Male reproductive system and spermatogenesis of Limodromus assimilis (Paykull 1790).
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Schubert LF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5516968 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are used intensively. Thanks to their extremely small size (1-100 nm), TiO2-NPs are more absorbable by living organisms; consequently, they can cross the circulatory system and then be distributed in various organs including the reproductive organs. We have evaluated the possible toxic effect of TiO2-NPs on embryonic development and the male reproductive system using Danio rerio as an organism model. TiO2-NPs (P25, Degussa) were tested at concentrations of 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L, and 4 mg/L. TiO2-NPs did not interfere with the embryonic development of Danio rerio, however, in the male gonads the TiO2-NPs caused an alteration of the morphological/structural organization. The immunofluorescence investigation showed positivity for biomarkers of oxidative stress and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), both confirmed by the results of qRT-PCR. In addition, an increased expression of the gene responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone was found. Since Leydig cells are mainly involved in this activity, an increase in gene activity can be explained by the ability of TiO2-NPs to act as endocrine disruptors, and, therefore, with androgenic activity.
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Project description:BackgroundThis study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the toxicity exerted by zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on rat testis and its effects on fertility and progeny development.MethodsDifferent concentrations of ZnO NPs were administered by gavage to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats to examine the adverse effects resulting from pre- and post-natal exposure. Systemic distribution of ZnO NPs, developmental performance, sperm parameters, reproductive performance, histopathological examination, and sex hormone levels were determined scheduled in the experimental rats and their male offspring. The comparative in vitro cytotoxicity of the ZnO NPs was determined among C18-4, TM3, and TM4 cells. The toxicity exerted by ZnO NPs on germ cells in vitro and the effects on the expression of cytoskeleton and blood-testis barrier (BTB)-related proteins were also determined.ResultsAfter oral gavage, ZnO NPs mainly accumulated in the liver and testes of rats; 350 mg/kg ZnO NPs adversely affected the epididymal weight, sperm motility, and hormone levels but did not affect the fertility of rats. In addition, 350 mg/kg ZnO NPs significantly reduced the reproductive and developmental performance of offspring male rats. Testicular histopathological and electron microscopic ultrastructure examinations showed more significant abnormal structural changes than those observed in parental rats. The results of in vitro cell experiments further showed that ZnO NPs exerted cytotoxic effects on germ cells, and led to DNA damage, nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton alterations, and could regulate actin changes through changes in LC3B.ConclusionsIt is possible that ZnO NPs act directly on TM4 cells by penetrating the BTB, causing damage to the cytoskeleton and disrupting the dynamic balance of the BTB, thereby destroying the microenvironment necessary for spermatogenesis, which may lead to poor reproduction in rats.
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Project description:Understanding female mate preference is important for determining the strength and direction of sexual trait evolution. The sound pressure level (SPL) acoustic signalers use is often an important predictor of mating success because higher sound pressure levels are detectable at greater distances. If females are more attracted to signals produced at higher sound pressure levels, then the potential fitness impacts of signalling at higher sound pressure levels should be elevated beyond what would be expected from detection distance alone. Here we manipulated the sound pressure level of cricket mate attraction signals to determine how female phonotaxis was influenced. We examined female phonotaxis using two common experimental methods: spherical treadmills and open arenas. Both methods showed similar results, with females exhibiting greatest phonotaxis towards loud sound pressure levels relative to the standard signal (69 vs. 60 dB SPL) but showing reduced phonotaxis towards very loud sound pressure level signals relative to the standard (77 vs. 60 dB SPL). Reduced female phonotaxis towards supernormal stimuli may signify an acoustic startle response, an absence of other required sensory cues, or perceived increases in predation risk.
