Expression patterns of activin, inhibin and follistatin variants in the adult male mouse reproductive tract suggest important roles in the epididymis and vas deferens

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy R. Winnall ◽  
Hui Wu ◽  
Mai A. Sarraj ◽  
Peter A. W. Rogers ◽  
David M. de Kretser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Mouse ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Specific Regulation

Activin A and its inhibitors follistatin and inhibin play key roles in development and function of the male reproductive tract. Quantitative (q) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of Inhba (the gene encoding activin A subunits), Inha and Inhbb (genes encoding the inhibin B subunits), as well as the genes for follistatin (Fst) and follistatin-like 3 (Fstl3) and the activin receptor subunits, in the male mouse reproductive tract. A qPCR assay that discriminated between the two follistatin variants of Fst288 (tissue-bound form) and Fst315 (circulating) was established. Activin A protein was measured by ELISA, whereas the inhibin α-subunit and total follistatin proteins were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). A screen of 22 tissues demonstrated tissue-specific regulation of the follistatin variants, with Fst288 highly expressed in the vas deferens and Fst315 most highly expressed in the skin. The expression of Fst288 and Fst315 and follistatin protein levels increased progressively from the testis through to the distal vas deferens. Inhba and the activin receptors were highly expressed in the epididymis, but activin A protein was elevated in both the epididymis and vas deferens. Inhibin α-subunit mRNA and protein and Inhbb expression were highest in the testis. These results indicate a role for activin A within the epididymis, but also that activin A bioactivity may be increasingly inhibited by follistatin distally along the male reproductive tract.

Expression Patterns of Mouse Follistatin Variants Fst288 and Fst315, Fstl3, Activin A and Its Receptors and the Inhibin Subunits, Throughout the Male Mouse Reproductive Tract.

2011 ◽  
Vol 85 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 133-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Hedger ◽  
Wendy R. Winnall ◽  
Hui Wu ◽  
Peter A.W. Rogers ◽  
David M. de Kretser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Mouse ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Inhibin Subunits

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of activins A and B in the adult mouse epididymis and vas deferens

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rukmali Wijayarathna ◽  
David M de Kretser ◽  
Rajini Sreenivasan ◽  
Helen Ludlow ◽  
Ralf Middendorff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Mouse ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Epididymal Maturation ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Mouse Epididymis

Activin A regulates testicular and epididymal development, but the role of activin B in the epididymis and vas deferens is unknown. Mouse models with reduced activin A (Inhba+/− and InhbaBK/+), or its complete absence (InhbaBK/BK), were investigated to identify specific roles of activins in the male reproductive tract. In 8-week-old Inhba+/− mice, serum activin A decreased by 70%, with a 50% reduction of gene expression and protein in the testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Activin B and the activin-binding protein, follistatin, were similar to wild-type. Testis weights were slightly reduced in Inhba+/− mice, but the epididymis and vas deferens were normal, while the mice were fertile. Activin A was decreased by 70% in the serum, testis, epididymis and vas deferens of InhbaBK/+ mice and was undetectable in InhbaBK/BK mice, but activin B and follistatin levels were similar to wild-type. In 6-week-old InhbaBK/BK mice, testis weights were 60% lower and epididymal weights were 50% lower than in either InhbaBK/+ or wild-type mice. The cauda epididymal epithelium showed infoldings and less intra-luminal sperm, similar to 3.5-week-old wild-type mice, but at 8 weeks, no structural differences in the testis or epididymis were noted between InhbaBK/BK and wild-type mice. Thus, Inhbb can compensate for Inhba in regulating epididymal morphology, although testis and epididymal maturation is delayed in mice lacking Inhba. Crucially, reduction or absence of activin A, at least in the presence of normal activin B levels, does not lead to major defects in the adult epididymis or vas deferens.

Carboxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract: a universal safeguarding mechanism?

