ABSTRACT
Experimental cryptorchidism is a common model for examining the expression and function of heat-sensitive spermatogenesis-related genes in testis. Previous studies have shown that germ cells in cryptorchid testis die mainly in an apoptotic way. The molecular mechanism, however, is still unclear. We have established unilateral cryptorchid monkey model (Cynomolgus Macaque) to identify possible molecules involved in the germ cell apoptosis. The degree of germ cell apoptosis, the morphology of the cryptorchid testis, and the changes in the serum concentration of FSH, LH and testosterone after cryptorchid surgery were analyzed. Sertoli cell marker molecule vimentin, the orphan receptor LRH-1, as well as the mitochondria-related protein HSP60 and Bcl-2 were examined. Our results showed that the weight of the cryptorchid testis decreased in a time-dependent manner started from day 7 after the surgery, while the weight of the scrotal testis had no obvious change. HE staining showed that from day 5, some germ cells were detached from the epithelium. A massive degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium characteristic of epithelial structural disorganization and the formation of multinucleated giant cells as well as vacuoles was observed on day 10 and 15. The cryptorchidism induced a marked germ cell apoptosis on day 3 after the operation, reaching a peak level on day 7.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Cryptorchidism/pathology , Germ Cells/pathology , Animals , Blotting, Western , Chaperonin 60/biosynthesis , DNA Fragmentation , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism , Germ Cells/metabolism , Giant Cells/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism , Macaca fascicularis , Male , Models, Biological , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis , Radioimmunoassay , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sertoli Cells/metabolism , Testis/metabolism , Time Factors , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Vimentin/biosynthesisABSTRACT
Placental development involves trophoblast outgrowth and a coordinated angiogenesis in the implantation site. In this study, expression of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), VEGF receptors, kinase insert domain-containing region (KDR), and bFGF receptor Flg was characterized at the maternal-embryonic boundary of the rhesus monkey on Day 17, 19, 28 and 34 of pregnancy. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that VEGF mRNA and protein were both strongly expressed in the cytotrophoblast, the blood vessels and certain immunocytes. These sites were also immunopositive for KDR. In addition to the vascular endothelial cells and the vascular smooth muscle cells, the protein and mRNA for bFGF were also detected in cyto/syncytiotrophoblast bilayer, whereas the staining for Flg protein was mainly localized in the cytotrophoblast cells. The staining degree of VEGF and bFGF in the villi gradually decreased with the development of placenta. Strong expression of bFGF, Flg and KDR was also detected in the decidual cells. These data suggest that VEGF and bFGF may be involved in angiogenesis, cytotrophoblast proliferation and migration during early stage of placentation in the rhesus monkey.
Subject(s)
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/metabolism , Macaca mulatta/physiology , Placenta/metabolism , Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor/metabolism , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism , Animals , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , Female , Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/genetics , Gestational Age , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Pregnancy , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor/genetics , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/metabolismABSTRACT
A total of 720 human intestinal helminthic infections were divided into 4 groups and treated with albendazole 400mg/d x 3d, 400mg/d x 5d, pyrantel 1,500mg/d x 3d, or 1,500mg/d x 5d. Half a month after treatment, the negative rates of hookworm egg were 98.6, 98.6, 86.2 and 93.5%, those of ascaris egg were 96.5, 98.2, 92.9 and 96.3%, and those of whipworm egg were 86.4, 89.0, 68.9 and 67.0% respectively. Reduction rate of hookworm egg reached more than 98% in all the 4 groups. Six months after treatment, however, the positive rates of all the 4 groups rose again in varying degrees. The predominant species of hookworm infections was Necator americanus before the treatment and Ancylostoma duodenale after the treatment. It was demonstrated that the recurrence of hookworm infection resulted from A. duodenale infections, while a single dose of 400mg albendazole per day for 3 or 5 days showed good effect in controlling the recurrence of hookworm infections in a certain area.
