Postnatal developmental anatomy of testes and epididymis of Gaddi goats / Desarrollo anatómico postnatal de los testículos y epidídimo de cabras Gaddi

The study revealed that the testes of one-day-old Gaddi goats have descended in the scrotum along with adnexa. They were elongated compressed latero-medially and became ovoid during their postnatal growth and morphogenesis. The two testes were not different significantly in their weight and measurement. The average weight which was about 2.9 gm at birth grew to 107 gm (40X) in pubertal animals and nearly maintained it during the post-puberty (113 g). The mean length (1.46 cm), width (0.85 cm) and thickness (0.62 cm) also grew by 47, 60, and 83 times, respectively. In post-pubertal animals it measured 7.06 x 5.20 x 5.10 cm. The study indicated a very fast growth of the testes from birth to puberty, which did not alter significantly after that. A relatively much faster growth in thickness and width over the length was the reason behind the change of the morphology from more elongated shape at birth to ovoid shape on maturity. The mediastinum testis was grossly discernible in the testis even at birth. Epididymis was identifiable into caput, corpus and cauda. The gross linear mensuration of these components did not differ in the caput and cauda regions on either side, whereas the length of corpus was more on the left side in all age group of animals. The growth curve revealed a continuous growth of all segments, but the fastest growth occurred in the early postnatal life (at 12­18 month age).

El estudio reveló que los testículos de las cabras Gaddi, de un día de edad, descienden al escroto junto con sus anexos. Se elongaron en dirección latero-medial y convirtieron en ovoides durante su crecimiento postnatal y en la morfogénesis. Los dos testículos no fueron significativamente diferentes en su peso y medidas. El peso promedio fue aproximadamente de 2,9 g al nacer, y aumentó a 107 g (40X) en animales púberes y casi mantuvo su peso durante la post-pubertad (113 g). La longitud (1,46 cm), ancho (0,85 cm) y espesor (0,62 cm) también crecieron unas 47, 60 y 83 veces, respectivamente. En los animales post-puberales las medidas fueron de 7,06 x 5,20 x 5.10 cm. Se observó un crecimiento muy rápido de los testículos desde el nacimiento hasta la pubertad, sin alterarse de manera significativa posteriormente. Un crecimiento relativamente mucho más rápido en espesor y anchura, sobre la longitud, fue la razón detrás del cambio de la morfología desde la forma más alargada, presente en el nacimiento, a la forma ovoide de la madurez. El mediastino testicular fue claramente identificado en el testículo, inclusive en el nacimiento. En el epidídimo se identificaron las porciones de la cabeza, cuerpo y cola. La medición lineal de estos componentes no difirió en las regiones de la cabeza y cola de cada lado, mientras que la longitud del cuerpo fue mayor en el lado izquierdo en todos los grupos. La curva de crecimiento reveló un crecimiento continuo de todos los segmentos, pero el mayor crecimiento se produjo en la vida postnatal temprana (entre los 12 y 18 meses).

Testicular and epididymal ltrasonography in Santa Inês lambs raised in Brazil

The objective of this work was to study, through ultrasonographic evaluation, changes in testes and epididymides of clinically healthy, peripubertal and pubertal Santa Inês lambs raised in Brazil. Periodic e valuations of weight, biometric characteristics (scrotal circumference, width and length) and ultrasound examinatio ns of the testes and epididymides of 20 lambs were performed between 84 and 280 days old at intervals of 28 days. Scans were performed in the sagittal, transverse, frontal and oblique planes to evaluate the echotexture of the testicular parenchyma and mediastinum and the tail epididymis as well as the thickness and width of the mediastinum testis. The testicular parenchyma demonstrated a homogeneous echogenicity patter n ranging from low to moderate. The echogenicity of testicular parenchyma increased in direct proportion to animal age, being higher in pubertal lambs when compared to prepubertal at the same age. The mediastinum testis was observed in 100% of the evaluated animals, regardless of the scan plane used, and was classified as diffuse or moderately or highly echogenic. Echogenicity and the thickness of the mediastinum testis increased in direct proportion to animal age. The epididymal tail was presented in hypoechoic relation to the testicular parenchyma. Based on these results, it was concluded that ultrasound is useful tool for selection and morphophysiological evaluation of Santa Inês lambs on peripubertal and pubertal phases, when used in combination with other methods such as semen evaluation.

Immunolocalization of laminin during postnatal development of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens of albino rat

Disorders of testicular function may have their origins in fetal or early life as a result of abnormal development. Laminin-1 is emerging as the key molecule in early embryonic basement membrane assembly. Accumulating evidence supported the idea that extracellular matrix [ECM] molecules and mesenchymal cells might influence Sertoli and spermatogenic cell functions. Detecting the changes in the distribution and prevalence of laminin-1 assembly during postnatal development of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens in albino rats. Thirty male albino rats were used and divided into six groups [n= 5 each] according to the age [postnatal day]. These were one day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks postnatal. Specimens were fixed and processed, sectioned and stained by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical stain for laminin-1. The area percent of positive laminin immunostaining was measured and results were statistically analyzed. at day one postnatal, the testis was formed of solid un-canalized cords of seminiferous tubules with abundant laminin expression in the cells of the cords. With advancement of development the cords were luminized and the laminin expression declined to involve the basement membrane and the apical portions of the Sertoli cells at the 8[th] week postnatal. The epididymis at postnatal day one had a small diameter and narrow lumen and laminin expression involved the cytoplasm of the epithelial lining. As development proceeded the expression became confined to the apical portion, the site of stereocilia together with its presence in the basement membranes. The same pattern of changes in laminin expression together with morphological appearance was detected in the vas deferens. The present study was able to demonstrate a change in the distribution as well as the prevalence of laminin-1 immunoreactivity within the testis, epididymis and vas. During the period of postnatal development starting at postnatal day one up to 8 weeks postnatal. This would reflect an essential role for laminin in early postnatal period of development

