN) in boar testis was studied. Western blot analysis detected 66- and 32-kDa OPN immunopositive bands in the testes of adult boars. In postnatal piglets, the 66-kDa OPN band was detected in the testes, but not the 32-kDa band. In the newborn testis, OPN immunostaining was seen in gonocytes and in some supporting cells in the seminiferous tubules, as well as in interstitial Leydig cells. In the adult boar testis, OPN immunoreactivity was detected in seminiferous tubules with varying intensities. Intense OPN immunostaining was seen in the residual bodies and acrosomes in the spermatids while, occasionally, OPN immunostaining was seen in spermatogonia and various stage of spermatocytes but in few Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules. In addition, Leydig cells in adult boars were weakly immunostained with OPN. These findings suggest that OPN is detected in the majority of germ cells and is involved in spermatogenesis in boar testis.     

Spontaneous Accumulation of Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in Proximal Renal Tubules in an ICR Mouse

This report describes spontaneous cytoplasmic vacuolation in the proximal renal tubules of a 7-week-old male ICR [Crlj:CD1(ICR)] mouse. The contents of vacuoles were positively stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Sudan black, and the membranes were positive on immunohistochemical staining for lysosomal-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2), a marker of lysosomal membrane. Electron microscopy revealed electron-dense lamellar bodies in the proximal tubular epithelial cells. These histopathological features are similar to those in α-galactosidase A-deficient mice, in which globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), a glycosphingolipid, accumulates in lysosomes. When we performed immunohistochemical staining for Gb3, the contents of vacuoles were positively stained. From these results, spontaneous cytoplasmic vacuolation in the proximal renal tubules in the mouse was identified as lysosomal accumulation of Gb3.     

纳米硒对波尔山羊睾丸发育的影响

为了研究日粮中添加纳米硒对公羊睾丸发育的影响,试验选用体重、日龄接近的20只波尔山羊公羔羊随机分2组,1组日粮中添加0.3mg/kg的纳米硒(以硒计),另一组饲喂基础日粮,预试2周,试验期每月测量睾丸周径、长度和高度,每组阉割1只公羔,按照常规方法制作石蜡切片,观察睾丸组织结构。结果显示,3月龄时纳米硒组睾丸间质组织增生发育,4月龄时纳米硒组睾丸曲精细管中精原细胞开始发育分化;5月龄时曲精细管中可见大量的精子,而对照组间质组织以及曲精细管发育、精母细胞发育分化较纳米硒组缓慢。试验表明,日粮中添加一定浓度的纳米硒能够促进睾丸间质组织及曲精细管的发育,促进精母细胞的分化。     

Fasciola hepatica: a light and electron microscope study of sustentacular tissue and heterophagy in the testis

In order to investigate cytolytic activity in the testis of Fasciola hepatica, flukes belonging to several different triclabendazole (TCBZ)-sensitive and TCBZ-resistant isolates, and wild-type flukes from field infections, were studied by light and electron microscopy with a view to identifying sites of heterophagy and macromolecular hydrolysis. At the periphery of the testis tubules in all the flukes examined, large euchromatic nuclei, each bearing a prominent nucleolus, were seen. These were invested with a thin cytoplasmic layer, extensions of which partially enveloped and probably supported the neighbouring spermatogonia. No lateral cell boundaries were identified in this tissue, possibly indicating syncytial organisation. The tissue, considered to be analogous to Sertoli cells in vertebrate testis, was identified as sustentacular tissue. It displayed cytoplasmic features consistent with protein/glycoprotein synthesis (through a granular endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi mediated mechanism) and intracellular digestion/heterophagy (through a lysosomal system). The intracytoplasmic hydrolytic activity of the sustentacular tissue probably serves to scavenge effete cells and cytoplasmic debris, to recycle useful molecules, to promote spermatozoon maturation and possibly to aid osmoregulation within the tubules. Certain protein-containing macromolecules synthesised in the sustentacular tissue may contribute to the seminiferous fluid, or have pheromonal activity. The presence of numerous mitochondria and abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum is consistent with facilitation of inward and outward movement of micromolecular nutrients, metabolites including excretory products and water. In the sustentacular tissue of certain flukes with dysfunctional spermiogenesis, there was increased heterophagic and cytolytic scavenging activity. The cytoplasmic residual vacuoles remaining after the release of spermatids were also identified as possible sites for lysosome-mediated intracellular digestion and osmoregulation in the testis tubules of F. hepatica.     

