Age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls

The aim of the present study was to evaluate age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls during their sexual development. A total of 36 bulls were selected and divided into four groups (n=9 in each) according to their age. Bulls included in Groups I, II, III and IV were 10, 12, 14 and 16 months old respectively. Left testes of bulls were subjected to histomorphometry after slaughter. Statistical analysis revealed that the secondary spermatocytes, round and elongated spermatids increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. Likewise, both sertoli and leydig cell numbers increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. However, the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes did not change (P>0.05) due to age. The mean tubular diameter increased from 200.70±5.45 μm (10 months of age) to 227.30±9.16 μm (16 months of age) and the total volume of seminiferous tubule per testis from 69.63±1.50 % (10 months of age) to 84.64±2.53 % (16 months of age). A positive linear relationship (P<0.05) was found between meiotic index (Y) and the age (X, in month), which was characterized by the equation 0.048X+3.135 and a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.396. The correlation between age and sertoli cell efficiency was 0.482 with a regression equation Y= 0.141X+7.696. It is concluded that histomorphometric parameters of the bulls’ testes and spermatogenic activity are correlated with the age, so these parameters provide a reliable tool for the assessment of the reproductive state and sperm production capacity of a bull in a breeding program.

Evaluation of COX-2 Inhibitor Injurious Effects on Proximal Convoluted Tubular Diameter of Kidney with Favorable Impact of Lycopene in Albino Rats on the Basis of Microscopic Features

Objective: To analyze the harmful effect of COX-2 inhibitor on proximal convoluted tubular diameter of kidney, amendment by lycopene. Research Design: Experimental Research. Abode of Research: Animal House, JPMC, Karachi. Materials and Methods: 90-120 days old, forty healthy adult male Albino rats of 200-220gm weight were taken for this study and distributed into 4 cliques, set 1was chosen as control, in Set 2 Celecoxib was given 0.05g/1000g by gavage, in set 3 Celecoxib was given0.05g/1000g by gavage with lycopene 0.05g/1000g by gavage and set4 lycopene was given0.05g/1000g by gavage for 30 days. At accomplishment of study, animals were sacrifice and tissues were preserved for staining. Results: Inset 2 proximal convoluted tubular diameter became distended due to apoptosis of lining epithelial cells. They turn into low cuboidal from simple cuboidal cells along with ill-defined brush border at the luminal surface due to scarce microvilli and had disrupted basement membrane, however renal structure were amended in set3 which were given celecoxib with lycopene. Conclusion: This study reveals that lycopene amended the apoptotic changes of set2.

Fetal programming by sodium saccharin and damage on male offspring reproductive

Male infertility is responsible for 20-70% of infertility in couples. We investigated the effects of fetal programming with sodium saccharin consumption in testis structure and function and in male offspring fertility. Feed intake and efficiency, organ and fat weight, quantification and expression of AR and PCNA proteins, sperm count and hormonal dosages were performed. Changes in consumption were found in the final weeks of the experiment. Decreases in the expression and quantification of AR and PCNA, tubular diameter and luminal volume, and increase in epithelial and interstitial relative volumes were observed. Lower sperm count and transit and lower estradiol concentration were also found. The consumption of sodium saccharin by the dams programmed the male offspring affecting the HPG axis with alterations in Sertoli cell proliferation, AR expression and quantification, and sperm count. We hypothesize that these changes may be due to the reduction of estradiol that caused the loosening of the tight junctions of the blood-testis-barrier (BTB), causing cell losses during spermatogenesis, also reflecting, under the decrease in tubular diameter with an increase in epithelial volume and consequent decrease in luminal volume. Sodium saccharin programming directly affected the reproductive parameters of male offspring and adult fertility.

Aortic tortuosity is related to aortic phenotype in patients with bicuspid aortic valve: a CT scan study of 83 cases

