Histomorphological Comparisons and Expression Patterns of BOLL Gene in Sheep Testes at Different Development Stages

BOLL is implicated in mammalian testicular function maintenance and spermatogenesis. To understand the expression patterns and biological functions of sheep BOLL, we examined the expression and immunolocalization of BOLL in the developing testes of Small-Tail Han sheep aged 0 days (D0), 2 months (2M), 5 months (5M), 1 year (1Y), and 2 years (2Y), by qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry methods. Firstly, morphological studies revealed that, in addition to spermatogonia, ordered and clear spermatocytes, as well as round and elongated spermatids and sperm, were found in the 1Y and 2Y testicular seminiferous tubules of the sheep testes, compared with the D0, 2M, and 5M testes, as analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The diameter and area of the seminiferous tubules, epithelial thickness, and the area and perimeter of the tubule lumens gradually increased with age. BOLL was specifically expressed in testes and upregulation of BOLL transcript expression was higher in the testes of the 1Y and 2Y groups than in those of the D0, 2M, and 5M groups. Similarly, BOLL protein was expressed mainly in the 1Y and 2Y testes, ranging from primary spermatocytes to round spermatids, as well as in the spermatozoa. This study is the first demonstration that sheep BOLL might serve as a key regulator of the spermiogenesis involved in sperm maturity, in addition to its role as a crucial meiotic regulator.

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Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analyses of CONSTANS-Like Family Genes in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation ◽

10.1007/s00344-021-10420-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhen Tian ◽

Xiaodong Qin ◽

Hui Wang ◽

Ji Li ◽

Jinfeng Chen

Keyword(s):

Floral Induction ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Evolutionary Relationship ◽

Biological Functions ◽

Promoter Regions ◽

Cucumis Sativus L ◽

Cis Acting ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Induction Process

AbstractThe CONSTANS-like (COL) gene family is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families that play important roles in plant growth and development. However, the knowledge of COLs related in cucumber is limited, and their biological functions, especially in the photoperiod-dependent flowering process, are still unclear. In this study, twelve CsaCOL genes were identified in the cucumber genome. Phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses provided insights into the evolutionary relationship between the CsaCOLs. Further, the comparative genome analysis revealed that COL genes are conserved in different plant species, especially collinearity gene pairs related to CsaCOL5. Ten kinds of cis-acting elements were vividly detected in CsaCOLs promoter regions, including five light-responsive elements, which echo the diurnal rhythm expression patterns of seven CsaCOL genes under SD and LD photoperiod regimes. Combined with the expression data of developmental stage, three CsaCOL genes are involved in the flowering network and play pivotal roles for the floral induction process. Our results provide useful information for further elucidating the structural characteristics, expression patterns, and biological functions of COL family genes in many plants

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Free Radicals in Adolescent Varicocele Testis

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2014/912878 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Carmelo Romeo ◽

Giuseppe Santoro

Keyword(s):

Free Radicals ◽

Nitrosative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Defenses ◽

Seminiferous Tubules ◽

Oxidative And Nitrosative Stress ◽

Medline Search ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Hormonal Dysfunction ◽

And Function ◽

The Relationship

We examine the relationship between the structure and function of the testis and the oxidative and nitrosative stress, determined by an excessive production of free radicals and/or decreased availability of antioxidant defenses, which occur in the testis of adolescents affected by varicocele. Moreover, the effects of surgical treatment on oxidative stress were provided. We conducted a PubMed and Medline search between 1980 and 2014 using “adolescent,” “varicocele,” “free radicals,” “oxidative and nitrosative stress,” “testis,” and “seminiferous tubules” as keywords. Cross-references were checked in each of the studies, and relevant articles were retrieved. We conclude that increased concentration of free radicals, generated by conditions of hypoxia, hyperthermia, and hormonal dysfunction observed in adolescent affected by varicocele, can harm germ cells directly or indirectly by influencing nonspermatogenic cells and basal lamina. With regard to few available data in current literature, further clinical trials on the pre- and postoperative ROS and RNS levels together with morphological studies of the cellular component of the testis are fundamental for complete comprehension of the role played by free radicals in the pathogenesis of adolescent varicocele and could justify its pharmacological treatment with antioxidants.

