Browsing by Subject "Epididymis"
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- PublicationOpen AccessA role of junction-mediated interactions in cells of the male reproductive tract: Impact of prenatal, neonatal, and prepubertal exposure to anti-androgens on adult reproduction(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2014) Hejmej, Anna; Bilinska, BarbaraMale sexual development and male reproductive functions are dependent on the normal action of androgens, and an unbalanced ratio of the active androgens can lead to varying degrees of structural and functional abnormalities within the reproductive organs. Endocrine balance can be disturbed by environmental and pharmaceutical anti-androgens (i.e. vinclozolin, phthalates, procymidone, and flutamide) that antagonize normal androgen action. Such chemical compounds enter the cell, bind to the receptor and inactivate transcription leading to disruption of androgen-mediated signaling. Assembling and functioning of cell junctions in hormone-dependent tissues, such as testis, epididymis and prostate appeared to be controlled by steroid hormones, predominantly by androgens. This review presents recent findings on the tight junction proteins mainly responsible for normal functioning of the barrier within the testis, epididymis and prostate, anchoring junction proteins that play a crucial role in normal cell-cell adhesion, and gap junction proteins through which intercellular communication takes place in the male reproductive tract. The review gives examples of animal models that are used in endocrine disruption studies with a focus on the author’s own data from studies in the pig.
- PublicationRestrictedBoar sperm cryosurvival is better after exposure to seminal plasma from selected fractions than to those from entire ejaculate(Elsevier, 2014-07-15) Alkmin, Diego V.; Pérez Patino, Cristina; Barranco Cascales, Isabel; Parrilla Riera, Inmaculada; Vázquez, Juan M.; Váquez, Juan M.; Martínez Navarro, Emilio; Rodríguez Martínez, Heriberto; Roca Aleu, Jorge; Medicina y Cirugía AnimalBoar bulk ejaculates are now being collected instead of usual sperm-rich fractions (SRF) for artificial insemination purpose. The present study evaluated the influence of holding boar sperm samples before freezing surrounded in their own seminal plasma (SP), from either fractions/portions or the entire ejaculate, on post-thawing sperm quality and functionality. Ejaculates collected as bulk (BE) or as separate (first 10 mL of SRF [P1] and rest of SRF [P2]) from 10 boars were held 24h at 15-17°C and then frozen. Some bulk ejaculate samples were frozen immediately after collections as Control. In addition, epididymal sperm samples from the same 10 boars were collected post-mortem and extended in SP from P1 (EP1), P2 (EP2) and post SRF (EP3), and also held 24h before freezing for a better understanding of the influence of SP on boar sperm cryopreservation. The sperm quality (motility, evaluated by CASA, and viability, evaluated by flow cytometry) and functionality (flow cytometry assessment of plasma membrane fluidity, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] in viable sperm) were evaluated at 30, 150 and 300 min post-thaw. Post-thawing sperm quality and functionality of P1 and P2 were similar but higher (p < 0.01) than BE samples. Control samples showed higher (p < 0.01) post-thaw sperm quality and functionality than BE samples. Post-thawing sperm quality and functionality of EP1 and EP2 were similar but higher (p < 0.05) than EP3. These results showed that boar sperm from BE are more cryosensitive than those from the SRF, particularly when held 24h before freezing, which would be attributable to the cryonegative effects exerted by the SP from post SRF.
- PublicationOpen AccessClear cell papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the epididymis: a case report and immunohistochemistry of markers for renal cell carcinoma(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2013) Nozawa, Tatsuru; Konda, Ryuichiro; Ohsawa, Taisuke; Yoshida, Makoto; Komatsu, Masayo; Iwama, Takahide; Fujioka, TomoakiNeoplasms of the epididymis are uncommon, and malignant tumors are extremely rare. We report a case of clear cell papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the epididymis presenting with a long history of painless scrotal mass on the left side. Immunohistochemical markers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were examined to distinguish between clear cell papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the epididymis and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The present case was positive for cytokeratin-7, PAX2, vinculin, vimentin and carbonic anhydrase IX. Expression of CD10 was focally observed. In contrast, no immunoreactivities for α- methylacyl-CoA racemase, RCC marker, glutathione Stransferase α or C-KIT were detected. The immunophenotypic profile of clear cell papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the epididymis closely resembles that of clear cell papillary RCC, although the immunohistochemical markers tested in this study are useful to make a differential diagnosis between clear cell papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the epididymis and metastatic clear cell RCC.
