Browsing by Subject "Testis"

Now showing 1 - 18 of 18
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    A 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, Barbara
    Male 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.
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    Colour and pulsed Doppler Ultrasonographic Study of the canine testis
    (Wiley , 2012-07-10) Carrillo Sánchez, J. D.; Soler Laguía, Marta; Lucas Arjona, Xiomara; Agut Giménez, Amalia; Medicina y Cirugía Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    Este estudio se llevó a cabo para caracterizar el flujo sanguíneo normal del testículo canino y medir la velocidad sistólica máxima (PSV), la velocidad telediastólica (EDV), el índice de resistencia (RI) y el índice de pulsatilidad (PI) de las arterias testiculares semanalmente durante un período de 6 meses en cinco perros Beagle sanos, así como para evaluar si se producían cambios a lo largo de este tiempo. Los exámenes ecográficos se realizaron con un transductor lineal de 11 MHz. Los vasos testiculares se subdividieron en tres categorías: arterias supratesticulares, arteria marginal y vasos intratesticulares. En las arterias supratesticulares se registraron dos mediciones, en la porción craneal y en la porción en asa (looping). No se observaron diferencias significativas en ninguno de los parámetros estudiados durante los 6 meses que duró el estudio. La porción craneal de la arteria supratesticular mostró un patrón de flujo característico de vaso de alta resistencia, mientras que en la porción en asa de la arteria supratesticular, así como en las arterias marginales e intratesticulares, el flujo presentó un patrón de baja resistencia. Los valores de PSV, RI y PI fueron más elevados en la porción craneal de la arteria supratesticular, seguidos por la porción en asa de la arteria supratesticular, la arteria marginal y los vasos intratesticulares. Las mediciones de EDV fueron mayores en la porción en asa de la arteria supratesticular.
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    Effects of photoperiod and temperature on testicular function in amphibians
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1990) Paniagua, R.; Fraile, Benito; Sáez, F.J.
    Most amphibians present an annual testicular cycle characterized by a quiescent period (late autumn-winter) and a spermatogenic period (spring and summer). At the end of the period of spermatogenesis undifferentiated interstitial cells transform into steroid-secreting Leydig cells which regress in spring at the beginning of the new spermatogenetic cycle. The testicular cycle is controlled by the pituitary gonadotropin levels which are high in autumn and winter, low in spring and increase temporarily in the middle of summer. Photoperiod and temperature seem to be the most important externa1 factors involved in the regulation of this cycle in many amphibian species since the colder the geographic area, the longer the quiescent period and the shorter the spermatogenic period. This suggests the occurrence of a potentially continuous cycle in these species, in contrast with that which occurs in other species having an endogenous rhythm of testicular function which is much less sensitive to environmental factors. Although the specific response to temperature can vary widely between species, the most frequent observation in amphibians with a potentiaiiy continuous cycle is that exposure to mild temperatures (15-20° C, according to the spring temperatures of the different geographic areas) stimulates spermatogenesis even during the period of testicular quiescence. If this mild temperature is combined with a long photoperiod, complete spermatogenesis is attained. Experiments performed during the period of germ-cell proliferation (development from spermatogonia to round spermatids) indicated that low temperatures (below 11° C) as well as short photoperiods (less than 8 h of light) hinder germcell proliferation. Moderately high temperatures (about 30° C) do not impair this proliferation. In the newt Offprint reqoests to: Dr. R. Paniagua, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of AlcalA de Henares, E-28871 Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain Triturus marmoratus, it has been shown that an excessively long photoperiod (over 16 h) has the same effect as a short photoperiod. In this species eyes are not required for the testicular photoperiodic response. Photoperiod appears to have no effect on spermiogenesis (differentiation of round spermatids into spermatozoa), because once round spermatids are formed, spermiogenesis will occur even in total darkness. Mild temperatures seem to be necessary for spermiogenesis as well as for androgen biosynthesis because neither process will take place at extreme temperatures. Results on the effect of photoperiod in steroidogenesis differ between species.
