Immunolocalization assessment of metastasis-associated protein 1 in human and mouse mature testes and its association with spermatogenesis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the stage-specific localization of metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) during spermatogenesis in adult human and mouse testis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The immunolocalization of MTA1 was studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The distribution pattern of MTA1 in mouse testis was confirmed by using quantitative analysis of purified spermatogenic cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The specificity of polyclonal antibody was confirmed by Western blot analysis. MTA1 was found expressed in the nucleus of germ cells, except elongate spermatids, and in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells; Leydig cells did not show any specific reactivity. MTA1 possessed different distribution patterns in the two species: in humans, the most intensive staining was found in the nucleus of round spermatids and of primary spermatocytes while in mice, the most intense MTA1 staining was in the nucleus of leptotene, zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes. In both species the staining exhibited a cyclic pattern.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present communication initially provides new evidence for the potential role of MTA1 in mature testis. In addition, its distinctive expression in germ cells suggests a regulatory role of the peptide during spermatogenesis.</p>

DHA depletion in rat brain is associated with impairment on spatial learning and memory / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) deficiency in brain on spatial learning and memory in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague Dawley rats were fed with an n-3 fatty acid deficient diet for two generations to induce DHA depletion in brain. DHA in seven brain regions was analyzed using the gas-liquid chromatography. Morris water maze (MWM) was employed as an assessing index of spatial learning and memory in the n-3 fatty acid deficient adult rats of second generation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Feeding an n-3 deficient diet for two generations depleted DHA differently by 39%-63% in the seven brain regions including cerebellum, medulla, hypothalamus, striatum, hippocampus, cortex and midbrain. The MWM test showed that the n-3 deficient rats took a longer time and swam a longer distance to find the escape platform than the n-3 Adq group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The spatial learning and memory in adult rats are partially impaired by brain DHA depletion.</p>

Stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor beta1 and beta3 and their receptors during spermatogenesis in men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 and beta3 during spermatogenesis in adult human testis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The localization of TGFbeta1 and beta3 was investigated by immunohistochemical staining method employing specific polyclonal antibodies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both TGFbeta1 and beta3 and their receptors were preponderant in the Leydig cells. TGFbeta1 could not be detected in the seminiferous tubules. TGFbeta3 and TGFbeta-Receptor (R) I were mainly seen in the elongated spermatids, while TGFbeta-RII in the pachytene spermatocytes and weak in the spermatogonia, spermatids and Sertoli cells. Only TGFbeta-RII was detected in the Sertoli cells. TGFbeta3, TGFbeta-RI and TGFbeta-RII showed a staining pattern dependent upon the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGFbeta isoforms and their receptors are present in the somatic and germ cells of the adult human testis, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of spermatogenesis.</p>

Expression and localization of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in rat testis during postnatal development / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the expression and regulation of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins (intracellular signaling molecules of transforming growth factor-b family) in rat testis during postnatal development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The whole testes were collected from SD rats aged 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90 (adult) days. The cellular localization and developmental changes were examined by immunohistochemistry ABC method with the glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel enhancement technique. Quantitative analysis of the immunostaining was made by the image analysis system. The Smads proteins coexistence in the adult rat testis was tested by the double immune staining for CD14-Smad4 and Smad2-Smad4. The protein expression of Smad during rat testicular development was examined by means of Western blots.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 were present throughout testicular development. The immunostaining of Smad1 and Smad2 were present in spermatogenic cells. A positive immunoreactivity was located at the cytoplasm, but the nucleus was negative. Smad1 was immunolocalized at the d14, d28 and adult testes, while Smad2, at the d7, d14, d28 and adult testis. There was positive immunoreaction in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells as well. The immunolocalization of Smad4 was exclusively at the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and the nuclei were negative throughout the testicular development. No expression was detected in the germ cells. The results of image and statistical analysis showed that generally the expression of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 in the testis tended to increase gradually with the growth of the rat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present data provide direct evidences for the molecular mechanism of TGF-bgr action in rat testes during postnatal development and spermatogenesis.</p>