Background Although the incidence of aortic dissection is higher in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) compared to tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), risk stratification remains unclear. Guidelines focus on ascending aorta diameters, regardless of the location, and do not take into account the morphology of the aorta. Aortic tortuosity (AT) is emerging as a novel biomarker associated with more severe aortopathy in patients with Marfan syndrome. AT has not been accuretely assessed in BAV. Our aim is to describe the relationship between AT and ascending aortic phenotype in patients with BAV. Methods 83 patients (43±16 years, 19 women) diagnosed with BAV and without significant aortic valve disease nor prior aortic intervention were included. CT scans were retrospectively analysed with measurements of aortic diameters and aortic tortuosity. For 61 patients with abdominal images available, descending and total aortic length and tortuosity were measured. Results In our cohort, 62 (75%) patients presented a typical BAV. Pathological aorta (Root and/or tubular Z-score &gt;2) was found in 80 patients (96%) and 67 (81%) presented a tubular dilatation. The aortic phenotype, the maximal aortic diameters and aortic tortuosity index were similar in typical and atypical BAV. Total aortic tortuosity index was correlated to Z-score tubular diameter (r=0.31; p=0,014) but not with Z-score Valsalva diameter (p=0,55). In patients with tubular dilatation (Z score &gt;2), total aortic tortuosity index was higher than in patient without tubular dilatation (2.01 vs 1.85; p=0,015). Conclusion Total aortic tortuosity is associated with tubular dilatation but not with root dilatation in BAV patients suggesting that tubular phenotype may be at higher risk of complication in BAV. Further studies evaluating the association between aortic tortuosity and clinical outcomes in BAV are needed. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

The Effect of Inhibin Immunization in Seminiferous Epithelium of Yangzhou Goose Ganders: A Histological Study

The current study investigated the effect of inhibin immunization on germ cell numbers (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round, and elongated spermatids), seminiferous tubules (ST) diameter, Johnsen’s score, epithelial height (μm), luminal tubular diameter (μm), and number of ST per field (ST/field) of Yangzhou goose ganders. Histological evaluation showed apoptosis and regression of testes after inhibin (INH) immunization, with a concomitantly marked reduction in the round and elongated spermatids in the experiment (INH) group compared to the control group. The diameter of seminiferous tubules (ST) and epithelial height (EH) were positively correlated at 181, 200, and 227 days of age. In comparison, luminal tubular diameter (LD) was negatively correlated on day 227 to ST diameter and epithelial height. On day 227, many seminiferous tubules per field (ST/field) were negatively correlated to ST diameter, EH, and LD. INH immunization elevated ST diameter, EH, and LD, while Johnsen’s score and number of ST/field had reciprocal expression. In conclusion, the concomitant effect of INH immunization and seasonality in breeding regressed germ cells and damaged spermatogenesis in seminiferous epithelium Yangzhou ganders.

Age-Related Alterations in Testicular Histoarchitecture of Yangzhou Goose Ganders

The age of maturity and seasonality are vital characteristics in the production of seasonal breeders like Yangzhou ganders. Ancestors of the current geese breeds were wild geese that adapted their breeding season, according to the season having plenty of food and suitable weather conditions to reproduce and raise their chicks to combat harsh environmental conditions. The present study aimed to elucidate histological changes in testicular histoarchitecture of Yangzhou goose ganders. Testis samples were collected from Yangzhou ganders during premature, transition and mature states. Testicular regression was accessed by observing changes in the number of spermatocytes, spermatogonia, elongated spermatids, round spermatids, width of seminiferous tubules, epithelial height, luminal tubular diameter and Johnsen’s score. The results depicted a positive correlation between age and number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, and epithelial height. Thus, testicular histoarchitecture works usually on the balance between Sertoli and other germ cells. Further, our results conclude that breeding seasonality and age of sexual maturity also affect spermatogenesis efficiency in Yangzhou ganders.

Correlation Between Oxidative Stress Generation, Reticular Fiber Density and Testicular Histomorphometric Parameters Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rat

The actual underlying mechanism of alterations in testicular histomorphometric parameters resulting from diabetes-induced oxidative stress is still not well understood because of the absence of supporting evidence from scientific experiments. This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between serum oxidative stress markers with testicular histomorphometric parameters and reticular fiber density of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rat. The experiment included twenty eight adult male rats sorted into four groups, Group A (Control), other animals were sorted into treatment groups based on their blood glucose levels after inducing diabetes with 65 mg/kg/bw of streptozotocin, Groups B (100 - 200 mmol/l), Group C (210 - 250 mmol/l), Group D (260 - 300 mmol/l). At termination, Serum superoxide dimutase (SOD), catalase and melondialdehyde where evaluated using reagent based antioxidant enzyme assay while reticulum stain kits was used to demonstrate for reticular fiber density. Histomorphometric measurements were carried out using ocular micrometer after calibration on a light microscope. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance with p<0.05 considered significant. Results reveal that the higher the blood glucose levels in diabetic animals, the higher the serum concentration of oxidative stress markers. Density of reticular fiber increased with increase in blood glucose levels, while tubular diameter and epithelial height decreased with increase in increase in hyperglycaemic levels. In conclusion, there was a progressive increase in reticular fiber density and decrease in tubular diameter and epithelial height as a consequence of increase oxidative stress generation in diabetic model. J. Bio-Sci. 29(2): 01-08, 2021 (December)