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    Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects the testis from damage generated by experimental cryptorchidism in rabbits
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Vigueras Villaseñor, Rosa María; Jiménez Cabrera, Tania; Chávez Saldaña, Margarita; Jiménez Trejo, Francisco; Cuevas Alpuche, Osvaldo; Rojas Castañeda, Julio César
    Cryptorchidism (CO) is a risk factor for infertility in men. It is associated with an increase in oxidative stress which alters the differentiation of the gonocytes to spermatogonia. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an antioxidant that acts as a free radical scavenger and activates the antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this work was to investigate if EGCG plays a role in the protection of the testicle from alterations generated by CO and its possible mechanism. Male rabbits 7 days old were divided into four groups and distributed as follows: 1) control (C) treated with EGCG vehicle (V) (C/V); 2) C with administration of EGCG from 65 to 120 days postpartum (dpp) (C/EGCG); 3) CO induced by administration of 17β-estradiol plus EGCG vehicle (CO/V) and 4) CO plus EGCG administration (CO/EGCG). The animals were euthanized at 120 dpp and their testes were processed to evaluate lipid peroxidation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes as well as serum testosterone (T) concentrations. In addition, the rates of apoptosis, cell proliferation and histological alterations were determined. The CO/EGCG group showed a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation, a significant increase in the anti-oxidant enzyme activities and concentrations of T. Also, there was a significant decrease in the histological alterations, absence of gonocytes and active spermatogenesis when compared with CO/V group. These results show that EGCG reduces lipid peroxidation and increases the activity of the endogenous anti-oxidant system which protects the testes from alterations produced by oxidative stress generated during experimental CO.
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    Evaluation of the impact of Momordica charantia on the testis of cisplatin-treated albino rats: Biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural study
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2025) Shalaby, Fatma Mohsen; Elrefaie, Amany Omar; Abd, Kandil; Attia, El Hai; Biología Celular e Histología
    Cisplatin is an antineoplastic drug that exhibits toxicity dependent on dosage and has adverse reproductive effects. Momordica charantia (Bitter melon) is a natural vegetable plant; its active ingredients possess antioxidant, apoptotic, antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, and other therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the effect of the administration of bitter melon extract, cisplatin, and cisplatin/bitter melon cotreatment on liver and kidney functions, serum and testicular oxidative status, testis histology, and sperm parameters. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (Control) received normal saline, Group II received oral bitter melon extract (300 mg/kg), Group III received cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg), and Group IV received the same doses of cisplatin and bitter melon, for six successive weeks, daily. Our results showed that bitter melon extract stimulates antioxidant enzymes and has anti-lipid peroxidation properties through the significantly increased plasma levels of glutathione and significantly decreased testicular malondialdehyde. The cisplatin-treated group showed oxidative stress indicated by the significant decrease of catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase levels and a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in both serum and testis compared with the control group. In the cisplatin/bitter melon-cotreated group, there was a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde in both serum and testis compared with cisplatin-treated rats. The bitter melon alone or with cisplatin cotreatment resulted in reduced gonadosomatic index, sperm count, motility, and viability. These results were confirmed by histopathological examinations, apoptosis assay using flow cytometry, and immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In conclusion, the administration of bitter melon extract alone or in combination with cisplatin led to testicular structure disturbances and showed an anti-spermatogenic effect. These findings are likely due to a combination of inhibited cellular proliferation, increased cell death, minor decrease in testosterone levels, and localized oxidative stress that outweigh the antioxidant benefits of bitter melon extract.