Ultrastructure of Leukocytes in Acutely Inflamed Dermis and Muscle of Channel Catfish at Different Temperatures

Abstract

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were acclimated for 35 d at 21°C, 15°C, and 9°C. Fish were injected 3 mm beneath the skin surface with 15 μL of turpentine, and inflamed skin and muscle samples were excised after 48 and 72 h for ultrastructural examination. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages were present in the inflamed tissues at all times and temperatures; eosinophils and basophils were not found. Neutrophils were identified by their oval-to-elongate granules with a striated or crystalline core, heavy deposits of glycogen, longitudinal cristae of the mitochondria, and eccentrically located nuclei. Macrophages were distinguished by their numerous pseudopodia, vacuoles, lysosomes, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Lymphocytes were distinguished by their chromatin-dense nucleus, numerous free ribosomes, and small volume of cytoplasm. Neutrophils were the most common inflammatory cell present, and there were no apparent differences in relative abundance within the inflammatory foci of fish acclimated to the three temperatures. Compared with neutrophils in peripheral blood, neutrophils in inflamed tissues had comparatively rare, swollen mitochondria, and cytoplasmic tubules were not observed. A few neutrophils had vacuoles, phagosomes, or pseudopodia. Lymphocytes in inflamed foci did not contain a Golgi apparatus, granules, vacuoles, or vesicles and had less cytoplasm than did lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Macrophages were the rarest type of inflammatory cell within inflamed areas and differed from peripheral blood monocytes in that macrophages contained numerous lysosomes and vacuoles. No structural differences were associated with particular temperatures for any type of leukocyte.     

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...     

啶虫脒通过氧化应激损害小鼠睾丸的超微结构

旨在研究啶虫脒对雄性小鼠睾丸支持细胞和生精细胞的损害作用是否与氧化应激有关.将50只成年昆明雄鼠(25～30 g)随机分成5组,灌喂方式给药,所有实验动物连续灌喂35 d,通过电镜观察睾丸超微结构的变化,并检测一氧化氮合酶(NOS)、羟自由基、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)的变化确定抗氧化能力的变化.观察睾丸的超微结构发现,啶虫脒组小鼠睾丸的支持细胞胞质中内质网扩张,溶酶体数量减少;初级精母细胞的细胞核溶解,染色质异常聚集,线粒体固缩,细胞器较少;精子细胞的核染色质异常聚集,精子细胞内出现明显染色质样小体,线粒体固缩明显.此外,啶虫脒能引起睾丸中总一氧化氮合酶(TNOS)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iN-OS)的活性及产生羟自由基的能力升高(P＜0.05),GSH和T-AOC活性降低(P＜0.05).维生素E能够明显降低啶虫脒对睾丸超微结构的损害作用.研究结果表明啶虫脒通过诱导氧化应激对小鼠睾丸的超微结构产生损害作用.     

Morphological features of the seminiferous epithelium in cat (Felis catus, L. 1758) testes

The aim of the present study was to assess the changes in the germinal epithelium in cats of different ages. Routine histological staining was applied to perform morphological and stereological examinations. The animals were divided into five groups according to age: under 8 months (n=28), 8-12 months (n=30), 12-36 months (n=33), 3-6 years (n=14) and older than 6 years (n=13). The appearance of the gonads of the males in the first group varied the most. The seminiferous tubules of the youngest cats consisted of a monolayer of supporting cells and a few spermatogonia. No tubular lumina were present, and the diameters of the seminiferous tubules reached 132.5 microm. We noted the typical arrangement of gametogenic cells with a tubule diameter of 191.83 microm in the second group. We observed multilayer germinal epithelia with the most significant production of gametes and a seminiferous tubule diameter of 202.61 microm in the third group. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules of the forth and fifth groups were 193.38 microm and 191.84 microm, respectively. The obtained data revealed that the most intensive morphological diversification of the seminiferous epithelium in cats occurs at about 7-8 months of age. The diameters of seminiferous tubules were highest in the third group of cats, and the activity of spermatogenesis of this group, expressed as the number of sperm per 10 mm(2), was also the most distinctive. The spermatogenesis process was most evident in cats between 12 and 36 months of age, which was also when the sperm concentration was highest per estimated surface.     

Testicular damage after exposure to carbendazim depends on the number of patent efferent ductules.

To study how long-term testicular damage depends on the patency of the efferent ductules (EFDs), rat testes and epididymides were examined after a single exposure to carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate; MBC). The number of patent EFDs was determined in sections of the caput epididymides at 8, 16, 32 and 70 days post-treatment, and the testes were grouped into the following categories: those with intact EFDs, those with partially patent EFDs, or those with totally occluded EFDs. In each testis, 100 seminiferous tubules were examined for the presence of abnormalities. The mean weight of testes with partially patent EFDs was significantly higher compared with the control, whereas that of testes with totally occluded EFDs was significantly lower. Histologically, most seminiferous tubules of the testes with intact EFDs were normal. The testes with partially patent EFDs contained normal, degenerative and atrophic seminiferous tubules at various frequencies depending on the number of patent EFDs, and it was evident that as the number of patent EFDs increased, the number of normal seminiferous tubules also increased at any interval. In these testes, the number of normal seminiferous tubules increased progressively as the post-treatment interval increased, irrespective of patency of the EFDs. In the testes with totally occluded EFDs, atrophic seminiferous tubules were the most numerous. These results indicate that whether or not the testis is able to survive the long-term deleterious effects of MBC depends largely EFD patency.     

