Neurochemical characterization of the hypothalamus of the early fetal and newborn alpaca Vicugna pacos.

In this study we performed a neurochemical characterization of the hypothalamus in the developing alpaca (Vicugna pacos) with the aim of revealing the distributions of immunoreactive (-ir) cells containing parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), the somatostatin (SOM), the enzyme aromatase P450 (P450Arom), the estrogen receptor α (ER-α), and estrogen receptor ß (ER-ß) in embryonal stages, early fetal age, and in the newborn. This analysis has been carried out on embryos at 20, 30, 45 days, fetuses at 90 days, and newborn alpaca. Our immunohistochemical results revealed no cells-ir throughout the embryonic hypothalami of 20, 30, and 45 days. On the fetal stage of 90 days, SOM-ir cells were observed in the lateral hypothalamus and the ventromedial nuclei of the tuberal region. We checked for the presence of P450Arom-ir cells in the periventricular area and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus of the tuberal region. In these fetal stages, no PV-ir, CB-ir, CR-ir or ERs-ir cells were identified. In the newborn, the PV-ir, CB-ir, CR-ir, and SOM-ir cells were detected in both the anterior and tuberal hypothalamic area. The P450Arom-ir cells the ER-α-ir and ER-ß-ir cells were found in the anterior hypothalamus. Our results offer a contribution in the future purpose to obtain a time-expression pattern of the considered markers in alpaca during gestation and represents a foundation for future investigations on the alpaca brain to define the cross talk between PV, CB, CR, P450Arom, SOM, and ERs in the hypothalamus, the strategic region for the control of the reproductive behavior.

The protective effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on testicular oxidative stress in lead-induced toxicity mediated by Cyp19 gene / estradiol level.

Exposure to heavy metals contributes to most of the unexplained male infertility. Lead (Pb) is a well- known heavy metal, which disrupt the male reproductive system. This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic and protective effects of green tea active principle, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on the lead toxicity-induced infertility in male rats. Male albino rats receiving lead acetate (PbAc, 50 mg/l) once a daily in drinking water showed reduction of spermatozoa count and motility, diminishing the weights of testes, seminal vesicle and epididymis, low level of serum testosterone and 17ß-estradiol (E2), and degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. Additionally, the Pb exposure caused a testicular oxidative stress with a decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) enzymes, a remarkable rising in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as a downregulation in P450 aromatase gene expression (Cyp19) in the rats' testicular tissues. These adverse effects of Pb were ameliorated by EGCG treatment, which increased testosterone, E2 serum level, and aromatase P450 gene expression, and improved testicular architecture and semen picture. Additionally, EGCG decreased the tissue levels of MDA and retained the levels of antioxidative enzymes. In conclusion, EGCG administration can provide a significant protection against testicular toxicity caused by pb, indicating the beneficial roles of EGCG on the male reproductive system.

Thymoquinone attenuates testicular and spermotoxicity following subchronic lead exposure in male rats: Possible mechanisms are involved.

AIMS: The testis is one of the main target organs for lead (Pb) toxicity. The current study was investigated the mechanism (s) of the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone (TQ), the active principle of Nigella sativa seed, against testicular toxicity following subchronic Pb exposure in the light of cytopathic effects, apoptotic signaling pathways, oxidative stress, serum sex hormones levels and testicular aromatase gene expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male albino rats were randomly allocated into control, PbAc (20 mg PbAc/kg bwt, orally), TQ (5 mg TQ/kg bwt dissolved in corn oil, orally), and PbAc + TQ groups for 56 successive days. KEY FINDINGS: PbAc-treated rats showed significant decrease of testes and epididymes weights, sperm count, motility and viability, spermatogenesis score and serum FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol levels, as well as a significant decreased testicular antioxidant molecules (Superoxide dismutase enzyme and reduced glutathione), and a significant elevation of sperm abnormalities, oxidative biomarkers (Malondialdehyde and Nitric oxide) compared to a control group. In addition, Pb induced significant downregulation of aromatase gene expression, activation of Bax and Caspase-3 apoptotic pathways. Moreover, Pb caused complete seminiferous tubules hyalinization (38%), germinal epithelium sloughing (15%) and hypocellularity (8%). However, administration of TQ with PbAc improved sperm quality, testicular histology and oxidative/antioxidative status, and serum levels of LH, testosterone and E2 with respect to PbAc group. Additionally, TQ with PbAc significantly lessen the staining intensity and the area of Bax and Caspase-3 immunoexpression. SIGNIFICANCE: TQ might exert its acceptable therapeutic potential against Pb-induced testicular and spermotoxicity via anti-oxidative, endocrine and anti-apoptotic pathways.

Protective effect of diallyl sulfide against lead-mediated oxidative damage, apoptosis and down-regulation of CYP19 gene expression in rat testes.

AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a natural component of garlic (Allium sativum), in the improvement of lead (Pb)-induced testicular toxicity and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male albino rats were randomly divided into control, PbAc (20 mg lead acetate/kg bwt, orally), DAS (200 mg/kg bwt, orally), and PbAc + DAS groups for 49 successive days. The investigation based on the following criteria: Paired testes and epididymides weights, epididymal sperm analysis, level of serum sex hormones (Testosterone and17ß-estradiol (E2)), aromatase (CYP19) expression, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, reduced glutathione (GSH), testicular histopathology, spermatogenesis score and apoptosis detection (Caspase-3 immunoexpression). KEY FINDINGS: Pb caused significant decline in epididymal sperm count and motility, testes and epididymes weights, spermatogenesis score and serum testosterone and1E2, as well as a significant decrease in SOD and GSH level, and a significant elevation of MDA and NO compared to a control group. In addition, Pb induced significant downregulation of CYP19 gene expression, increase of Caspase-3 immunoreactivity, various testicular degenerative and necrotic changes. Whereas, co-treatment of rats with DAS improved sperm analysis, and testicular histology and antioxidative status. Furthermore, DAS co-administration regulated testicular CYP19 and Caspase-3 expressions. SIGNIFICANCE: Collectively, DAS seemed to be a promising agent for protection against Pb-induced testicular toxicity through antioxidative properties, beside regulation of testicular apoptosis and aromatase expression.

Study on the expression of aromatase P450, COX-2, ER and PR in adenomysis / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of aromatase P450,COX-2,ER and PR in the patients with adenomysis.Methods The immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of aromatase P450,COX-2,ER and PR in ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium of 30 patients with adenomyosis and 30 cases in control group.Results The expression of aromatase P450,COX-2 in ectopic endometrium were significantly higher than those in eutopic endometrium (all P ＜ 0.05) ; The expression of ER,PR in ectopic endometrium were significantly lower than those in eutopic endometrium (all P ＜ 0.05),excepted the expression of PR in eutopic endometrium,the expressions of both ER and PR lose their periodical cycle.There was positive correlation between the expression of aromatase P450 and COX-2 in adenomysis group(P ＜ 0.05).In adenomyosis,the expression of aromatase P450,COX-2,ER and PR in dysmenorrhea subgroup were significantly higher than those in non-dys menorrhea subgroup(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Aromatase P450,COX-2 and ER play important roles in the genesis and development of adenomyosis and dysmenorrheal,PR is not the main pathogenic factors of adenomyosis.The expressions of aromatase P450,COX-2 and ER in adenomyosis have nothing to do with endometrial cyclical change and are not subject to the regulation of ovarian hormones.

An acute exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide alters aromatase levels in testis and sperm nuclear quality.

Roundup is the major pesticide used in agriculture worldwide; it is a glyphosate-based herbicide. Its molecular effects are studied following an acute exposure (0.5%) of fifteen 60-day-old male rats during an 8-day period. Endocrine (aromatase, estrogen and androgen receptors, Gper1 in testicular and sperm mRNAs) and testicular functions (organ weights, sperm parameters and expression of the blood-testis barrier markers) were monitored at days 68, 87, and 122 after treatment, spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis. The major disruption is an increase of aromatase mRNA levels at least by 50% in treated rats at all times, as well as the aromatase protein. We have also shown a similar increase of Gper1 expression at day 122 and a light modification of BTB markers. A rise of abnormal sperm morphology and a decrease of the expression of protamine 1 and histone 1 testicular in epididymal sperm are observed despite a normal sperm concentration and motility.

Expression and clinical application of aromatasecy P450 and receptor of estrogen and progesterone in the tissue of endometrial cancinoma / 医学研究生学报

Objective:To study the expression of aromatasecy P450 and receptor of estrogen and progesterone in the tissue of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancinoma,analysis the correlation of the endometrial carcinoma pathogenesis,clinical stage and cell differentiation.Methods:The immunohistochemiscal S-P method techniques were performed to study the expression of aromatasecy P450,estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) in the tissue of endometrium from 226 cases,including 42 cases of normal endometrium,52 cases of simple endometrial hyperplasia,38 cases of complex endometrial hyperplasia,36 cases of endometrial atypical hyperplasia and 58 cases of endometrial carcinoma.Results:There was no the positive expression in the normal endometrial tissues.But the positive expressions of aromatasecy P450 were found in the tissue of endometrial hyperplasia(simple endometrial hyperplasia,complex endometrial,atypical hyperplasia)and endometrial carcinoma.The rates of the positive expression were 40.4%,47.4%,69.4%,72.4% respectively.There were significant relationships among fifth groups(P