The Correlation between Age,Body Weight and Testicular Parameters in Murrah Buffalo Bulls Raised in Brazil

Buffalo are an economically important source for meat and milk production, especially in Brazil. However, important aspects of their biology remain unknown thus far. Herein, we describe the reproductive characteristics of male Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) raised under extensive management conditions by applying biometrics associated with testicular weight. We analyzed seven males, divided into two groups: G1, which consisted of four 18-month-old animals, and G2, which consisted of three 24-month-old animals. Testicular development occurs slowly in Murrah buffalo, suggesting a delay of sexual maturity. The biometric testicular parameters analyzed were scrotal circumference, testicular weight, testicular length, testicular width, testicular thickness and testicular circumference. Our data indicate strong correlations between SC, age and body weight, and additional significant relationships were identified between body weight, age and other testicular parameters. Thus, these parameters are suitable indicators when selecting bulls for breeding purposes.     

Effects on the Local Immunity in the Testis by Exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) in Mice

Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been reported to induce spermatogenic disturbance through oxidant stress and affect the immune system as an adjuvant. However, the effect of DEHP on the testicular immune microenvironment has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we examined the testicular immune microenvironment after exposure to doses of DEHP, previously identified as no-observed-adverse-effect levels. Adult male mice were administered food containing 0%, 0.01% or 0.1% DEHP and then testes were analyzed. The results showed that a slight but significant spermatogenic disturbance appeared in the 0.1% DEHP group but not in the 0.01% DEHP group at 8 weeks. It was also demonstrated that lymphocytes and F4/80- and MHC class II- positive cells were significantly increased with the elevation of IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA expressions in the testes of not only the 0.1% DEHP group but also the 0.01% DEHP group at 8 weeks. Histochemical analyses involving horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a tracer showed that a little blood-borne HRP had infiltrated into the lumen of a few seminiferous tubules beyond the blood-testis-barrier in both the 0.1% and 0.01% DEHP groups at 8 weeks. This indicates that a dose of DEHP that has little effects on spermatogenesis can change the testicular immune microenvironment with functional damage of the blood-testis barrier.     

Resveratrol Reverses Cadmium Chloride-induced Testicular Damage and Subfertility by Downregulating p53 and Bax and Upregulating Gonadotropins and Bcl-2 gene Expression

This study was performed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RES) against CdCl₂-induced toxicity in rat testes. Seven experimental groups of adult male rats were formulated as follows: A) controls+NS, B) control+vehicle (saline solution of hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin), C) RES treated, D) CdCl₂+NS, E) CdCl₂+vehicle, F) RES followed by CdCl₂ and M) CdCl₂ followed by RES. At the end of the protocol, serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone were measured in all groups, and testicular levels of TBARS and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Epididymal semen analysis was performed, and testicular expression of Bcl-2, p53 and Bax was assessed by RT-PCR. Also, histopathological changes of the testes were examined microscopically. Administration of RES before or after cadmium chloride in rats improved semen parameters including count, motility, daily sperm production and morphology, increased serum concentrations of gonadotropins and testosterone, decreased testicular lipid peroxidation and increased SOD activity. RES not only attenuated cadmium chloride-induced testicular histopathology but was also able to protect against the onset of cadmium chloride testicular toxicity. Cadmium chloride downregulated the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 and upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic genes p53 and Bax. Resveratrol protected against and partially reversed cadmium chloride testicular toxicity via upregulation of Bcl2 and downregulation of p53 and Bax gene expression. The antioxidant activity of RES protects against cadmium chloride testicular toxicity and partially reverses its effect via upregulation of BCl2 and downregulation of p53 and Bax expression.     

Lateral Branches of the Testicular Artery Affect Testicular Shape in Adult Stallions

The objective of this study was to investigate the arterial patterns of the stallion testis in relation to testicular shape. Two hundred and fifty-one stallion testes were evaluated for the presence of the lateral branches of the testicular artery. Seven specimens had their testicular arteries filled with latex milk, fixed in 70% alcohol, and dissected. Two hundred six specimens (82%) had a single testicular artery and no lateral branches; 39 testes (16%) had one lateral branch of the testicular artery; and six testes (2%) had two lateral branches of the testicular artery each. The lateral branches of the testicular artery obtained from the adult stallions, more than 5 years old, were associated with distinct lateral bulging, giving them a pear-like shape, whereas similar vascular pattern in young colts, less than 1 year old, did not cause similar shape change. Five distinct patterns of the branching of the testicular artery were determined. We concluded that the lateral branches of the testicular artery are present in approximately 20% of stallion testes. This anatomic pattern is associated with a lateral bulge that develops slowly over several years and is associated with a change in testicular shape from an ellipsoid in colts to a pear-like shape in adult stallions.     

