CD15 in trophotaeniae of the viviparous goodeid fish Xenotoca eiseni (Cyprinodontiformes, Teleostei).

The antigen CD15, also known as 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine (FAL), or Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen (SSEA-1) is a cell membrane and cytoplasmic antigen, that is present in several mammalian tissues. Using immunohistochemistry the monoclonal antibodies 3B9 and B4,3 detected CD15 in whole mount preparations of trophotaeniae of embryos of the matotroph viviparous teleost Xenotoca eiseni. A specific localization is encountered in the ecto- and entodermal portion of the trophotaenial epithelium. A positive reaction in the fibrocytes of the inner mesenchymal core of trophotaeniae is doubtful since a relative high background is present in these cells. CD15 positivity has been observed in all developmental stages studied. The exact role of CD15 is unclear. An involvement in endocytic activity is postulated.

Description of eight phases of spermiogenesis in the marmoset testis.

The differentiation of spermatids in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus, n = 9) testis is described here at the light-microscopic level employing serial semithin sections. The definition of 8 different phases of spermiogenesis, i.e. the formation of spermatids, is based upon the changes in the development of nucleus, acrosome and flagellum.

Biochemical and histochemical studies on the pituitary-testicular axis in obese (C57Bl/6J-ob/ob) mice.

Male C57Bl/6J-ob/ob mice (4 months old) and their homozygous lean controls were compared with respect to pituitary LH secretion and functional parameters of purified Leydig cells in vitro. Compared with controls, obese mice showed reductions in the following parameters: Plasma testosterone levels (reduced by 57%), hCG-stimulated testosterone formation in vitro (by 31%), conversion of progesterone to androgens by Leydig cells (by 39%), and GnRH-stimulated LH secretion (by 26%). Lipid accumulation and a 37% decrease in naphthylesterase activity in the Leydig cells as well as hyperplasia of pituitary gonadotrophs were observed histochemically in obese mice. The changes in testicular endocrine function in obese mice are interpreted as consequences of pituitary dysfunction.

Electron microscopic evidence for deep invaginations of the lamina propria towards the seminiferous tubule lumen in a patient with varicocele.

Ultrastructural studies on biopsy tissue from the right testis of a 39-year old patient with varicocele revealed 2.5-5 microns thick invaginations of the lamina propria towards the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. These invaginations were of various lengths. The presence of invaginations was confirmed through examination of serial semi-thin sections. In some seminiferous tubules two neighbouring deep invaginations were joined together thus completely encircling and thereby separating the basal compartment, and in some cases even the adluminal compartment, of the seminiferous tubule. The invaginations were surrounded continuously by the basement membrane and contained collagen fibres, cell processes of myoid cells and in some cases also their nuclei.

Histochemical demonstration of zinc in the spermatotheka of Salamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia, Urodela).

Zinc has been localized histochemically in the spermatotheka of the salamander Salamandra salamandra using a modified dithizone method. Results are discussed regarding the specificity of the method as well as the significance of Zn for long sperm storage and for possible reactivation of spermatozoa.

[Distribution of heavy metals in human ejaculate--a histochemical study]. / Die Schwermetallverteilung im menschlichen Ejakulat--eine histochemische Studie.

With the help of a modified dithizone method, heavy metals could be demonstrated in the sperms, the ejaculate fluid, and the spermatogenic cells of men. The heavy metals were localized in the sperms in form of small red granules particularly in the mid piece with a distribution like a "string of pearls". The sperms with a lower motility index often did not show any heavy metal granules in the mid pieces. The absence of essential heavy metals like zinc, iron or manganese may lead to the inhibition of enzyme systems in the mid pieces of the sperms, which are essential for the motility.

Mg2+-ATPase activity in the rat testis and its correlation with the stages of spermatogenesis: a histochemical study.

The activity of Mg2+-activated ATPase was studied in the rat testis employing histochemical and microphotometrical methods. The enzymatic activity could be correlated with the stages of spermatogenesis. From stage XII onwards, the elongated spermatids showed a weak to moderate activity, which increased from the acrosomal phase to the maturation phase. The reaction product was located in the mid-piece and tail piece of elongated spermatids with a maximum intensity at stage VIII. Morphometric analysis revealed six distinct patterns, which could be correlated with the stages of spermatogenesis.

Morphological and enzyme histochemical observations on alcohol induced disturbances in testis of two patients.

Testicular biopsies from two patients with alcohol induced fertility disturbances and one patient with intact spermatogenesis were investigated with the help of histological and enzyme histochemical methods. Main alcohol induced changes include: 1. loss of typical arrangement of elongated spermatids in the form of a "bunch of grapes", dominance of duplicated form of elongated spermatids, to a large extent loss of acrosomal formation: 2. thickening, hyalinosis, and sclerosis of lamina propria with nearly complete lack of Ca++-ATPase; 3. decrease of 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity in the Leydig cells, and 4. appearance of oval or spindle shaped mast cells in the interstitial tissue. Lamina propria seems to be the main target of deleterious effects of alcohol.

Demonstration of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and testosterone in the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (androblastoma) tissue of the human ovary: an enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Gynecological, endocrinological and histological tests on a 19-year-old female patient led to the diagnosis of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (arrhenoblastoma) of intermediate differentiation. For enzyme histochemical purposes the tumor tissue, removed from the right ovary by laparatomy, was frozen in liquid nitrogen. The following enzymes were demonstrated: nonspecific esterases, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDH), 17 beta-HSDH, 11 beta-HSDH, and NADH tetrazolium reductase. Cryostat sections, prefixed with formaldehyde vapors, were used to localize testosterone production immunohistochemically with the PAP method. A large number of pseudotubules with Sertoli cells were observed; the Leydig cells in the interstitial space were often arranged in the form of islands. Strong nonspecific esterase activity weak 3 beta-HSDH activity, moderate 17 beta-HSDH activity, and strong 11 beta-HSDH activity were observed largely in the Leydig cells. Testosterone synthesis, demonstrated immunohistochemically, took place predominantly in the Leydig cells, but also to a small extent in the Sertoli cells.

Reversible changes in rat spermatogenesis induced by an antifertility substance (Gossypol). A histochemical report.

Male rats received Gossypol 30 mg/kg body mass daily through intubation for 30 and 60 d. The testes were processed for histological and histochemical lipid staining, thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase), and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH)--examinations. Gossypol induced effects were: various types of deformations of elongated spermatids, and their loss of orientation towards the lamina propria during the maturation phase; displacement of germ cells and occasionally also of Sertoli cells towards the lumen of the seminiferous tubule in form of a "puff". TPPase was observed in the supranuclear region of dislocated round spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes. alpha-GPDH was observed in the split pieces of mid- and tail pieces of elongated spermatids enclosed in the "puff". The induced effects were reversible.

Demonstration of thiamine pyrophosphatase in human germ cells and Sertoli cells, a histochemical study.

The distribution of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) was studied in the human testicular biopsy tissue with the help of a modified histochemical gel method. The spermatogonia showed a large round strongly positive reaction zone in the supranuclear region. The pachytene spermatocytes exhibited a large semicircular TPPase reaction zone around the nucleus directing towards the lumen. The early round spermatids were characterized by a small, round, and weak supranuclear reaction zone. The elongated late spermatids were devoid of TPPase activity. The Sertoli cells possessed a "streamer" like formation of strong TPPase activity spreading from basal to apical portion.