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    Impaired spermatogenesis, tubular wall disruption, altered blood-testis barrier composition and intratubular lymphocytes in an infertile Beagle dog – a putative case of autoimmune orchitis
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Matschurat, Carolin; Rode, Kristina; Hollenbach, Julia; Wolf, Karola; Urhausen, Carola; Beineke, Andreas; Günzel Apel, Anne Rose; Brehm, Ralph
    Impairment of blood-testis barrier integrity can be observed during inflammation, infection, trauma and experimental autoimmune orchitis, which is inducible in rodents. In the present study, an initially fertile two-year-old Beagle dog was presented with a decline in total sperm number resulting in azoospermia within five months, verified by twice-monthly semen analyses. The dog was clinically healthy with bilateral small testes and showed normal thyroid function. Bacterial cultures of semen were negative and serum biochemical analyses showed no abnormal findings. To determine causes of azoospermia, the dog was castrated. Histological examinations of hematoxylin-eosin stained testicular sections revealed impaired spermatogenesis, seminiferous tubules with spermatogenic arrest or Sertoli-cell-only syndrome as well as focal interstitial and even intratubular lymphocytic infiltrations. Germ cell sloughing, apoptosis and giant cells were also observed in some tubules. Subsequent immunostainings of smooth-muscle-actin, claudin3, claudin11 and connexin43 demonstrated, for the first time, a mechanical and functional disruption of the tubular wall and alterations of blood-testis barrier proteins in these tubules. Presence of claudin3 and claudin11 in canine testis was confirmed using RT-PCR and sequencing and/ or Western-blot analyses. All findings suggested a possible spontaneous autoimmune orchitis to be the underlying cause for the observed azoospermia.
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    Influence of age on the production of rat spermatozoa, on their concentration in the cauda epididymidis, and on FSH, LH and testosterone plasma levels
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1988) Larnano Carvalho, T.L.; Favaretto, A.L.V.; Kornesu, M.C.; Lopes, R.A.; Petenusci, S.O.; Silva-Netto, C.R
    Testis samples were taken from young (3 months), middle-aged (12 months) and aged (24 months) male rats, processed, stained and examined via a light microscope. There were no prominent anormal germina1 epithelium and interstitial tissue. However, the aging process promoted a significant decrease in the mean amount of spermatids 19 per cross tubular section, and in the amount of Sertoli cells per cross tubular section in 24-month-old rats. The concentration of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis showed a gradual decrease from 3 to 12 and 24 months. After hCG injection al1 groups of animals exhibited an increase in plasma testosterone level, although the response was smaller in 12- and 24-month animals compared to the young mature (3 months) ones.
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    Localization of androgen and estrogen receptors in rat and primate tissues
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2000) Pelletier, G.
    G. Pelletier
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    Low-intensity ultrasound energy applied to the testes of aged rats
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Haddad, S.; Franci, J.A.A.; Petenusci, S.O.; Lamano Carvalho, T.L.
    Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that low-intensity ultrasound applied to the scrotum of prepubertal rats causes a 62% increase in plasma testosterone, suggesting a possible stimulation of LH receptors andtor the enzymes controlling the steroidogenic process. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether low-intensity ultrasound has a stimulatory effect on the androgenic activity of aged testes. In addition to plasma testosterone, LH and FSH, the testicular spermatogenic status was also analysed. Ultrasound applied to the scrotum of aged rats did not stimulate sperm production, which was significantly reduced compared to sexually mature animals, and failed to re-establish the steroidogenic testicular function, which was decreased by 74%, suggesting an inherent loss of gonadal steroidogenic competence.
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    Mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) pathway modulates blood-testis barrier (BTB) function through F-actin organization and gap junction
    (2016) Li, Nan; Yan Cheng, C.
    mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is one of the most important signaling molecules in mammalian cells which regulates an array of cellular events, ranging from cell metabolism to cell proliferation. Based on the association of mTOR with the core component proteins, such as Raptor (regulatoryassociated protein of mTOR) or Rictor (rapamycinintensive companion of mTOR), mTOR can become the mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) or mTORC2, respectively. Studies have shown that during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis, mTORC1 promotes remodeling and restructuring of the bloodtestis barrier (BTB) in vitro and in vivo, making the Sertoli cell tight junction (TJ)-permeability barrier “leaky”; whereas mTORC2 promotes BTB integrity, making the Sertoli cell TJ-barrier “tighter”. These contrasting effects, coupled with the spatiotemporal expression of the core signaling proteins at the BTB that confer the respective functions of mTORC1 vs. mTORC2 thus provide a unique mechanism to modulate BTB dynamics, allowing or disallowing the transport of biomolecules and also preleptotene spermatocytes across the immunological barrier. More importantly, studies have shown that these changes to BTB dynamics conferred by mTORC1 and mTORC2 are mediated by changes in the organization of the actin microfilament networks at the BTB, and involve gap junction (GJ) intercellular communication. Since GJ has recently been shown to be crucial to reboot spermatogenesis and meiosis following toxicant-induced aspermatogenesis, these findings thus provide new insightful information regarding the integration of mTOR and GJ to regulate spermatogenesis.
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    Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in microtubule cytoskeletal dynamics and spermatogenesis
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2021) Wang, Lingling; Yan, Ming; Wong, Chris K.C.; Ge, Renshan; Wu, Xiaolong; Sun, Fei; Yan Cheng, C.
    The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells, a crucial cellular structure in the seminiferous epithelium of adult mammalian testes that supports spermatogenesis, was studied morphologically decades ago. However, its biology, in particular the involving regulatory biomolecules and the underlying mechanism(s) in modulating MT dynamics, are only beginning to be revealed in recent years. This lack of studies in delineating the biology of MT cytoskeletal dynamics undermines other studies in the field, in particular the plausible therapeutic treatment and management of male infertility and fertility since studies have shown that the MT cytoskeleton is one of the prime targets of toxicants. Interestingly, much of the information regarding the function of actin-, MT- and intermediate filament-based cytoskeletons come from studies using toxicant models including some genetic models. During the past several years, there have been some advances in studying the biology of MT cytoskeleton in the testis, and many of these studies were based on the use of pharmaceutical/toxicant models. In this review, we summarize the results of these findings, illustrating the importance of toxicant/pharmaceutical models in unravelling the biology of MT dynamics, in particular the role of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), a family of regulatory proteins that modulate MT dynamics but also actin- and intermediate filamentbased cytoskeletons. We also provide a timely hypothetical model which can serve as a guide to design functional experiments to study how the MT cytoskeleton is regulated during spermatogenesis through the use of toxicants and/or pharmaceutical agents.
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    Morphological and histochemical pattern of responsein rat testes after administratnzo-ion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibe p-dioxin ,TCDD,
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1991) Rune, G.M.; Souza, P.H.de; Krowke, R.; Merker, H. J.; Neubert, D.
    Testes of rats, which had been injected with a single dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (0.3 pglkg - 25 pglkg body weight [BW]), were studied after 7 days using morphological and histochemical means. Light and electron microscopic examination revealed that TCDD affected testicular morphology in a dosedependent manner. TCDD led to decreased intercellular contact, indicated by wide intercellular spaces between Sertoli cells between and Sertoli cells and neighbouring germ cells. Morphological alaterations in rat testes after TCDD administration included the sloughing off of premature spermatids into the tubular lumen and numerical increase of necrotic germ cells, in particular pachytene spermatocytes. Compared with control animals, Sertoli cells of treated rats exhibited an increased amount of lipid droplets and phagolysosomes. Vacuolization of the cytoplasm and fragmentation of the Sertoli cells occurred frequently. Examination of the different spermatogenic stages revealed that no stage was specifically susceptible to TCDD. In Leydig cells a decrease in enzyme activity of 313- and 1713-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases became evident bv histochemical investi"ea tion. This effect on steroidogenesis was already found at a dose of 1 pglkg BW TCDD, whereas n~orphologicael ffects were seen in the germinal epithelium for the first time at 3 pglkg BW
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    New insights into FAK function and regulation during spermatogenesis