- PublicationOpen AccessCryopreservation differentially alters the proteome of epididymal and ejaculated pig spermatozoa(2019-04-11) Perez-Patiño, Cristina; Barranco, Cascales; Li, Junwei; Padilla, Lorena; Martínez, Emilio A; Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto; Roca, Jordi; Parrilla, Inmaculada; Medicina y Cirugía AnimalCryopreservation induces differential remodeling of the proteome in mammalian spermatozoa. How these proteome changes relate to the loss of sperm function during cryopreservation remains unsolved. The present study aimed to clarify this issue evaluating differential changes in the proteome of fresh and frozen-thawed pig spermatozoa retrieved from the cauda epididymis and the ejaculate of the same boars, with clear differences in cryotolerance. Spermatozoa were collected from 10 healthy, sexually mature, and fertile boars, and cryopreserved using a standard 0.5 mL-straw protocol. Total and progressive motility, viability, and mitochondria membrane potential were higher and membrane fluidity and reactive oxygen species generation lower in frozen-thawed (FT) epididymal than ejaculated spermatozoa. Quantitative proteomics of fresh and FT spermatozoa were analyzed using a LC-ESI-MS/MS-based Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Spectra approach. Cryopreservation quantitatively altered more proteins in ejaculated than cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Differential protein-protein networks highlighted a set of proteins quantitatively altered in ejaculated spermatozoa, directly involved in mitochondrial functionality which would explain why ejaculated spermatozoa deteriorate during cryopreservation.
- PublicationRestrictedExtracellular vesicles in seminal fluid and effects on male reproduction. An overview in farm animals and pets(2022-11) Roca Aleu, Jorge; Rodríguez Martínez, Heriberto; Padilla, Lorena; Lucas, Xiomara; Barranco Cascales, Isabel; Medicina y Cirugía AnimalExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer nanovesicles released by most functional cells to body fluids, containing bioactive molecules, mainly proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids having actions at target cells. The EVs have essential functions in cell-to-cell communication by regulating different biological processes in target cells. Fluids from the male reproductive tract, including seminal plasma, contain many extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which have been evaluated to a lesser extent than those of other body fluids, particularly in farm animals and pets. Results from the few studies that have been conducted indicated epithelial cells of the testis, epididymis, ampulla of ductus deferens and many accessory sex glands release sEVs mainly via apocrine mechanisms. The sEVs are morphologically heterogeneous and bind to functional cells of the male reproductive tract, spermatozoa, and cells of the functional tissues of the female reproductive tract after mating or insemination. The sEVs encapsulate proteins and miRNAs that modulate sperm functions and male fertility. The sEVs, therefore, could be important as reproductive biomarkers in breeding sires. Many of the current findings regarding sEV functions, however, need experimental confirmation. Further studies are particularly needed to characterize both membranes and contents of sEVs, as well as the interaction between sEVs and target cells (spermatozoa and functional cells of the internal female reproductive tract). A priority for conducting these studies is development of methods that can be standardized and that are scalable, cost-effective and time-saving for isolation of different subtypes of EVs present in the entire population of sEVs.
