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Andrology Jul 2024The activins (A and B) and their binding protein, follistatin, play crucial roles in development, immunoregulation and inflammation throughout the body. In the male... (Review)
Review
The activins (A and B) and their binding protein, follistatin, play crucial roles in development, immunoregulation and inflammation throughout the body. In the male reproductive tract of the mouse, activin A and B production is largely confined to the initial segment and proximal caput of the epididymis and the efferent ducts, under normal conditions, with very low expression in the corpus, cauda and vas deferens. However, activin A protein is present throughout the epididymis and vas deferens and is largely associated with the epithelium and interstitial macrophages. Conversely, the activin-binding protein follistatin is produced in the distal epididymis, with very high expression in the vas deferens. Activin activity in the distal tract is inhibited by follistatin, and the activin-follistatin balance is important for regulating coiling of the duct during epididymal development. In further experiments, as described in this report, in situ hybridisation was used to localise activin A mRNA principally to cells in the periductal zone and interstitium in the efferent ducts and proximal caput. Activin B mRNA, on the other hand, was localised to periductal cells in the efferent ducts and proximal epididymis and, most notably, to epithelial cells in the initial segment. Activin A is implicated in the regulation of mononuclear phagocyte function and immune responses in the caput and stimulates the expression of the key immunoregulatory protein, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in this region. Activin A production in the corpus and cauda increases dramatically during bacterial epididymitis in mice, promoting inflammation and fibrosis and causing damage to the epithelium and obstruction of the epididymal duct. Consequently, it appears that the activin-follistatin axis is crucial for maintaining normal epididymal structure and function, but disruption of this balance during inflammation has deleterious effects on male fertility. Follistatin has therapeutic potential in ameliorating the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of activins.
Topics: Male; Epididymis; Animals; Activins; Mice; Follistatin; Epididymitis; Humans
PubMed: 37644728
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13523 -
BMC Zoology Aug 2023Chrysopa pallens is one of the most beneficial and effective natural predators, and is famous for its extensive distribution, wide prey spectrum, and excellent...
BACKGROUND
Chrysopa pallens is one of the most beneficial and effective natural predators, and is famous for its extensive distribution, wide prey spectrum, and excellent reproductive performance. This study examined the anatomy and fine structure of the C. pallens reproductive system and spermatogenesis.
RESULTS
The male reproductive system of C. pallens comprises a pair of testes, a vas deferens, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, and short ejaculatory ducts. The testes were already mature on the day of emergence, but the accessory glands did not mature until 5 days post-emergence. In early spermatids, the flagellum had an axoneme on one side of the two mitochondrial derivatives. The nucleus was surrounded by parallel crystalline and paracrystalline materials. The spermatid envelope extends towards the paracrystalline material in a tail-shaped wing. In mature spermatids, the axoneme is located between the two accessory bodies and mitochondrial derivative sets. The parallel-crystalline and paracrystalline materials disappeared. In the testes, the wall of seminal cysts consists of a layer of epithelium, a muscular-connective sheath, and several vesicles of different sizes. The mature seminal cysts contained 128 spermatozoa. The accessory gland is composed of six parts: ventral papilla-like protuberance, anterior glandular lobe, lateral glandular lobe, seminal cyst, posterior kidney-shaped lobe, and posterior papilla-like protuberance. Muscle fibers and secretory granules are extensive.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides information on the reproductive system of C. pallens and offers a resource for taxonomy and reproductive biology.
PubMed: 37641154
DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00175-8 -
Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia Nov 2023Thirteen black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) male fetuses, acquired in two areas of the Amazon Forest, were used for the purpose of morphologically describing the fetal...
Thirteen black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) male fetuses, acquired in two areas of the Amazon Forest, were used for the purpose of morphologically describing the fetal male urogenital organs with a focus on addressing histological and macroscopic aspects. The organs of interest were dissected and photographed in situ and ex situ. Fragments were collected and subjected to routine histological processing for inclusion in paraffin, which was cut and stained by haematoxylin and eosin and Gomori's Trichrome methods and subsequently analysed in a light microscope. The results showed that the urinary tract is like that of domestic animals and is composed of smooth unilobed kidneys covered by a dense capsule of connective tissue and divided into two well-defined regions, cortical and medullary. Ureters, urethra and urinary bladder also showed macroscopic and microscopic characteristics similar to those of domestic animals. The penis of these animals has fibroelastic characteristics, with numerous keratinized structures at its apex. In the middle third of the penis, a "U" shaped penile flexure was seen; the glans penis is covered by a keratinized epidermis containing horny spicules. The presence of a penile bone in an endochondral ossification process was observed, being more developed in gestational ages greater than 76 days. The annex glands were not observed, probably because they were fetuses; only the ampulla of the ductus deferens was identified.