Increase in apoptosis and of the stress protein HSP70 in the mouse epididymis produced by the antiandrogen flutamide / El antiandrógeno flutamida produce un aumento de la apoptosis y de la proteína de stress HSP70 en el epidídimo del ratón

The general aim of this paper was to characterize some changes induced by androgen receptors blockage in the epithelial cells of the mouse epididymis. The antiandrogen flutamide was injected (10 mg/Kg b.w.) to adult male mice which were sacrificed 24h. and 72h. after. Controls injected with the vehicle (corn oil) were sacrificed at the same intervals. Cryosections were made of the epididymides and examined by the TUNEL method for quantification of apoptosis and also using immunocytochemistry to visualize the expression of the stress protein HSP70. The highest indexes of apoptosis were observed in the caput epididymis after 72 h. and were of 7.40 cells/1000 in contrast to controls (0.21 cells/1000). HSP70 appeared particularly increased in the caput and cauda epididymis after 72 h. treatment. Results indicated that the blockage of androgen receptors induces apoptosis and a HSP70 expression in the principal epithelial cells of the mouse epididymis, and that these changes occur in a region-specific fashion.

Este trabajo estudia los cambios inducidos por el bloqueador de receptores de andrógeno flutamida en el epitelio del epidídimo del ratón. Varios machos adultos fueron inyectados con flutamida (1Omg/Kg.b.w.) y se sacrificaron a las 24 y 72horas. Otros machos, que sirvieron de controles fueron inyectados sólo con el vehículo empleado para las inyecciones (aceite de maíz) y se sacrificaron a intervalos similares. Los epidídimos tratados y controles fueron examinados mediante el método TÚNEL para cuantificar la apoptosis y mediante procedimientos inmunocitoquímicos para localizar la proteína de stress HSP70. El índice apoptótico más alto fue observado en la cabeza del epidídimo después de 72 horas de tratamiento. HSP70 se observó también a las 72 horas en la cabeza y en la cauda epididimaria. Los resultados indican que el bloqueo de los receptores de andrógenos induce apoptosis y expresión de HSP70 en las células principales del epitelio epididimario, y que estos cambios ocurren afectando a regiones específicas del epidídimo.

Insulin 3-like hormone and its role in epididymo-testicular descent

PURPOSE: The role of insulin 3-like (Insl3) hormone signaling in the testicular descent process has been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate epididymal development in Insl3-deficient mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heterozygous and homozygous Insl3 mutants of a mixed CD1 X 129/Sv genetic background were generated by breeding Insl3-/- females with Insl3+/- males, and their genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. On the first postnatal day, newborn males were sacrificed, embedded in paraffin, and cut in 4 µm sections. Sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and immunoreacted with anti-± actin antibody. RESULTS: An analysis of stained sections indicated an arrest in the development of the epididymis in all homozygous mice. The cauda and corpus of the epididymis were undersized. Compared to the heterozygous epididymis, the homozygous epididymis had fewer peritubular layers and dwarfish musculature. We confirmed this with immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies against ± -smooth muscle actin. CONCLUSION: Defective development of the smooth musculature in the epididymis of Insl3 homozygous mutant mice, combined with its high intraabdominal undescended position, supports previous observations regarding the importance of intact epididymis morphology and function for descent of the epididymo-testicular unit.

Localização histoquímica de algumas hidrolases no epidídimo do gerbilo / Histochemical localization of some hydrolases in the epididymis of the gerbil

Neste estudo verificou-se, principalmente, que a expressão tissular da FoAl esteve presente nas regiões proximais do epidídimo de gerbilo. As reatividades da FoAc e da ATPase foram intensas (fortes), na maioria das regiões do epidídimo caracterizadas, marcadamente ao nível do citoplasma apical das células do epitélio tubular, exceto no corpo epididimal um delgado ístmo de conexão da cabeça à cauda epidiclimárias nesta espécie, com notória hiporeatividade enzimática a praticamente todas as enzimas aqui estudadas. A SDH mostrou também fraca atividade em todas as regiões, e estruturas do ducto epidiclimário do gerbilo, exceto no compartimento intraluminal onde se verificou atividade SDH-intensa nos espermatozóides estocados no lúmen. As reações enzimáticas caracterizadas foram correlacionadas com alguns papéis histofisiológicos tais como a mediação enzimática das fosfatases e ATPase em processos como endocitose, secreção, absorção e processo de transporte ativo das células do epitélio tubular. Uma possível marcação específica de mitocôndrias da peça média dos espermatozóides intraluminais pela SDH foi sugerida, com embasamento em processos metabólicos das mitocôndrias.

This study mainly showed that alkaline phosphatase expression had been present in the proximal regions of the epididymidis ductus of the gerbil which comprised the initial segment and proximal caput. The reactivities of acid phosphatase and ATPase were strong in the proximal and clistal regions of the epididymidis ductus at the level of the apical cytoplasm and epithelium, except at the corpus level, a very thin isthmus located between the caput and cauda epididymidis, and as a general rule a low enzymatic reactive region of the epididymidis of gerbil. SDH revealed also low activities in ali the regions and regional structures of the duct, except into the luminal content formed by storaged spermatozoa, prior on the cauda leveI. The enzymes presented in the epididymidis were correlated to some histophysiological roles such as the enzymatic mecliation of endocytosis, secretion, absorption and active transport concerning to phosphatases and A TPase and a possible mitochondrial role of SDH could occur at the spermatozoa level in which the middle pieces were formed by a great amount of mitochondria.