Expressions of eNOS and cytochrome P450 in the testis of sexually mature SD rats and their significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cytochrome P450 (aromatase) in the testis of sexually mature male SD rats and their significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen male SD rats, 6 five-week, 6 seven-week and 6 ten-week old, were selected for this study. Paraffin sections of the left testis were made and the expressions of eNOS and P450 observed by the immunohistochemical ABC method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive expressions of eNOS and P450 were found to be + + +, + and + + in the Leydig cells of the five-week, seven-week and ten-week old rats, respectively, and they were also observed in a few spermatocytes, though with no regularity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the Leydig cells of sexually mature male SD rats, eNOS and P450 are differently expressed in different stages of sexual maturation, and they are correlated as well.</p>

Expression and role of nitric oxide synthase in the testis and epididymis of Macaca fascicularis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the testis and epididymis of macaca fascicularis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The immunohistochemical ABC method was used to observe the localization of nitric oxide synthase in the testis and epididymis of the macaca fascicularis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) nNOS immunoreactivity was found in the spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules, the epithelia of epididymal efferent ducts, sperm and the endothelia of blood vessels; (2) iNOS was expressed in the epididymal efferent duct, the sperm inside the duct, and the myoid cells and endothelia of blood vessels; (3) eNOS immunoreactivity was detected in the interstitial cells of the testis, the epididymal efferent duct, the sperm inside the duct, and the myoid cells and endothelia of blood vessels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NOS is extensively expressed in the testis and epididymis of the macaca fascicularis and it may play an important role in such processes as spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and testosterone secretion.</p>

Effects of glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii, methyltestosterone and zhuanggushenjin capsule on nitric oxide synthase in rat testes / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii (GTW), methyltestosterone and Zhuanggushenjin capsule on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat testes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five rats were equally divided into 5 groups, and respectively given GTW [10 mg/(kg x d)], methyltestosterone [2 mg/(kg x d)], Zhuanggushenjin capsule [0.3 g/(kg x d)], distilled water plus Tween 80 (control I), and distilled water alone (control II) for 4 weeks. At the end of the 5th week, the immunochemical ABC method was used to observe the effects of the three drugs on the NOS positive Leydig cells of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control II, the GTW group had a significant decrease in the numbers of nNOS and eNOS positive Leydig cells, the methyltestosterone group showed an increase in the number of nNOS but a decrease in that of eNOS positive Leydig cells, and the Zhuanggushenjin group had an increase in the numbers of both nNOS and eNOS positive Leydig cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTW can reduce NO production by inhibiting eNOS and nNOS, and hence influence the spermatogenic process. Zhuanggushenjin capsule plays an important role in improving male sexual function by enhancing nNOS and eNOS expression and NO synthesis.</p>