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The Divergent Roles of the Rice bcl-2 Associated Athanogene (BAG) Genes in Plant Development and Environmental Responses

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10102169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2169

Author(s):

Hailian Zhou ◽

Jiaying Li ◽

Xueyuan Liu ◽

Xiaoshuang Wei ◽

Ziwei He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Development ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Brown Planthopper ◽

Protein Structures ◽

Secondary Growth ◽

Primary Cell Wall ◽

Biological Functions ◽

Group I

Bcl-2-associated athanogene (BAG), a group of proteins evolutionarily conserved and functioned as co-chaperones in plants and animals, is involved in various cell activities and diverse physiological processes. However, the biological functions of this gene family in rice are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a total of six BAG members in rice. These genes were classified into two groups, OsBAG1, -2, -3, and -4 are in group I with a conserved ubiquitin-like structure and OsBAG5 and -6 are in group Ⅱ with a calmodulin-binding domain, in addition to a common BAG domain. The BAG genes exhibited diverse expression patterns, with OsBAG4 showing the highest expression level, followed by OsBAG1 and OsBAG3, and OsBAG6 preferentially expressed in the panicle, endosperm, and calli. The co-expression analysis and the hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that the OsBAG1 and OsBAG3 were co-expressed with primary cell wall-biosynthesizing genes, OsBAG4 was co-expressed with phytohormone and transcriptional factors, and OsBAG6 was co-expressed with disease and shock-associated genes. β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining further indicated that OsBAG3 is mainly involved in primary young tissues under both primary and secondary growth. In addition, the expression of the BAG genes under brown planthopper (BPH) feeding, N, P, and K deficiency, heat, drought and plant hormones treatments was investigated. Our results clearly showed that OsBAGs are multifunctional molecules as inferred by their protein structures, subcellular localizations, and expression profiles. BAGs in group I are mainly involved in plant development, whereas BAGs in group II are reactive in gene regulations and stress responses. Our results provide a solid basis for the further elucidation of the biological functions of plant BAG genes.

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Correlation Between Ultrasonic Testicular Volume and Seminal Fluid Analysis in Men with Infertility

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.1.541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 103-107

Author(s):

Sadiq Abu ◽

Hadijat O. Kolade-Yunusa ◽

Terkaa Atim ◽

F. Ehimatie Obakeye ◽

Nuhu K. Dakum

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Testicular Volume ◽

Seminiferous Tubules ◽

Testicular Function ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background: Infertility is a major cause of marital disharmony in Nigeria because of the high premium placed on childbearing. Unfortunately, the blame is on the woman most times in Nigeria. Seminiferous tubules comprise 80-90% of testicular mass. Thus, the testicular volume is an index of spermatogenesis. Therefore, accurate testicular volume will help in assessing testicular function if there is no obstruction. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between testicular volume, measured by ultrasound and conventional sperm parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology) in men with infertility presenting to Urology Division, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Abuja. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study, male subjects with infertility presenting to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital were recruited into the study. The testicular volume of all the subjects was measured by ultrasonography. The semen samples were collected by the process of masturbation on day five of sexual abstinence and analyzed according to WHO criteria 2010. Collated data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. P-value<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The average total testicular volume (TTV) of men with infertility was 19.83 ml while mean testicular volume (MTV) was 10.24 ml. There was a statistically significant difference between MTV and semen volume (r=0.391, p=0.000), and sperm concentration (r=0.639, p=0.000). There was a weak and insignificant correlation between MTV and sperm motility and MTV and morphology (r=0.216, p=0.055 and r=0.076, p=0.502) respectively. Linear regression analysis showed significant impact of MTV (P<0.001) on sperm concentration with a critical MTV of ≤10ml.0 indicating poor testicular function (severe oligospermia) Conclusion: The mean ultrasonic testicular volume in men with infertility in this study was 10.24ml and there was a significant positive correlation of MTV with semen volume and sperm concentration. Although, there was correlation of MTV with sperm motility and morphology, this was not significant. The critical mean ultrasonic testicular volume indicating poor testicular function (severe oligospermia) was found to be 10ml. This study has shown that the mean ultrasonic testicular volume can be a pointer to semen volume and sperm concentration in evaluating men with infertility.