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Mikhailov ◽  
M. Torrado
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hypothetical Explanation

Data on expression patterns of carboxylesterases in the male reproductive tract of different animal groups (i.e. bivalve mollusks, fruitflies and rodents) are summarized to highlight some particularly interesting questions in the context of sperm differentiation, maturation and function. The male reproduc-tive system, in spite of extreme variation in the anatomical/morphological organization in different species, is characterized by similar patterns of male-dependent carboxylesterase overexpression. The phenomenon of conserved carboxylesterase overexpression indicates similar male sex-associated functions of the enzymes. There is possible evidence of carboxylesterase recruitment by male reproductive-tract tissues indi-cating that it could be adaptive for spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and sperm use. Moreover, this idea can be extended to include a sperm cell lineage protection. This issue is discussed in the light of recent data on environmental reproductive xenobiotics that can provide a basis for a hypothetical explanation of car-boxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract. Based on a well-known role of car-boxylesterases in detoxification of environmental chemicals such as organophosphate pesticides, it is proposed that various male genital tract carboxylesterases may be characterized by a similar physiological function to protect the male reproductive system against xenobiotic influences that could provoke its dys-function, thus altering sperm differentiation and maturation.

Studies on the structure and histochemistry of the male reproductive tract of Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda: Oxyuridea)

Parasitology ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Anya
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
The Gift ◽  
National University ◽  
Aspiculuris Tetraptera

The histological anatomy of the male reproductive tract as well as the cytochemistry of the cells of different regions of the male tract in Aspiculuris tetraptera are described.It is shown that there are at least three different regions of the vas deferens, each of which releases one or more substances into the lumen of the male system and thus contributes to the composition of the semen. The histochemical nature of these secretions is given and it is suggested that the secretions of the distal vas deferens are oxytocic.My thanks are due to Professor J. D. Smyth of the Australian National University, Canberra, for the gift of RNA-ase (L. Light and Co.) and some other histochemical reagents, to Dr T. R. R. Mann, C.B.E., F.R.S., and Dr D. L. Lee, for helpful discussions during the course of this study and for reading the draft manuscript.

scholarly journals Follistatin and activin A production by the male reproductive tract

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3319-3325 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Anderson ◽  
L. W. Evans ◽  
D. S. Irvine ◽  
M. A. McIntyre ◽  
N. P. Groome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract

Activin over-expression in the testis of mice lacking the inhibin α-subunit gene is associated with androgen deficiency and regression of the male reproductive tract

2018 ◽  
Vol 470 ◽  
pp. 188-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rukmali Wijayarathna ◽  
David M. de Kretser ◽  
Andreas Meinhardt ◽  
Ralf Middendorff ◽  
Helen Ludlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Androgen Deficiency ◽  
Subunit Gene ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Over Expression

Ultrastructure of the male reproductive system in a rumen amphistome Cotylophoron cotylophorum

1994 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-258
Author(s):  
P.N. Sharma ◽  
G. Swarnakar ◽  
R.E.B. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Longitudinal Muscle ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Ultrastructural Organization ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Duct Epithelium ◽  
Internal Lining ◽  
Entire Male

AbstractThe ultrastructure of various regions of the male reproductive tract and the prostate gland of Cotylophoron cotylophorum (Trematoda: Digenea) is described. The internal lining of the entire male duct system is syncytial in nature, and regional variation is quite evident. The syncytial epithelium of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle is very thin, flat and lamellate and the lumen is packed with spermatozoa. In the pars musculosa (PM) the syncytium is also flat but lamellae are sparsely distributed and anastomosed at places to form loops. The syncytium of the PM is invested by several layers of circular and longitudinal muscle. The pars prostatica (PP) is lined by an uneven but moderately thick syncytial epithelium with nuclei projecting into the lumen. The syncytium bears numerous very long lamellae. The ejaculatory duct epithelium is devoid of lamellae. It is even and moderately thick throughout. The prostate gland cells are uneven in outline and bear long ducts which open into the lumen of the PP. They show an ultrastructural organization suggestive of protein secretion.