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Project description:The elderly males undergo degenerative fertility and testicular endocrine function that jeopardize the reproductive health and well-being. However, the mechanisms underlying reproductive aging are unclear. Here, we tried to address this by investigating the phenotypes and transcriptomes of seven regions of the male mouse reproductive tract: the testis, efferent ductules, initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis, and vas deferens, in adult (3 months) and aged (21 months) mice. Quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed for the analysis of gene expression in mice, human tissues, and semen samples. Aged male mice showed both systematic and reproductive changes, and remarkable histological changes were detected in the testis and proximal epididymis. Transcriptomes of the male reproductive tract were mapped, and a series of region-specific genes were identified and validated in mouse and/or human tissues, including Protamine 1 (Prm2), ADAM metallopeptidase domain 28 (Adam28), Ribonuclease A family member 13 (Rnase13), WAP four-disulfide core domain 13 (Wfdc13), and Wfdc9. Meanwhile, age-related transcriptome changes of different regions of the male reproductive tract were characterized. Notably, increased immune response was functionally related to the male reproductive aging, especially the T cell activation. An immune response-associated factor, phospholipase A2 group IID (Pla2g2d), was identified as a potential biomarker for reproductive aging in mice. And the PLA2G2D level in human seminal plasma surged at approximately 35 years of age. Furthermore, we highlighted Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C (Ptprc), Lymphocyte protein tyrosine kinase (Lck), Microtubule associated protein tau (Mapt), and Interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (Ifit3) as critical molecules in the aging of initial segment, caput, caput, and cauda epididymidis, respectively. This study provides an RNA-seq resource for the male reproductive system during aging in mice, and is expected to improve our understanding of male reproductive aging and infertility.
| S-EPMC8861499 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAngiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), a receptor for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to enter host cells, is widely expressed in testes and prostate tissues. The testis and prostate produce semen. At present, there are contradictory reports about whether SARS-CoV-2 can exist in the semen of infected men.ObjectiveTo provide a comprehensive overview of the topic of whether COVID-19 can impact on male reproductive system.MethodsWe reviewed the relevant publications on the possible impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on male reproductive system and summarized the latest and most important research results so far. Literature published in English from December 2019 to January 31, 2021 regarding the existence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen, testis, and prostatic fluid and the effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive were included.ResultsWe identified 28 related studies, only one of which reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen. The study found that the semen quality of patients with moderate infection was lower than that of patients with mild infection and healthy controls. The impaired semen quality may be related to fever and inflammation. Pathological analysis of the testis/epididymis showed that SARS-CoV-2 viral particles were positive in 10 testicular samples, and the spermatogenic function of the testis was impaired. All 94 expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.ConclusionThe likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of COVID-19 patients is very small, and semen should rarely be regarded as a carrier of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. However, COVID-19 may cause testicular spermatogenic dysfunction via immune or inflammatory reactions. Long-term follow-up is needed for COVID-19 male patients and fetuses conceived during the father's infection period.
| S-EPMC8190708 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, and vas deferens, constituting the majority of male reproductive tract, are the regions for testosterone production, spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation, storage and discharge, but whether these regions change during aging is unknown. Here, we addressed this by investigating the adult (3-month) and aged (18-month) transcriptomes from seven regions of male mouse reproductive tract：the testis, efferent ductules, initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymis, and vas deferens. We identified various of region-specific genes across different regions of male mouse reproductive tract. Moreover, we identified region-dependent changes of transcripts at an anatomic resolution. This study provides a framework for futher studies on male reproducitve aging.
2022-03-02 | GSE181426 | GEO
Project description:GnRH sterilization vaccines have been developed for various practical and clinical reasons. However, conjugation of GnRH peptide to carrier protein has many drawbacks, hampering the further commercialization of GnRH vaccines. In this study, a new nonconjugated GnRH vaccine, D-Lys6-GnRH-tandem-dimer peptide (TDK), emulsified in Specol adjuvant was investigated for its immunocastration efficacy in young male rats. Prepubertal male rats were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 12): control (no treatment), surgically castrated or immunized against 100 μg TDK in Specol adjuvant at 6 weeks of age (with a booster 8 weeks later). Blood samples (for antibody titers and hormone concentrations) were collected at 2-week intervals until rats were killed (18 weeks of age). Compared to intact controls, active immunization against TDK reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of testosterone, inhibin B, LH and FSH, prevented the onset of spermatogenesis at puberty. Furthermore, mRNA expressions of GnRH receptor, LH-β and FSH-β in the pituitary, LH receptor, FSH receptor, inhibin α, βA and βB subunit in the testes were decreased in immunocastrated rats compared to intact controls (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate for the first time that GnRH-tandem-dimer peptide emulsified in Specol is a promising veterinary sterilization medicine.