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Identification of transcriptional networks responding to pyrroloquinoline quinone dietary supplementation and their influence on thioredoxin expression, and the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20091649 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 429 (3) ◽

pp. 515-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Eskouhie Tchaparian ◽

Lisa Marshal ◽

Gene Cutler ◽

Kathryn Bauerly ◽

Winyoo Chowanadisai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Expression Patterns ◽

Cell Signalling ◽

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone ◽

Janus Kinase ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Transcriptional Networks ◽

Gene Transcript ◽

Transcript Expression ◽

Mechanistic Basis

PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) improves energy utilization and reproductive performance when added to rodent diets devoid of PQQ. In the present paper we describe changes in gene expression patterns and transcriptional networks that respond to dietary PQQ restriction or pharmacological administration. Rats were fed diets either deficient in PQQ (PQQ−) or supplemented with PQQ (approx. 6 nmol of PQQ/g of food; PQQ+). In addition, groups of rats were either repleted by administering PQQ to PQQ− rats (1.5 mg of PQQ intraperitoneal/kg of body weight at 12 h intervals for 36 h; PQQ−/+) or partially depleted by feeding the PQQ− diet to PQQ+ rats for 48 h (PQQ+/−). RNA extracted from liver and a Codelink® UniSet Rat I Bioarray system were used to assess gene transcript expression. Of the approx. 10000 rat sequences and control probes analysed, 238 were altered at the P<0.01 level by feeding on the PQQ− diet for 10 weeks. Short-term PQQ depletion resulted in changes in 438 transcripts (P<0.01). PQQ repletion reversed the changes in transcript expression caused by PQQ deficiency and resulted in an alteration of 847 of the total transcripts examined (P<0.01). Genes important for cellular stress (e.g. thioredoxin), mitochondriogenesis, cell signalling [JAK (Janus kinase)/STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways] and transport were most affected. qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) and functional assays aided in validating such processes as principal targets. Collectively, the results provide a mechanistic basis for previous functional observations associated with PQQ deficiency or PQQ administered in pharmacological amounts.

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Generation of ETV5 Knockout Pigs with CRISPR/Cas9

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-1327 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mao Zhang ◽

Gengyuan Cai ◽

Rong Zhou ◽

Huaqiang Yang

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Gene Editing ◽

Seminiferous Tubules ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Progressive Loss ◽

Elisa Testing ◽

Fetal Fibroblasts ◽

Normal Spermatogenesis ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin

Background: Ets variant factor 5 (ETV5) plays an important regulatory role in mouse Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renewal. ETV5 knockout (KO) mice exhibit a progressive loss of SSCs and resulting in a Sertoli cell-only phenotype. The current study was aimed to use gene editing technology to obtain ETV5-KO pigs as a model for studying the apoptosis mechanism of SSCs and further clarify the function of ETV5 gene in pigs.Methods: A gene editing plasmid for the porcine ETV5 gene was constructed, transfected into porcine fetal fibroblasts by electroporation to obtain ETV5-KO cells. ETV5-KO cells were used as donors to prepare ETV5-KO pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Testis tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC), RT-PCR testing and blood for ELISA testing from ETV5-KO pig.Result: In the present study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system and SCNT to generate homozygous ETV5-KO pigs. We observed 3 phenotypes in these pigs: normal testis development after birth, the SSCs in the seminiferous tubules did not show obviously extinction at sexual maturity and normal spermatogenesis.

