Leydig and Sertoli cells of the immature lesser mouse deer testes, obtained in East Malaysia, were observed using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The testes were fixed in 5% glutaraldehyde, post-fixed in 1% OsO4, dehydrated in ethanol, and embedded in Araldite M. Serial semi-thin sections were cut, stained with toluidine blue and observed using light microscopy. Serial ultra-thin sections were cut, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined using TEM. As a result, ultrastructurally, two types of underdeveloped filament bundles were infrequently recognized in Leydig cells, but not in other testicular cells. One type was the underdeveloped bundles of actin filaments (approximately 5 nm in diameter), which were found in the nucleus of Leydig cells. The other type was the underdeveloped bundles of intermediate filaments (approximately 10 nm in diameter), which were found in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. A multivesicular nuclear body (MNB)--specifically present in the Sertoli cell nucleus of ruminant testes--was infrequently observed. The MNB is situated in the vicinity of nuclear membrane, still in an underdeveloped stage.
The ultrastructure of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of water buffaloes before and during sexual maturity was studied by transmission electron microscopy, with emphasis on the intranucleolar vesicular elements. Sertoli cells of animals under 12 months of age were distinguished from the germ cells by the presence of electron dense membrane bound bodies within their cytoplasm. These cells, referred to as basal indifferent supporting cells, were probably involved in the phagocytosis and elimination of degenerating spermatocytes, which failed to differentiate into spermatids and spermatozoa in animals under one year of age. In 12 month old animals, a few Sertoli cells exhibiting the vesicular elements appeared in the nucleolar region while in animals over 15 months of age Sertoli cells could be positively identified by the characteristic cytoplasm containing microtubules, elongated and electron dense mitochondria, extensive granular endoplasmic reticulum and the presence of spermatids in various stages of spermiogenesis. The vesicular elements in the nucleolar region of the Sertoli cells were most prominent at this stage. Ultrastructural features of the Sertoli cells revealed an abundance of ribosome-like particles surrounding the vesicles of varying size. Some of these vesicular elements contained amorphous material suggesting that they represent the products sequestered in the nuclear region for transport to the cytoplasm and that the process of spermiogenesis may be dependent on the ability of Sertoli cells to generate these products at sexual maturity.
The distribution of lectin bindings in the testis of babirusa, Babyrousa babyrussa (Suidae) was studied histochemically using 10 biotinylated lectins, Peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA I), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA), Soybean agglutinin (SBA), Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA), Concanavalin A(Con A) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA I). Nine of 10 lectins showed a variety of staining patterns in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitial cells. The acrosome of Golgi-, cap- and acrosome-phase spermatids displayed various PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA and WGA bindings, indicating the presence of glycoconjugates with D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine sugar residues respectively. No affinity was detected in the acrosome of late spermatids. LCA, PSA and Con A which have affinity for D-mannose and D-glucose sugar residues were positive in the cytoplasm of spermatids and spermatocytes. DBA was positive only in spermatogonia. In addition to DBA, positive binding in spermatogonia was found for VVA, WGA and Con A, suggesting the distribution of glycoconjugates with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannose and D-glucose sugar residues. Sertoli cells were stained intensely with RCA I, WGA and Con A. In Leydig cells, RCA I and Con A were strongly positive, while WGA, LCA and PSA reactions were weak to moderate. The present findings showed that the distribution pattern of lectin binding in the testis of babirusa is somewhat different from that of pig or other mammals reported previously.
Testes from nine male Malin x Santa-Ines rams with an average body weight of 43.1+/-3.53 kg, were used to study the effects of palm kernel cake (PKC) based diet on spermatogenic cells and to assess copper (Cu) levels in liver, testis and plasma in sheep. Animals were divided into three groups and randomly assigned three dietary treatments using restricted randomization of body weight in completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were 60% palm kernel cake plus 40% oil palm frond (PKC), 60% palm kernel cake plus 40% oil palm frond supplemented with 23 mg/kg dry matter of molybdenum as ammonium molybdate [(NH(4))(6)Mo(7)O(24).4H(2)O] and 600 mg/kg dry matter of sulphate as sodium sulphate [Na(2)SO(4)] (PKC-MS) and 60% concentrate of corn-soybean mix+40% oil palm frond (Control), the concentrate was mixed in a ratio of 79% corn, 20% soybean meal and 1% standard mineral mix. The results obtained showed that the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Leydig cells were not significantly different among the three treatment groups. However, spermatozoa, Sertoli cells and degenerated cells showed significant changes, which, may be probably due to the Cu content in PKC. Liver and testis Cu levels in the rams under PKC diet was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) than rams in Control and PKC-MS diets. Plasma Cu levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05) at the end of the experiment as compared to at the beginning of the experiment for PKC and Control. In conclusion, spermatogenesis is normal in rams fed the diet without PKC and PKC supplemented with Mo and S. However spermatogenesis was altered in the PKC based diet probably due to the toxic effects of Cu and the significant changes in organs and plasma. Thus, Mo and S play a major role in reducing the accumulation of Cu in organs.