柠檬酸对小鼠精子特性和睾丸组织形态结构的影响

60只雄性小鼠随机分为4组,每天分别腹腔注射0.2mL的0.9%生理盐水或7.5、15、30g/L CA,于14、21d测定曲细精管精子的生成及附睾内精子特性的相关数据。结果显示,随柠檬酸处理剂量的增加精子的生成数减少。14d时,对照组与15、30g/L CA组间、7.5、30g/L CA组间曲细精管内精子的生成差异显著（P〈0.05）;21d时,对照组与柠檬酸处理组间及7.5、15g/L CA与30g/L CA处理组间曲细精管内精子的生成有显著差异（P〈0.05）。柠檬酸对附睾精子品质的影响表现为：对照组与柠檬酸处理组间及柠檬酸处理组间精子密度和活动率差异均显著（P〈0.05）;对照组和15、30g/L CA处理组及15g/L CA与30g/L CA处理组间精子活力差异显著（P〈0.05）;精子的畸形率随柠檬酸浓度的增加而增加,15g/L CA处理组精子畸形率显著高于对照组（P〈0.05）,30g/LCA处理组显著高于对照组和7.5g/L CA（P〈0.05）处理组。组织形态学观察结果表明柠檬酸能破坏睾丸正常组织形态结构。柠檬酸高剂量组的生精小管内生精细胞排列疏松、紊乱,生精细胞间出现空隙;生精小管中的生精细胞脱落或退化,精原细胞、精母细胞和精子数量明显减少。研究表明,外源柠檬酸雄性小鼠具有显著的生殖遗传毒性。     

Ultrasonographic and quantitative histologic assessment of sequelae to testicular biopsy in stallions.

A sample of testicular parenchymal tissue, approximately 2 x 7 x 7 mm, was aseptically removed from 1 testis in each of 9 stallions on day 0. Slight to moderate hemorrhage from the tunica albuginea was observed in 8 stallions, but bleeding from the parenchyma was detected in only 2 stallions. Stallions were castrated 27 days later. Normal development of granulation tissue was evident at the biopsy site, but hematomas were not observed. In situ measurement of the widths of the right and left testes, total scrotal width, and evaluation of testicular echogenicity during ultrasonography were variables used to monitor changes in the testicular parenchyma from 14 days before biopsy through 27 days after biopsy. The control testis was consistently larger than the biopsied testis, except for day 3. Ultrasonography revealed signs of a localized change in the parenchyma of the biopsied testis in 4 stallions, but each lesion decreased in size by day 27. Tissues removed during biopsy enabled an excellent appraisal of spermatogenesis at that time. Detailed examinations of seminiferous tubules in the testes were performed to assess for damage to testicular function. At castration, samples were taken from 6 sites in each testis. Quantitative histologic evaluations of testicular tissues revealed low numbers of spherical spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes in biopsied testes, compared with control testes. It was concluded that there was a transitory increase in degeneration of preleptotene spermatocytes and B spermatogonia at the time of biopsy. A mild inflammatory response at the biopsy site in some testes was evidenced by an increased number of leukocytes at the biopsy site and at a dorsal site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Some observations on the morphology of the pigeon's seminiferous epithelium cells

A light microscopic examination of the seminiferous epithelium of the pigeon was carried out. Comparisons are made between the spermiogenic stages of the pigeon and that of the domestic fowl and mammals.     

Postnatal testicular development and actin appearance in the seminiferous epithelium of the Habu,Trimeresurus flavoviridis

The postnatal testicular development and actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium were examined by light microscopy, using the testes of the Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis; snake) from 0-year-old to 3-year-old. At 0-year-old (about 1 month after birth), the testis was quite small in size, and the seminiferous epithelium was composed of only Sertoli cells and large spermatogonia. Actin immunoreactivity was observed in the peritubular myoid cells, but could not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 1-year-old (about 10 months after birth), the testicular size increased to a great degree. In the seminiferous epithelium, spermatocytes newly appeared. Actin could still not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 2-year-old (about 1 year and 10 months after birth), the testes continued to develop in size. In the seminiferous epithelium, elongate spermatids and round spermatids were frequently seen, in addition to Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Thus, active spermatogenesis was clearly recognized at this age. Moreover, the actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium was observed at the site between Sertoli cells and spermatids, as well as that at adult stage. The immunoreactivity of actin in the peritubular myoid cells gradually increased from 0-year-old to 2-year-old. Conclusively, it seems likely that spermatogenesis in the Habu initiates at 2-year-old, accompanying with the appearance of actin in the seminiferous epithelium.