- PublicationOpen AccessMorphological and histochemical changes in the dromedary camel epididymis in relation to reproductive activity(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2021) Ibrahim, Zarroug Hassan; Al-Kheraije, Khalid Ali; Singh, Shio KumarEnvironmental conditions such as temperature, light and food availability are known to influence the physiological status of animals. The male dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is considered as a seasonal breeder with maximal sexual activity during certain period of the year followed by a decrease in activity during the remaining period. On the other hand, the male camel is also shown as an atypical seasonal breeder because this does not undergo sexual quiescence with complete cessation of spermatogenesis. This animal, however, shows remarkable physiological and behavioral changes during its maximal sexual activity. The annual breeding (rutting) period also influences the epididymis. In this review, an attempt has been made to present the available literature pertaining to gross anatomical, histological, histochemical, immunohisto-chemical and molecular changes in camel epididymis during breeding and nonbreeding periods, and the changes are believed to be correlated with male sexual behavior and libido. This review may also exhibit the dromedary camel breeding period, which is still unresolved, and thus may prove helpful in determining the exact time of mating, which is important for the success of assisted reproductive outcomes. Further, the review may contribute to a better understanding of the epididymal physiology in camel and may also prove useful in improving reproductive efficiency and population of this animal
- PublicationOpen AccessMorphological examination of epididymal epithelium in the mule (E. hinnus) in comparison with parental species (E. asinus and E. caballus)(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1991) Arrighi, S.; Romanello, M.G.; Domeneghini, C.Following previous studies about the ultrastructure of male genital tract in parental species, a comparative study of epididymis of one of the possible hybrids, the mule, has been undertaken. Apart from small differences, general features of epididymal epithelium in the mule are similar to those of parental species. However, extension of our studies from the donkey to the horse to the hybrid permits a deeper insight into the morphology of this tract of excurrent duct. In the meantime, it is possible to evidence some features, sometimes shared with other species if taken separately, which in the whole characterize the epididymis in Equidae: the presence in principal cells of intranuclear inclusions and peculiar small granules in the basa1 cytoplasmic edge; the organization of groups of cells, likely to be principal ones, in such a way as to constitute intraepithelial crypts; a cumbersome presence of lipofuscinic matter al1 along the epithelium. Another interesting observation is the presence in the mule epididymis of well recognizable macrophages. Al1 these data are discussed in comparison with parental species and with other species described in literature. Beyond any other consideration, it can be outlined that the complex morphology of the epithelium lining ductus epididymis in the mule is unaffected by the absence of spermatozoa, which are normally the target of the manifold functions of the epithelium itself.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe proteome of pig spermatozoa Is remodeled during ejaculation(Elsevier, 2019-01) Pérez-Patiño, Cristina; Parrilla, Inmaculada; Li, Junwei; Barranco, Isabel; Martínez, Emilio A.; Rodríguez-Martínez, Heriberto; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía AnimalProteins are essential for sperm function, including their fertilizing capacity. Pig spermatozoa, emitted in well-defined ejaculate fractions, vary in their functionality, which could be related to different sperm protein composition. This study aimed (i) to update the porcine sperm proteome and (ii) to identify proteins differentially expressed in mature spermatozoa from cauda epididymis and those delivered in separate ejaculate fractions. Ejaculates from nine mature and fertile boars were manually collected in three separate portions: the first 10 ml of the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction (SRF), the rest of the SRF and the post-SRF. The contents of cauda epididymides of the boars were collected post-mortem by retrograde duct perfusion, generating four different semen sources for each boar. Following centrifugation, the resulting pellets of each semen source were initially pooled and later split to generate two technical replicates per source. The resulting eight sperm samples (two per semen source) were subjected to iTRAQ-based 2D-LC-MS/MS for protein identification and quantification. A total of 1,723 proteins were identified (974 of Sus scrofa taxonomy) and 1,602 of them were also quantified (960 of Sus scrofa taxonomy). After an ANOVA test, 32 Sus scrofa proteins showed quantitative differences (p < 0.01) among semen sources, which was particularly relevant for sperm functionality in the post-SRF. The present study showed that the proteome of boar spermatozoa is remodeled during ejaculation involving proteins clearly implicated in sperm function. The findings provide valuable groundwork for further studies focused on identifying protein biomarkers of sperm fertility.