Ethanol is a testicular toxin and it causes fertility abnormalities with low sperm count and impaired sperm motility in men. The present study was designed to investigate plasma testosterone level and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis function in alcoholic men and also effect of ethanol on systemic oxidative stress. Forty six male alcohol abusers in the age group 20-40 years were selected. Fifty five, males in the same age group served as control. Alcohol abusers had significantly low plasma testosterone with low luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition they had significantly high thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase, and low glutathione, ascorbic acid, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, serum testosterone level in alcoholics negatively correlated with duration of alcohol abuse, and TBARS. Duration dependent decreased serum testosterone level in alcohol abusers might be due to 1) increased oxidative stress which can damage Leydig and supporting Sertoli cells and 2) impaired HPG axis.
We report a case of an 86 year old Chinese man who presented with a painless right testicular swelling that had persisted for one year. There was no history of maldescend or cryptorchid testes. Clinical and ultrasound examination revealed testicular tumour with two round masses within the right scrotal sac, with minimal fluid seen within the sac. Tumour markers were normal. He subsequently underwent a right inguinal orchidectomy under local anaesthesia as he had an underlying cardiac insufficiency. Histopathological examination revealed malignant Sertoli cell tumour. True Sertoli cell mesenchyme tumours constitute less than 1% of all testicular cancers.Current literature on histopathological and clinical features and treatment options are reviewed.
Destruction of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) along the chemotherapy and radiotherapy is one of the side effects of cancer treatments that lead to infertility. In vitro propagation of hSSCs is necessary to obtain an adequate number of cells for successful transplantation. In this study, hSSCs were isolated from testis biopsies of the patients with maturation arrest and proliferated in DMEM in the presence of LIF and bFGF for 5 weeks. The various types of human spermatogonia were identified in culture system and compared with testis tissue using morphological criteria at the ultrastructural level. The results showed that although many various types of spermatogonia were identified, but no remarkable difference was observed between spermatogonial cells in culture system and testis tissue. Electron and light microscopic studies of hSSC colonies did not show differentiated SSCs in the culture system. The results also showed that probably the suitable time for transplanting of SSCs in recipient testis is 2-3 weeks after culture. Because apoptosis which may affect the development of germ cells has not started in colony cells at this time and the population of apoptotic cells are low.
The effects of differences in smoke concentration and exposure duration in Sprague Dawley rats to determine variation in type and severity of the testis apoptosis were evaluated. The daily dosages were 10, 20 and 30 non-filter cigarettes for a period of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Mainstream smoke exposure suppressed body weight gain in all regimens. A dose-related increase in plasma nicotine concentration was observed in smoke-exposed groups for 4, 6, 8 and 12 week regimens. Histopathological examination of the exposed groups showed disturbances in the stages of spermatogenesis, tubules atrophying and these appeared to be dose-related. Cytoplasmic caspase-3 immunostaining was detected both in Sertoli cells and germ cells in smoke-exposure groups. An increase in TUNEL-positive cells of testicular cells was observed after 6 weeks of cigarette exposure. The results indicate that cigarette exposure concentration and duration have interaction effect to induce apoptosis in the rat testes.
The recent expanding rat population is causing severe economic losses and diseases in human. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antifertility effects of Andrographis paniculata (AP) methanol extract on the weight of testis, sexual behaviour, fertility, sperm quality and serum testosterone level in treated male rats compared with control rats. A total of 21 adult male rats Sprague-Dawley aged 12 weeks were divided into three groups; control group (distilled water), low dose group (800 mg/kg) and high dose group (1600 mg/kg) of AP methanol extracts given orally for 24 days. Body and testis weight, sexual behaviour test, fertility test, sperm quality and serum testosterone level were measured. Oral administration of AP methanol extract showed a significant decrease in testis weight, number of mountings, number of fetuses, sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone levels for all treatment group as compared with the control group, whereas mortality showed a significant increase. Observation on testis histology of treatment group exhibited features of degeneration in Sertoli cells and germinal cells in the seminiferous tubules, followed by the shrinkage of Leydig cells as compared with the control group, which showed characteristics of normal spermatogenesis. In conclusion, AP methanol extract exhibited antifertility effects in male rats, suggesting that AP is a potential herb to be applied as rodenticide.