复合黏膜免疫佐剂对鸡小肠细胞免疫的影响

分别应用复合黏膜免疫佐剂Ⅰ和Ⅱ与新城疫Ⅳ系弱毒苗混合（佐剂Ⅰ组和佐剂Ⅱ组）,经口免疫鸡后,研究鸡小肠黏膜局部CD3^＋T细胞、上皮内淋巴细胞和干扰素-γ（Interferon-γ,IFN-γ）mRNA表达水平的变化。结果表明,在整个免疫期内CD3^＋T细胞和上皮内淋巴细胞数量都呈上升趋势,在首免后第3和第5周时十二指肠CD3^＋T细胞佐剂Ⅱ组比佐剂Ⅰ组显著增加（P〈0.05）,空肠CD3^＋T细胞佐剂Ⅱ组比佐剂Ⅰ组极显著增加（P〈0.01）,第7周时Peyer’s斑上皮内淋巴细胞佐剂Ⅱ组比佐剂Ⅰ组极显著增加（P〈0.01）;整个免疫期内佐剂Ⅱ组和佐剂Ⅰ组IFN-γmRNA表达水平呈下降趋势,表达量较低。本研究表明2种复合黏膜免疫佐剂都能明显增加黏膜局部免疫细胞的数量,提高小肠局部黏膜免疫力。     

不同佐剂的奶牛乳房炎多联苗对小鼠免疫机能的影响研究

为了探讨不同佐剂的奶牛乳房炎多联苗对小鼠免疫机能的影响,笔者将小白鼠分为3个组,每组30只,分别为蜂胶苗组、铝胶苗组和空白对照组。用制备的氢氧化铝胶和蜂胶2种乳房炎佐剂多联苗分别免疫小鼠,分别于免疫后的7、14、21、30和45 d采血,进行2种多联苗免疫后E-玫瑰花环率和淋巴细胞转化率测定。结果表明,蜂胶和铝胶2种佐剂苗与空白对照组相比均能显著提高小鼠的细胞免疫水平,2种苗的细胞免疫水平均在免疫后30 d左右达到最高峰(P<0.01),但在免疫后第30和45天时E-玫瑰花环率和淋巴细胞转化率,蜂胶苗组均极显著高于铝胶苗组(P<0.01),说明蜂胶佐剂比铝胶佐剂能更强地增强多联苗抗原对小鼠T细胞的致敏程度。该研究为进一步明确乳房炎多联苗免疫机制及筛选更好的免疫佐剂提供了科学数据。     

细胞因子类佐剂在黏膜免疫中的作用

黏膜免疫和黏膜疫苗佐剂的研究是近年来免疫学研究的一个重要方面.由于细胞因子在免疫应答的产生和调节中具有重要作用,可作为免疫佐剂增强疫苗的免疫效果,所以,细胞因子在黏膜佐剂研究中引起了人们广泛的兴趣与关注.文章主要简述黏膜免疫应答的调节及细胞因子类佐剂在黏膜免疫的研究与应用.     

细胞因子类佐剂在黏膜免疫中的作用

黏膜免疫和黏膜疫苗佐剂的研究是近年来免疫学研究的一个重要方面。由于细胞因子在免疫应答的产生和调节中具有重要作用，可作为免疫佐剂增强疫苗的免疫效果，所以，细胞因子在黏膜佐剂研究中引起了人们广泛的兴趣与关注。文章主要简述黏膜免疫应答的调节及细胞因子类佐剂在黏膜免疫的研究与应用。     