Connexin43 in Germ Cells Seems to Be Dispensable for Murine Spermatogenesis

Testicular Connexin43 (Cx43) connects adjacent Sertoli cells (SC) and SC to germ cells (GC) in the seminiferous epithelium and plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis. However, the distinction whether this results from impaired inter-SC communication or between GC and SC is not possible, so far. Thus, the question arises, whether a GC-specific Cx43 KO has similar effects on spermatogenesis as it is general or SC-specific KO. Using the Cre/loxP recombinase system, two conditional KO mouse lines lacking Cx43 in premeiotic (pGCCx43KO) or meiotic GC (mGCCx43KO) were generated. It was demonstrated by qRT-PCR that Cx43 mRNA was significantly decreased in adult pGCCx43KO mice, while it was also reduced in mGCCx43KO mice, yet not statistically significant. Body and testis weights, testicular histology, tubular diameter, numbers of intratubular cells and Cx43 protein synthesis and localization did not show any significant differences in semi-quantitative Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry comparing adult male KO and WT mice of both mouse lines. Male KO mice were fertile. These results indicate that Cx43 in spermatogonia/spermatids does not seem to be essential for successful termination of spermatogenesis and fertility as it is known for Cx43 in somatic SC, but SC-GC communication might rather occur via heterotypic GJ channels.

Testicular fixation and its effect on ipsilateral and contralateral testis in prepubertal rat model

Background While performing orchidopexy, various suture materials or fibrin glues are used to achieve testicular fixation. This study was designed to assess the histological changes in testis after orchidopexy using fibrin glue and suture material. Methods Male Wistar rats (n = 80) were divided randomly into four groups. Group I, (n = 20): sham operation, Group II (n = 20): Dartos Pouch (DP), Group III (n = 20): Transtunical fixation (TF), Group IV (n = 20): Tissue Adhesive (TA). Ipsilateral and contralateral testicular histology was assessed at 70 and 120 days of life after sacrificing animals by using thiopental sodium intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Results Morphologically, at day 70, contralateral testis in Group III had a significant (p value 0.046) decrease testicular width (0.92 ± 0.01 vs 1.24 ± 0.39 cm). At 120 of life, Group I, II, III, and IV had a significant (p value < 0.001 each) decrease testicular width and weight in ipsilateral and decrease testicular length (p value 0.002) in contralateral testis. Histologically, mean seminiferous tubular diameter and DNA flow cytometry had a significant (p value < 0.001) decrease in size in Group I, II, III, and IV both ipsilateral as well as contralateral testis. Intergroup comparison at 70 and 120 days of life showed a significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter in Group II, III and IV and in Johnsen maturation score, seminiferous tubular diameter, DNA flow cytometry in Group I, II, III, and IV. Conclusions Dartos Pouch is most suitable procedure for treatment of orchidopexy. Suture fixation must be avoided and if the need arises then instead of suture materials, fibrin glue should be used for testicular fixation.

Spermatogenesis, gonadal sperm reserves and fertility of rabbits fed micro doses of fumonisin

The effects of micro doses of dietary fumonisin, a metabolite of Fusarium verticillioides, on spermatogenesis, gonadal sperm reserves and fertility of rabbits were studied. Relative paired testis weight; sperm production rate and sperm storage potential were not adversely affected in rabbits which were exposed to varied minute levels of dietary fumonisin of about 153-161 µg/kg body weight/day over a period of 8 weeks. The toxin also failed to exert any influence (P>0.05) on seminiferous tubular diameter and volume percent of testicular elements. Male fertility as evidenced by conception rate, litter size and embryo survival and normalcy was also not affected (P>0.05). However, the frequency of occurrence of stages II and VIII of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium were significantly (P<0.05) influenced with increased dietary fumonisin levels. The results suggest that the ingestion of Fusarium-infected feed that would result in the liberation of about 153 µg of fumonisin/kg of body weight per day for a short time may not influence spermatogenesis, fertility in the male or the normalcy of the resulting foetuses.