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2014) Gungor-Orduer, N. Ece; Mruk, Dolores D.; Wan, Hin-ting; Wong, Elissa W.P.; Celik-Ozenci, Ciler; Lie, Pearl P.Y.; Cheng, C. Yan
    Germ cell transport across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle is crucial to spermatogenesis, although molecular mechanism(s) that regulate these events remain unknown. Studies have shown that spatiotemporal expression of crucial regulatory proteins during the epithelial cycle represents an efficient and physiologically important mechanism to regulate spermatogenesis without involving de novo synthesis of proteins and/or expression of genes. Herein, we critically review the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in coordinating the transport of spermatids and preleptotene spermatocytes across the epithelium and the blood-testis barrier (BTB), respectively, along the apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) – blood-testis barrier – basement membrane (BM) functional axis during spermatogenesis. In the testis, p-FAK-Tyr397 and p-FAKTyr407 are spatiotemporally expressed during the epithelial cycle at the actin-rich anchoring junction known as ES, regulating cell adhesion at the Sertolispermatid (apical ES) and Sertoli cell-cell (basal ES) interface. Phosphorylated forms of FAK exert their effects by regulating the homeostasis of F-actin at the ES, mediated via their effects on actin polymerization so that microfilaments are efficiently re-organized, such as from their “bundled” to “de-bundled/branched” configuration and vice versa during the epithelial cycle to facilitate the transport of: (i) spermatids across the epithelium, and (ii) preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB. In summary, p-FAK-Tyr407 and p-FAK-Tyr397 are important regulators of spermatogenesis which serve as molecular switches that turn “on” and “off” adhesion function at the apical ES and the basal ES/BTB, mediated via their spatiotemporal expression during the epithelial cycle. A hypothetical model depicting the role of these two molecular switches is also proposed.
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    Optimizing the preparation of paraffin sections from stallion testes
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2025) Asgenbaatar, Nairag; Yi, Minna; Wang, Xisheng; Ulaangerel, Tseweendolmaa; Shen, Yingchao; Wen, Xin; Du, Ming; Dong, Xiaoling; Mengkh, Yibeeltu; Dugarjav, Manglai; Bou, Gerelchimeg
    The preparation of paraffin sections is an important experimental technique in animal histological research, and key factors that determine the quality of a section include the dehydration time, waxing time, and drying temperature of the paraffin section. Paraffin sections obtained from testis tissue of adult horses exhibited higher quality with clear tissue structure and complete cell morphology after they underwent gradient dehydration for 6 hours, were immersed in wax for 60 minutes, and were dried in a 75-degree oven for 15 minutes. The detailed, optimized procedures that are developed in the current study may simplify histological experiments and research on equine testes.
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    Polarity proteins and actin regulatory proteins are unlikely partners that regulate cell adhesion in the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis
    (F. Hernández y J.F. Madrid. Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología., 2011) Cheng, C. Yan; Wong, Elissa W.P.; Lie, Pearl P.Y.; Mruk, Dolores D.; Xiao, Xiang; Li, Michelle W.M.; Lui, Wing-Yee; Lee, Will M.
    In mammalian testis, spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubule, which is composed of a series of cellular events. These include: (i) spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) renewal via mitosis and differentiation of SSC to spermatogenia, (ii) meiosis, (iii) spermiogenesis, and (iv) spermiation. Throughout these events, developing germ cells remain adhered to the Sertoli cell in the seminiferous epithelium amidst extensive cellular, biochemical, molecular and morphological changes to obtain structural support and nourishment. These events are coordinated via signal transduction at the cell-cell interface through cell junctions, illustrating the significance of cell junctions and adhesion in spermatogenesis. Additionally, developing germ cells migrate progressively across the seminiferous epithelium from the stem cell niche, which is located in the basal compartment near the basement membrane of the tunica propria adjacent to the interstitium. Recent studies have shown that some apparently unrelated proteins, such as polarity proteins and actin regulatory proteins, are in fact working in concert and synergistically to coordinate the continuous cyclic changes of adhesion at the Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell interface in the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis, such that developing germ cells remain attached to the Sertoli cell in the epithelium while they alter in cell shape and migrate across the epithelium. In this review, we highlight the physiological significance of endocytic vesicle-mediated protein trafficking events under the influence of polarity and actin regulatory proteins in conferring cyclic events of cell adhesion and de-adhesion. Furthermore, these recent findings have unraveled some unexpected molecules to be targeted for male contraceptive development, which are also targets of toxicant-induced male reproductive dysfunction.