5种塞内卡病毒灭活疫苗佐剂的比较研究

为研究比较5种塞内卡病毒疫苗佐剂,分别用4种自主研发佐剂和进口ISA206佐剂配制塞内卡病毒灭活疫苗,检测疫苗的理化性质、安全性及免疫效力,并对检测结果进行对比分析。结果显示,进口ISA206佐剂疫苗黏度为43.02 cP,自主研发佐剂疫苗黏度均在27.88 cP以下,其他理化性质无差异;5批疫苗安全性试验均未见明显异常;5批疫苗免疫动物后均可诱导机体产生中和抗体,二免后14 d抗体滴度在2¹¹以上,4批自主研发佐剂疫苗免疫组抗体滴度水平高于进口ISA206佐剂疫苗约1个滴度,攻毒保护结果均在4/5以上,2批自主研发佐剂疫苗免疫组保护率可达5/5。结果表明,用4种自主研发佐剂制备的塞内卡病毒灭活疫苗质量不低于用进口ISA206佐剂制备的塞内卡病毒灭活疫苗。     

“芪灵”制剂对热应激小鼠免疫功能的影响

为探讨芪灵制剂对热应激小鼠免疫器官指数和脾淋巴细胞增殖的影响,取60只昆明种小鼠随机分成5组,Ⅰ组为常温对照组,Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组分别为低、中、高剂量芪灵制剂热应激组,Ⅴ组为热应激模型组,采用MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞增殖的情况.结果表明: 芪灵制剂能显著提高热应激小鼠免疫器官指数和脾淋巴细胞增殖的能力(P<0.05).     

Vitamin A Deprivation Affects the Progression of the Spermatogenic Wave and Initial Formation of the Blood-testis Barrier,Resulting in Irreversible Testicular Degeneration in Mice

The blood testis-barrier (BTB) is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the seminiferous epithelium. Although many studies have reported that vitamin A (VA) is required for the maintenance of spermatogenesis, the relationships between the BTB, spermatogenesis and VA have not been elucidated. In this study, we analyzed BTB assembly and spermatogenesis in the testes of mice fed the VA-deficient (VAD) diet from the prepubertal period to adulthood. During the prepubertal period, no changes were observed in the initiation and progression of the first spermatogenic wave in mice fed the VAD diet. However, the numbers of preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes derived from the second spermatogenic wave onwards were decreased, and initial BTB formation was also delayed, as evidenced by the decreased expression of mRNAs encoding BTB components and VA signaling molecules. From 60 days postpartum, mice fed the VAD diet exhibited apoptosis of germ cells, arrest of meiosis, disruption of the BTB, and dramatically decreased testis size. Furthermore, vacuolization and calcification were observed in the seminiferous epithelium of adult mice fed the VAD diet. Re-initiation of spermatogenesis by VA replenishment in adult mice fed the VAD diet rescued BTB assembly after when the second spermatogenic wave initiated from the arrested spermatogonia reached the preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes. These results suggested that BTB integrity was regulated by VA metabolism with meiotic progression and that the impermeable BTB was required for persistent spermatogenesis rather than meiotic initiation. In conclusion, consumption of the VAD diet led to critical defects in spermatogenesis progression and altered the dynamics of BTB assembly.     