scholarly journals The Male Reproductive Structure and Spermatogenesis of Trypophloeus Klimeschi Eggers (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Gao ◽  
Guanqun Gao ◽  
Lulu Dai ◽  
Jiaxing Wang ◽  
Hui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Reproductive Organ ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Short Branch ◽  
Male Reproductive Organ ◽  
Dense Band

Abstract Background Trypophloeus Klimeschi Eggers (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is one of the most destructive pests of Populus alba var. pyramidalis (Bunge), resulting in significant losses in economic, ecological and social benefits in China’s northwest shelter forest. But research of reproductive system, spermiogenesis and spermatozoon ultrastructure of T. klimeschi that is basis of phylogeny, reproductive biology and controlling is still black. Results The male reproductive organ of T. klimeschi is composed of testis, seminal vesicle, strand shaped accessory gland containing long branch of strand shaped accessory gland and short branch of strand shaped accessory gland, curly accessory gland, vas deferens and a common ejaculatory duct. The number of sperm per cyst is 350~512. Its spermatozoon is slender, measuring about 75 μm in length and 0.5 μm in wide and composed of a 3-layred acrosomal complex, a nucleus with two different states of aggregation, two mitochondrial derivatives with dark crystal, a 9+9+2 axoneme that run more or less parallel to mitochondrial derivatives, two crystalline accessory bodies with a big compact “puff”-like expansion. Especially in the seminal vesicle, its long flagella folded into several turns and the whole sperm is wrapped in a film.Conclusion The general morphology of male reproductive tract, the spermatogenesis and the spermatozoa of T. klimeschi are, for the most part, similar to the majority of the Curculionidae. However, some distinct differences were found: the low electron-dense band in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes; two different aggregation states of spermatozoon nucleus; especially the stored way of T. klimeschi spermatozoa.

scholarly journals 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes in the testis and male reproductive tract of the boar (Sus scrofa domestica) indicate local roles for glucocorticoids in male reproductive physiology

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Sharp ◽  
Lisa M Thurston ◽  
Robert C Fowkes ◽  
Anthony E Michael
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Enzyme Expression ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cortisol Metabolism ◽  
Sus Scrofa Domestica ◽  
Caput Epididymidis

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) enzymes modulate the target cell actions of corticosteroids by catalysing metabolism of the physiological glucocorticoid (GC), cortisol, to inert cortisone. Recent studies have implicated GCs in boar sperm apoptosis. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise 11βHSD enzyme expression and activities in the boar testis and reproductive tract. Although 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2 mRNA transcripts and proteins were co-expressed in all tissues, cortisol–cortisone interconversion was undetectable in the corpus and cauda epididymides, vas deferens, vesicular and prostate glands, irrespective of nucleotide cofactors. In contrast, homogenates of boar testis, caput epididymidis and bulbourethral gland all displayed pronounced 11βHSD activities in the presence of NADPH/NADP+ and NAD+, and the penile urethra exhibited NAD+-dependent 11β-dehydrogenase activity. In kinetic studies, homogenates of boar testis, caput epididymidis and bulbourethral gland oxidised cortisol with Km values of 237–443 and 154–226 nmol/l in the presence of NADP+ and NAD+ respectively. Maximal rates of NADP+-dependent cortisol oxidation were 7.4- to 28.5-fold greater than the Vmax for NADPH- dependent reduction of cortisone, but were comparable with the rates of NAD+-dependent cortisol metabolism. The relatively low Km estimates for NADP+ -dependent cortisol oxidation suggest that either the affinity of 11βHSD1 has been increased or the cortisol inactivation is catalysed by a novel NADP+-dependent 11βHSD enzyme in these tissues. We conclude that in the boar testis, caput epididymidis and bulbourethral gland, NADP+- and NAD+-dependent 11βHSD enzymes catalyse net inactivation of cortisol, consistent with a physiological role in limiting any local actions of GCs within these reproductive tissues.

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