Topics: Male; Animals; Dasyproctidae; Sex Differentiation; Penis; Urethra; Vas Deferens; Cuniculidae
PubMed: 37605845
DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12955 -
Heliyon Aug 2023To make early predictions of PACU VAS before surgery, we created a novel nomogram for the early prediction of PACU VAS in patients having laparoscopic radical excision...
INTRODUCTION
To make early predictions of PACU VAS before surgery, we created a novel nomogram for the early prediction of PACU VAS in patients having laparoscopic radical excision of colorectal cancer with fentanyl.
METHODS
From July 2018 to December 2020, a total of 101 patients in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. For feature selection, a stepwise regression model was utilized. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to establish a prediction model. We incorporated age, gender, weight, height, fentanyl dosage during operation, operation time, and genotype, and this was presented with a nomogram. The nomogram's performance was evaluated in terms of discrimination and clinical utility.
RESULTS
The signature, which comprised of seven carefully chosen characteristics, was linked to the PACU VAS for the development dataset. Predictors contained in the individualized prediction nomogram included age, gender, weight, height, fentanyl dosage during operation, operation time, and genotype. With an area under the ROC curve of 0.877 (95% CI, 0.6874-1.0000), the model showed good discrimination. The nomogram still had good discrimination. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.
CONCLUSIONS
The nomogram presented in this study incorporates age, gender, weight, height, fentanyl dosage during operation, operation time, and genotype and can be conveniently used to facilitate the individualized prediction of PACU VAS in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer with fentanyl.
PubMed: 37554790
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18560 -
Genes Jul 2023(1) Introduction: Pathogenic variants in the (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator, OMIM: 602421) gene cause Cystic Fibrosis (CF, OMIM: 219700) and...
(1) Introduction: Pathogenic variants in the (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator, OMIM: 602421) gene cause Cystic Fibrosis (CF, OMIM: 219700) and CF-related disorders (CF-RD), often accompanied by obstructive azoospermia due to congenital bilateral aplasia of vas deferens (CBAVD, OMIM: 277180) in male patients. The L138ins (c.413_415dup; p. (Leu138dup)) is a mild variant in the gene that is relatively common among CF-patients in Slavic populations. The frequency of this variant in Russian infertile men has not been sufficiently studied; (2) Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 6033 Russian infertile men. The patients were tested for 22 common in Russian populations pathogenic variants of the gene and the IVS9Tn-polymorphic locus of the intron 9. Molecular-genetic studies were performed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP-PCR), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and nested PCR (for analysis of the IVS9Tn-polymorphic locus); (3) Results: Pathogenic variants in the were detected in 3.9% of patients. The most frequent variants were F508del and CFTRdele2.3(21kb), accounted for 61.0% and 7.1% of detected variants, respectively. The L138ins variant was detected in 17 (0.28%) individuals: one of them was homozygous, 10 patients were heterozygous, and 6 patients were compound-heterozygous (F508del/L138ins, = 4; L138ins/N1303K, = 1; L138ins/5T, = 1). Two pathogenic CF-causing variants in the gene were detected in 8 patients, including 7 compound heterozygous (F508del/L138ins, = 4; F508del/N1303K, = 1; 2184insA/E92K, = 1; 3849+10kbC>T/E92K, = 1) and one homozygous (L138ins/L138ins). The L138ins variant was found in 7 out of 16 (43.75%) chromosomes in six of these patients. The most common pathogenic variant, F508del, was identified in five out of them, in 5 of 16 (31.25%) chromosomes. The allele frequency (AF) of the L138ins variant in the sample has been found to be 0.0014.; (4) Conclusions: The L138ins variant of the gene is the third most common variant after F508del and CFTRdele2.3(kb) among Russian infertile men.
Topics: Humans; Male; Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Gene Frequency; Mutation; Russia; Infertility, Male
PubMed: 37510311
DOI: 10.3390/genes14071407 -
Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine Nov 2023Isolated congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (iCBAVD) in men results in obstructive azoospermia and is mainly caused by pathogenic variants in cystic fibrosis...
Compound heterozygous variants in CFTR with potentially reducing ATP-binding ability identified in Chinese infertile brothers with isolated congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens.
BACKGROUND
Isolated congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (iCBAVD) in men results in obstructive azoospermia and is mainly caused by pathogenic variants in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2).
METHODS
The next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to screen the mutations in the proband, and Sanger sequencings were performed to validate the compound heterozygous variant of CFTR in his family members. Protein structure simulation was performed to discover the potential pathological mechanism.
