Immunohistochemical localization of glucose transporter 1 and 3 in the scrotal and abdominal testes of a dog / 한국실험동물학회지

Glucose is essential for testicular function; the uptake of carbohydrate-derived glucose by cells is mediated by glucose transporters (GLUTs). In the present study, we investigated the activity of GLUT1 and GLUT3, the two main isoforms of GLUTs found in testes, in the left scrotal and right abdominal testes of a German Shepherd dog. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that GLUT1 immunoreactivity was absent in the scrotal and abdominal testes. In contrast, weak to moderate GLUT3 immunoreactivity was observed in mature spermatocytes as well as spermatids in the scrotal testis. In the abdominal testis, relatively strong GLUT3 immunoreactivity was detected in Leydig cells only and was absent in mature spermatocytes and spermatids. GLUT3 immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in the tubular region of abdominal testis and significantly increased in the extra-tubular (interstitial) region of abdominal testis compared to observations in the each region of scrotal testis, respectively. These results suggest that GLUT3 is the major glucose transporter in the testes and that abdominal testes may increase the uptake of glucose into interstitial areas, leading to an increased risk of developing cancer.

Differential expression of estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor in the normal and cryptorchid testis of a dog / 한국실험동물학회지

Descending of the testes is an important process for spermatogenesis and cryptorchidism is one of the most relevant genital defects in dogs. In a previous study, we observed abnormal morphology and proliferation of Sertoli cells in a cryptorchid testis. In the present study, we investigated the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the normal and cryptorchid testis of a dog. Elective orchidectomy was performed on the dog's abdominal right testis (undescended, cryptorchid) and scrotal left testis (descended, normal). In the normal testis, estrogen receptor α immunoreactivity was detected in Leydig cells alone, while estrogen receptor α immunoreactivity in the cryptorchid testis was significantly prominent in the Sertoli cells as well. In addition, progesterone receptor immunoreactivity in the control testis was detected in the spermatids, but was not detected in the cryptorchid testis. This result suggests that unilateral cryptorchidism causes increases of estrogen receptor α expression in Sertoli cells.

Impact of unilateral cryptorchidism on the levels of serum anti-müllerian hormone and inhibin B / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the influence of unilateral cryptorchidism on the levels of serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We enrolled 65 patients with unilateral cryptorchidism and 45 healthy children in this study. We measured the length and circumference of the penis, the testis volume in the cryptorchidism side, and the levels of serum AMH and inhibin B at the age of 6 and 12 months, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the healthy controls, the patients with unilateral cryptorchidism showed significant decreases at 12 months in serum AMH (［108.06±12.40］ vs ［103.26±17.57］ ng/ml, P<0.05) and inhibin B (［77.43±5.66］ vs ［70.21±5.69］ pg/ml, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the length and circumference of the penis and the testis volume in the cryptorchidism side at 6 and 12 months (P>0.05), or in the levels of serum AMH and inhibin B at 6 months (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Unilateral cryptorchidism affects the gonadal function of the patient, and orchiopexy should be timely performed in order to reduce its impact.</p>

Unilateral cryptorchidism induces morphological changes of testes and hyperplasia of Sertoli cells in a dog / 한국실험동물학회지

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common genital defects in dogs. This study investigated the effects of abdominal cryptorchidism on morphology, cell proliferation, and Sertoli cell condition in a dog with spontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism. Elective orchidectomy was performed on the abdominal right testis and the scrotal left testis. Significant reductions in numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids were observed in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the cryptorchid testis. The size of the epididymal duct was smaller than that of the control testis. Based on Ki67 immunohistochemistry, the proliferative activity of spermatogonia and spermatocytes was significantly decreased in the cryptorchid testis. However, proliferative activity was increased in the epididymal duct. Based on GATA-4 immunohistochemistry, Sertoli cells were relatively resistant to cryptorchidism, and the proliferative activity of Sertoli cells was markedly increased in the cryptorchid testis than in the control testis. These results suggest that spontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism causes morphological defects in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testis and changes the size of the efferent ductule of the epididymis. In addition, spontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism increases proliferative activity of Sertoli cells, which may be a predisposing factor for Sertoli cell cancer in cryptorchid testes.

Histomorphologic Changes of the Contralateral Testis in Unilateral Inguinal Cryptorchidism / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of infertility in unilateral cryptorchidism remains unclear. We studied prospectively to evaluate the cause concerning potential infertility in unilateral inguinal cryptorchidism.Materials and Methods: Between Feb 1998 and July 2000, 30 specimens were taken by ipsilateral undescended and contralateral descened testicular biopsies in 15 unilateral inguinal cryptorchid boys (age range: 1-11 years, mean: 4.7 years). Control testicular biopsies were performed in 5 hydrocele boys (age range: 1-9 years, mean: 5.1 years). We performed histomorphologic analysis including spermatogonia per tubule (S/T) value, Sertoli cell index (SCI), tubular degeneration phase V-VII (TDP V-VII), mean tubular diameter (MTD), and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue (thickened tubular basement membrane and peritubular fibrosis). RESULTS: Testis volume, S/T value, and MTD were significantly different between ipsilateral cryptorchid and contralateral testes. However, there was no significant difference between ipsilateral cryptorchid and contralateral testis in SCI, TDP V-VII, and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue. We found significant difference between contralateral and control testis in testis volume, S/T value, MTD, TDP V-VII, and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue except SCI.Conclusions: Decreased testis volume, S/T value, MTD and increased TDP V-VII of contralateral testis are associated with germinal hypoplasia. These findings may explain the pathogenesis of infertility in unilateral inguinal cryptorchidism.

Semen Analysis for Evaluation of Fertility in Untreated Unilateral Cryptorchidism / 대한비뇨기과학회지

In order to clarify high incidence of impaired fertility associated with unilateral cryptorchidism, this clinical study was made on 21 cases of unilateral cryptorchidism from the Department of Urology National Medical Center during recent 5 years. Fertility was evaluated by seminal quality, testicular gross anatomy and cryptorchid testicular histology. Examination of the seminal fluid that included sperm count, motility and morphology was performed according to the standard method. The result of our seminal studies showed that 38% (<20 millions) or 47.6% (<40 millions) of the unilateral cryptorchids were oligospermic. The incidence of oligospermia is significantly higher in individuals with an apparently normal solitary testis than in the general population.

Semen Analysis for Evaluation of Fertility in Untreated Unilateral Cryptorchidism / 대한비뇨기과학회지

In order to clarify high incidence of impaired fertility associated with unilateral cryptorchidism, this clinical study was made on 21 cases of unilateral cryptorchidism from the Department of Urology National Medical Center during recent 5 years. Fertility was evaluated by seminal quality, testicular gross anatomy and cryptorchid testicular histology. Examination of the seminal fluid that included sperm count, motility and morphology was performed according to the standard method. The result of our seminal studies showed that 38% (<20 millions) or 47.6% (<40 millions) of the unilateral cryptorchids were oligospermic. The incidence of oligospermia is significantly higher in individuals with an apparently normal solitary testis than in the general population.