日粮添加不同水平芦丁对热应激小鼠睾丸组织的影响

本试验旨在探讨日粮添加不同水平芦丁对缓解热应激小鼠睾丸组织损伤的影响。将30只5周龄体重相近（20～22 g）的ICR系雄性小鼠随机分为5组,各组小鼠分别饲喂基础日粮添加0（CON组）、0（HS组）、250（HS+R250）、500（HS+R500）和1 000（HS+R1000） mg·kg^-1芦丁的日粮,饲养10 d后,除对照组（CON）外,所有小鼠在每天10：00至14：00之间置于42℃恒温箱中连续处理8 d后屠宰取样分析。结果显示：1）与CON组相比,HS组小鼠睾丸指数无显著变化（P>0.05）,而日粮添加250 mg·kg^-1芦丁显著提高热应激小鼠睾丸指数（P<0.05）;小鼠睾丸组织切片结果显示,与CON组相比,HS组小鼠生精小管直径和横截面积显著降低（P<0.05）,生精细胞脱落比率显著增加（P<0.05）;与HS组相比,HS+R250组小鼠生精小管横截面积显著增加（P<0.05）,生精细胞脱落比率显著降低（P<0.05）,HS+R500组生精细胞脱落比率也显著降低（P<0.05）,HS+R1000组小鼠生精小管直径显著增加（P<0.05）;小鼠睾丸指数、生精小管直径及生精小管脱落比率在芦丁处理组与CON组之间无显著差异（P>0.05）,但HS+R250组小鼠睾丸生精小管横截面积显著高于CON组（P<0.05）。2）与CON组相比,HS组小鼠睾丸组织丙二醛（MDA）含量显著升高（P<0.05）,总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）与还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量以及血红素酶-1（HO-1） mRNA的表达量均显著降低（P<0.05）;日粮添加250 mg·kg^-1芦丁显著降低热应激小鼠睾丸组织中MDA含量（P<0.05）,提高T-AOC与GSH含量（P<0.05）,并增强核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）、HO-1和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px） mRNA的表达量（P<0.05）,而添加500和1 000 mg·kg^-1芦丁也显著提高了GSH含量（P<0.05）;与CON组相比,除HS+R250组Nrf2 mRNA表达量显著高于CON组（P<0.05）外,芦丁组热应激小鼠睾丸组织抗氧化相应基因与酶活指标均无显著性变化（P>0.05）。3）热应激小鼠睾丸中核因子-κB （NF-κB）、TOLL样受体4（TLR-4）和Bax的mRNA表达量显著增加（P<0.05）,而Bcl-2表达量显著降低（P<0.05）;日粮添加250 mg·kg^-1芦丁显著降低NF-κB、TLR-4、髓样分化因子88（MyD88）、白细胞介素-Iβ（IL-1β）和Bax mRNA表达量（P<0.05）,增强Bcl-2的表达水平（P<0.05）;添加500 mg·kg^-1芦丁显著降低NF-κB和TLR-4表达量（P<0.05）,而1 000 mg·kg^-1芦丁能够显著增加Bcl-2的表达（P<0.05）;小鼠睾丸组织中免疫和增值凋亡相关基因的表达量在添加芦丁组及CON组之间无显著性差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,日粮添加适宜剂量芦丁具有改善热应激小鼠睾丸组织形态及功能的效果,其机制可能与芦丁通过Nrf2信号通路缓解氧化应激,通过TLR-4/NF-κB信号通路抑制炎症反应及调控Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA的表达密切相关。本试验条件下日粮添加250 mg·kg^-1芦丁的效果较好。     

三聚氰胺对小鼠睾丸病理损伤的观察

本研究采用组织病理学和免疫组织化学技术观察了三聚氰胺（Melamine,MA）对雄性小鼠睾丸的毒性作用,以深入揭示三聚氰胺的毒性作用及其机理。将25只28日龄SPF雄性昆明小鼠随机均分为5组,1组为对照组,其他4组为试验组。4个试验组分别按下述不同剂量灌服三聚氰胺：0.6 mg/kg（bw）/d（每日每公斤体重0.6 mg）、3.0 mg/kg（bw）/d、15.0 mg/kg（bw）/d和17.5 mg/kg（bw）/d,用玉米油做溶剂;空白对照组每日灌服等量玉米油。连续灌胃30天后剖检小鼠并取其睾丸组织进行固定、切片和染色,观察睾丸的组织病理变化。同时,采用免疫组织化学方法检测睾丸组织中增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）的表达量。观察结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组不同剂量浓度的三聚氰胺对小鼠睾丸组织造成不同程度的病理损伤;三聚氰胺也会在一定程度上影响睾丸组织中PCNA的表达。研究结果表明三聚氰胺对于小鼠生殖系统有明显毒性作用。     

Malfunction of spermatogenesis in experimental ischemic mice

An experimental ischemia (EI)-induced mouse model was used to analyze pathological and biochemical alterations in testes. Initial morphological changes were observed in Sertoli cells of EI testes at the light microscopic level. Examination of the ultrastructure using transmission electron microscopy confirmed that Sertoli cells were partially detached from the basement membrane of the seminiferous epithelium and that the cell membranes of adjacent Sertoli cells were not joined. The functional integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) was assessed using the lanthanum tracer technique. Lanthanum had penetrated into the spaces between adjacent Sertoli cells in the adluminal compartment up to the lumen of the seminiferous epithelium in EI testes. Proteome analysis showed that the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 was significantly upregulated in EI testes. Western blot analysis confirmed that the expression of HSP70 increased in a time-dependent manner after the EI procedure. HSP70 immunostaining was observed in spermatocytes and in round and elongated spermatids in EI testes. Our results suggest that a change in the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells on the basal compartment is involved in the BTB disruption in EI testes. Therefore, male infertility caused by the BTB disruption could be associated with heat stress induced by ischemia.     