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Project description:BackgroundThe male reproductive system of insects can have several tissues responsible for the secretion of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs), such as testes, accessory glands, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory duct and ejaculatory bulb. The SFPs are transferred during mating and can induce several physiological and behavioral changes in females, such as increase in oviposition and decrease in sexual receptivity after copulation. The phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis. Despite its medical importance, little is known about its reproductive biology. Here we present morphological aspects of the male L. longipalpis reproductive system by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and compare the mating frequency of both virgin and previously mated females.ResultsThe male L. longipalpis reproductive system is comprised by a pair of oval-shaped testes linked to a seminal vesicle by vasa deferentia. It follows an ejaculatory duct with an ejaculatory pump (a large bulb enveloped by muscles and associated to tracheas). The terminal endings of the vasa deferentia are inserted into the seminal vesicle by invaginations of the seminal vesicle wall, which is composed by a single layer of gland cells, with well-developed endoplasmic reticulum profiles and secretion granules. Our data suggest that the seminal vesicle acts both as a spermatozoa reservoir and as an accessory gland. Mating experiments support this hypothesis, revealing a decrease in mating frequency after copulation that indicates the effect of putative SFPs.ConclusionUltrastructural features of the L. longipalpis male seminal vesicle indicated its possible role as an accessory gland. Behavioral observations revealed a reduction in mating frequency of copulated females. Together with transcriptome analyses from male sandfly reproductive organs identifying ESTs encoding orthologs of SFPs, these data indicate the presence of putative L. longipalpis SFPs reducing sexual mating frequency of copulated females.
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Project description:Green tea presents catechins as its major components and it has a potential antioxidant activity. Cyclophosmamide (CP) is an antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent, known to reduce fertility. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of green tea infusion on cyclophosphamide-induced damage in male mice reproductive system. Mice received green tea infusion (250 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 14 days. Saline or CP were injected intraperitoneally at a single dose (100 mg/kg) at the 14th day. Animals were euthanized 24 h after CP administration and testes and epididymis were removed for biochemical analysis and sperm evaluation. Catechins concentration in green tea infusion was evaluated by HPLC. CP increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and superoxide dismutase activity whereas sperm concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and 17?-hydroxysteroid (17?-HSD) dehydrogenase activities were reduced in both tissues tested. Catalase activity and protein carbonyl levels were changed only in testes, after CP administration. Green tea pre-treatment reduced significantly lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and restored GPx and GST activity in testes. In epididymis, therapy significantly increased sperm concentration and restored GPx and 17?-HSD activity. Green tea improves CP-induced damage on reproductive system, probably due to their high catechins content.
| S-EPMC5598363 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study assessed the effects of a simulated high-altitude environment on the reproductive system of prepubertal male rats and the reversibility of these effects upon return to a normal environment. Three-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups that were exposed to different conditions: a normal environment for 6 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively, hypobaric hypoxia for 6 weeks, and hypobaric hypoxia for 6 weeks followed by a normal environment for 6 weeks. Multiple pathophysiological parameters were evaluated at the histological, endocrine, and molecular levels. Hypobaric hypoxia exposure for 6 weeks during the prepubertal phase significantly altered physiological parameters, body functions, blood indices, and reproductive potential. Six weeks after returning to a normal environment, the damaged reproductive functions partially recovered due to compensatory mechanisms. However, several changes were not reversed after returning to a normal environment for 6 weeks, including disorders of body development and metabolism, increased red blood cells, increased fasting blood glucose, abnormal blood lipid metabolism, decreased testicular and epididymis weights, abnormal reproductive hormone levels, excessive apoptosis of reproductive cells, and decreased sperm concentration. In summary, a hypobaric hypoxic environment significantly impaired the reproductive function of prepubertal male rats, and a return to normal conditions during the postpubertal phase did not fully recover these impairments.
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