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    Reg I protein in healthy and seminoma human testis
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Mauro, V.; Carette, D.; Chevallier, D.; Michiels, J.F.; Segretain, D.; Pointis, G.; Sénégas-Balas, F.
    Regenerating gene (Reg), encodes a secretory protein with growth and differentiation stimulating effects mostly in digestive tissues. Overexpression of Reg proteins and specifically of Reg I, one member of the Reg family, is associated with several human diseases and cancers. In the present study we analyzed the expression of Reg I in normal rodent and human testes where germ cells normally proliferate and differentiate into spermatozoa, and in seminoma testis, the most common cancer of young men. Western blot analyses demonstrated the presence of a specific band at 19 kDa in human and rodent testis extracts. Immunofluorescence and deconvolution microscopy demonstrated that Reg I was present within the seminiferous tubules in both Sertoli and germ cells. By using a Sertoli cell line we demonstrated that Reg I was localized at the plasma membrane even in the absence of contact between neighboring cells and appeared before the tight junction associated protein ZO-1 was revealed at this location. Reg I was strongly expressed in human seminoma testis tissue and in a human tumor germ cell line where the immunoreactive signal was mainly detected at the plasma membrane level. These data showing for the first time the weak presence of Reg I in the normal testis and its strong expression in the testis cancer suggest a potential role of Reg I in normal and neoplastic germ cell proliferation.
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    Role of an endothelin type A receptor antagonist in regulating torsion-induced testicular apoptosis in rats
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2016) Cayli, Sevil; Ocakli, Seda; Senel, Ufuk; Karaca, Zafer; Erdemir, Fikret; Delibasi, Tuncay
    Testicular torsion is a well-known medical emergency that can lead to pathological changes in the testicular tissues and male infertility. This investigation was undertaken to gain insight into the effects of an endothelin type A receptor antagonist (BQ123) on torsion-induced germ cell loss. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. In group I (control group), a sham operation to the left testis was performed. In group II (I/R injury), I/R injury was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 2 h and detorsing the testis after 2 h. In group III (I/R injury+BQ123), the rats were subjected to I/R injury and BQ123 injection (1 mg/kg, intravenous). In group IV (control+BQ123), the sham operated rats were subjected to BQ123. The testes of the rats were removed in all groups. Torsion-induced apoptosis and the effects of BQ123 were examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labelling (TUNEL) technique, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. In group II, the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased after testicular torsion. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting showed that apoptotic proteins (active caspase 3 and Bax) were upregulated, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 was downregulated in I/R injury. The administration of BQ123 caused a significant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells and the expression of apoptotic proteins (p<0.05) when compared with the I/R injury group. No significant effect of BQ123 was observed in the testicular cells of group IV. This animal study provides evidence of the regulatory effects of BQ123 on torsion-induced testicular apoptosis.
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    The effect of 2.45 GHz non-ionizing radiation on the structure and ultrastructure of the testis in juvenile rats
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Šimaiová, Veronika; Almášiová, Viera; Holovská, Katarína; Kisková, Terézia; Horváthová, Františka; Ševčíková, Zuzana; Tóth, Štefan; Raček, Adam; Račeková, Enikő; Beňová, Katarína; Dvořák, Petr; Cigánková, Viera