RESULTS
This study reported novel compound heterozygous CFTR mutations (NM:000492.4, Intron: 5T; c.3965_3969dupTTGGG: p.R1325Gfs*5) in two brothers with obstructive azoospermia. The compound heterozygous CFTR mutations were first screened out by NGS in an infertile male patient who exhibited iCBAVD from a nonconsanguineous Chinese family. Histological analysis of the testicular biopsy from this patient revealed normal spermatogenesis and mature spermatozoa were observed in the seminiferous tubules. Surprisingly, the same compound heterozygous CFTR mutations were also observed in his brothers who also exhibited iCBAVD, with their parents being a heterozygous carrier for the mutations, as verified by Sanger sequencing. Protein structure simulation revealed that these mutations potentially led to impaired ATP-binding ability of CFTR.
CONCLUSION
We identified novel compound heterozygous CFTR mutations in two brothers and summarized the literature regarding CFTR mutation and male infertility. Our study may contribute to the genetic diagnosis of iCBAVD and future genetic counseling.
Topics: Humans; Male; Azoospermia; Siblings; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; East Asian People; Adenosine Triphosphate
PubMed: 37489040
DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2249 -
Microscopy and Microanalysis : the... Jul 2023This study aimed to clarify the three-dimensional ultrastructure of head-side mice spermatozoa mitochondria. Six 13-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were deeply anesthetized,...
Three-Dimensional Ultrastructural Analysis of the Head-Most Mitochondrial Roots of Mice Spermatozoa Using Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) Tomography.
This study aimed to clarify the three-dimensional ultrastructure of head-side mice spermatozoa mitochondria. Six 13-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were deeply anesthetized, perfused with 2% paraformaldehyde, and placed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer (pH 7.3) for electron microscopy. After perfusion, the vas deferens was removed, and the specimens were cut into small cubes and subjected to postfixation and en bloc staining. Three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis was performed on five mitochondria on the spermatozoa head using conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) tomography. Conventional TEM analysis showed that head-side mitochondria were not spiral in morphology but clearly horizontal to the sperm axis. However, this was difficult to evaluate further using conventional TEM. In the FIB/SEM analysis, the first and second head-most mitochondria were flat and straight, with no helix, and shaped as an attachment plug with two electrodes, and their tail side contacted the third mitochondrion. The third mitochondrion was shorter than the fourth and fifth and had a semicircular arching structure. The fourth and fifth mitochondria were spiral-shaped and intertwined. The redundant nuclear envelope encircled the head-most mitochondria. This ultrastructural analysis clarified that the head-most mitochondria have a unique morphology.
Topics: Male; Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Seeds; Spermatozoa; Mitochondria
PubMed: 37488820
DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad055 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Sep 2023Orchiectomy with a vas deferens to pampiniform plexus ligation (VPL) is a novel method, and it is unclear how its short-term outcomes compare with the results of a...
BACKGROUND
Orchiectomy with a vas deferens to pampiniform plexus ligation (VPL) is a novel method, and it is unclear how its short-term outcomes compare with the results of a conventional method, spermatic cord ligation (SCL).
OBJECTIVE
To compare the short-term outcomes of SCL and VPL on inflammation, surgery time, bleeding, pain and surgeon satisfaction during canine open orchiectomy.
METHODS
Thirty male crossbred dogs undergoing open orchiectomy were enrolled the study. Dogs were randomly allocated to one of the SCL or VPL groups, with 15 patients in each. In the SCL group, the spermatic cord was ligated using absorbable sutures. The vas deferens, and pampiniform plexus self-tying were performed in the VPL group. Surgery time, bleeding and surgeon satisfaction scores were recorded. Inflammation at the surgical site was assessed using infrared thermal camera over three days, and pain associated with inflammation was scored on the third day.
RESULTS
On Day 3, the average temperature in the SCL group was significantly higher than that of the VPL group, with a mean difference of 4.63°C (95% CI: 2.34-6.93, p < 0.001). Moreover, the surgery time in the VPL group was significantly longer compared to the SCL group, with a mean difference of 1.7 min (95% CI: 0.28-3.11, p = 0.021). The bleeding score was also significantly higher in the VPL group (p = 0.012). On the other hand, surgeon satisfaction and pain scores were not significantly different between groups.
CONCLUSION
Both SCL and VPL methods are safe and effective for orchiectomy in dogs. VPL is comparable in efficacy and safety and has the additional benefit of less inflammation.
Topics: Dogs; Male; Animals; Spermatic Cord; Vas Deferens; Orchiectomy; Prospective Studies; Inflammation; Pain; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37466009
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1208 -
Case - Vas deferens injury after herniorrhaphy leading to epididymal blowout in a pediatric patient.Canadian Urological Association Journal... Sep 2023
PubMed: 37458743
DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.8316