Saponin Adjuvants. IV. Evaluation of The Adjuvant Quil a in the Vaccination of Cattle Against Foot-And-Mouth Disease

The saponin adjuvant Quil A has been investigated in the vaccination of cattle against foot-and-mouth disease. Using a Frenkel type vaccine a dose-response relationship has been established between Quil A and neutralizing antibody titres. Ten ml of vaccine was combined with 0, 50, 200, 800, and 3200 µg of Quil A. The combinations were each injected into 4 animals. The local reaction on the site of injection produced by injection of the vaccine alone and in combination with different doses of Quil A has been estimated. On this basis a therapeutical dose at 1 mg of Quil A has been estimated to combine maximum adjuvant effect with a minimum of adverse reactions. This dose has been tested in the vaccination of cattle with FMD vaccines derived from BHK suspension cell virus of type O and A respectively. The vaccines were tested in 10 ml and 5 ml doses with or without Quil A, and each in 4 animals. It is concluded that Quil A is a valuable adjuvant for use in the induction of neutralizing antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease in cattle.     

The Effects of Growth Factor on Testicular Germ Cell Apoptosis in the Stallion

Apoptosis is necessary for both initiation and control of spermatogenesis; however, an increase in apoptosis can lead to subfertility/infertility in stallions, causing substantial financial loss in the equine industry. The ability of stem cell factor (SCF), leukemia-inhibiting factor (LIF), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and estradiol (E₂), alone or in combination, to prevent apoptosis of germ cells in short-term equine testicular cultures was examined. Testicular tissue was sectioned into approximately 2-mm cubes and placed in media-filled culture chambers. Concentrations of SCF (100 ng/mL), LIF (10 ng/mL), GM-CSF (5 ng/mL), and E₂ (10⁻⁹ mol/l) were added alone or in combination to each well. After 6 hours in culture, the tissue was fixed and immunohistochemically (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling; TUNEL) stained for apoptosis detection. Apoptotic cells per 100 Sertoli cell nuclei within seminiferous tubules were counted until the 500^th Sertoli cell nuclei was reached. This counting procedure was used for each slide. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a Tukey's test was used to compare apoptotic rates. In comparison with the control, GM-CSF alone lowered apoptosis by 34.77%. GM-CSF–treated tissue combined with SCF and LIF as well as GM-CSF combined with SCF, LIF, and E₂ reduced apoptosis when compared with the control (37.45% and 44.40%, respectively) or other treatment combinations. GM-CSF alone reduced apoptosis; results suggest possible synergy for the combinations of SCF and LIF with GM-CSF and for E₂ with SCF, LIF, and GM-CSF.     

Effects of Different Adjuvants on the Immunogenicity of PCV2-Cap Protein

The study was aimed to prepare vaccines with different adjuvants,and research its effects on immunogenicity.The PCV2 Cap gene with its signal peptide removed was connected to pET-28a vector,and then was induced to express,using sodium deoxycholate（DOC）and low concentration of urea to dissolve the inclusion body.Different adjuvants,such as alum-based adjuvants,liposome adjuvants,propolis adjuvants,white oil adjuvants and Freund adjuvant were prepared,together with protein purified to make up subunit vaccines,and commercial inactivated vaccine as positive control,immuning mice,and ELISA method were used to detect changes in concentrations of animal serum antibody and cytokines,evaluated the immune protective effect.Results showed that the expression product in the form of inclusion body,using the DOC could omit dissolving inclusion body protein renaturation steps,and the purification method was simple,the capsid protein obtained had high purity.ELISA assays showed that PCV2-Cap had good immunogenicity.And we found that the water system adjuvants had high immune activity,this could provide important previous experimental data for the commercialization of the subunit vaccine.