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Endocrine and local testicular regulation

Oxford Textbook of Endocrinology and Diabetes ◽

10.1093/med/9780199235292.003.9018 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 1347-1353

Author(s):

Ilpo Huhtaniemi

Keyword(s):

Growth Factors ◽

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Leydig Cell ◽

Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽

Regulatory System ◽

The Other ◽

Seminiferous Tubules ◽

Testicular Function ◽

Cell Product ◽

Stimulating Hormone

The testis has two functions, androgen production and spermatogenesis, and a key role in their regulation is played by the two pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Other hormones and growth factors also influence testicular function, often by modulating the gonadotropin effects. Moreover, a plethora of local paracrine and autocrine signals within the testis are known. The main testicular hormone, testosterone, a Leydig cell product, regulates spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in paracrine fashion. The other functions of testosterone are endocrine, occurring outside the testis. This chapter summarizes the main hormonal regulatory system of the testis, the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis, and how its effects are modulated by other extratesticular hormones and local testicular factors.

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Distinct Laminar and Cellular Patterns of GABA Neuron Transcript Expression in Monkey Prefrontal and Visual Cortices

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhaa341 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samuel J Dienel ◽

Andrew J Ciesielski ◽

Holly H Bazmi ◽

Elizabeth A Profozich ◽

Kenneth N Fish ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mrna Expression ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Cortical Region ◽

Transcript Expression ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽

Layer 4 ◽

Gaba Neuron ◽

Cell Type Specific

Abstract The functional output of a cortical region is shaped by its complement of GABA neuron subtypes. GABA-related transcript expression differs substantially between the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and primary visual (V1) cortices in gray matter homogenates, but the laminar and cellular bases for these differences are unknown. Quantification of levels of GABA-related transcripts in layers 2 and 4 of monkey DLPFC and V1 revealed three distinct expression patterns: 1) transcripts with higher levels in DLPFC and layer 2 [e.g., somatostatin (SST)]; 2) transcripts with higher levels in V1 and layer 4 [e.g., parvalbumin (PV)], and 3) transcripts with similar levels across layers and regions [e.g., glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67)]. At the cellular level, these patterns reflected transcript- and cell type-specific differences: the SST pattern primarily reflected differences in the relative proportions of SST mRNA-positive neurons, the PV pattern primarily reflected differences in PV mRNA expression per neuron, and the GAD67 pattern reflected opposed patterns in the relative proportions of GAD67 mRNA-positive neurons and in GAD67 mRNA expression per neuron. These findings suggest that differences in the complement of GABA neuron subtypes and in gene expression levels per neuron contribute to the specialization of inhibitory neurotransmission across cortical circuits.

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Morphometric Evaluation of Spermatogenic Cells and Seminiferous Tubules and Exploration of Luteinizing Hormone Beta Polypeptide in Testis of Datong Yak

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10010066 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qudratullah Kalwar ◽

Min Chu ◽

Anum Ali Ahmad ◽

Xuezhi Ding ◽

Xiaoyun Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Pcr ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Seminiferous Tubules ◽

Spermatogenic Cells ◽

Sex Development ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin Staining ◽

Morphometric Evaluation ◽

Semi Quantitative Pcr

Histological examination of testes is essential for understanding infertility, sex development, and growth. Therefore, to understand the histomorphology of testes at different developmental stages, we performed hematoxylin and eosin staining of Yak testis. Our results revealed that the diameters of spermatogenic cells and their nuclei were significantly larger (p < 0.05) in the testis at six years compared to at six and 18 months. No significant difference was noted between 30 months and six years. The study was designed to compare the expression profile of LHB in Datong yak. The expression pattern of LHB was explored using quantitative PCR, semi-quantitative PCR, molecular bioinformatic, and Western blot analysis. Our observations indicated that expression of LHB was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the testis of Datong yak. Western blotting indicated that the molecular mass of LHB protein was 16 kDa in yak. The protein encoded by yak LHB included conserved cysteine-knot domain regions. The high expression of LHB in testis indicated that LHB may be vital for the development of male gonads and the fertility of Datong yak.

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