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Male Genital Tract (male + genital_tract)
Selected AbstractsThe sex-peptide DUP99B is expressed in the male ejaculatory duct and in the cardia of both sexesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 21 2003Albana Rexhepaj Mating elicits two postmating responses in many insect females: the egg laying rate increases and sexual receptivity is reduced. In Drosophila melanogaster, two peptides of the male genital tract, sex-peptide and DUP99B, elicit these postmating responses when injected into virgin females. Here we show that the gene encoding DUP99B is expressed in the male ejaculatory duct and in the cardia of both sexes. The DUP99B that is synthesized in the ejaculatory duct is transferred, during mating, into the female genital tract. Expression of the gene is first seen in a late pupal stage. Males containing an intact ejaculatory duct, but lacking accessory glands, initiate the two postmating responses in their female partners [Xue, L. & Noll, M. (2000) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA97, 3272,3275]. Although such males synthesize DUP99B in wild-type quantities, they elicit only weak postmating responses in their mating partners. Males lacking the Dup99B gene elicit the two postmating responses to the same extent as wild-type males. These results suggest that both sex-peptide and DUP99B can elicit both responses in vivo. However, sex-peptide seems to play the major role in eliciting the postmating responses, while DUP99B may have specialized for other, as yet unknown, functions. [source] The expression of glutathione reductase in the male reproductive system of rats supports the enzymatic basis of glutathione function in spermatogenesisFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 5 2002Tomoko Kaneko Glutathione reductase (GR) recycles oxidized glutathione (GSSG) by converting it to the reduced form (GSH) using an NADPH as the electron source. The function of GR in the male genital tract of the rat was examined by measuring its enzymatic activity and examining the gene expression and localization of the protein. Levels of GR activity, the protein, and the corresponding mRNA were the highest in epididymis among testes, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, and prostate gland. The localization of GR, as evidenced by immunohistochemical techniques, reveals that it exists at high levels in the epithelia of the genital tract. In testis, GR is mainly localized in Sertoli cells. The enzymatic activity and protein expression of GR in primary cultured testicular cells confirmed its predominant expression in Sertoli cells. Intracellular GSH levels, expressed as mol per mg protein, was higher in spermatogenic cells than in Sertoli cells. As a result of these findings, the effects of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor for GSH synthesis, and 1,3-bis(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor for GR, on cultured testicular cells were examined. Sertoli cells were prone to die as the result of BCNU, but not BSO treatment, although intracellular levels of GSH declined more severely with BSO treatment. Spermatogenic cells were less sensitive to these agents than Sertoli cells, which indicates that the contribution of these enzymes is less significant in spermatogenic cells. The results herein suggest that the GR system in Sertoli cells is involved in the supplementation of GSH to spermatogenic cells in which high levels of cysteine are required for protamine synthesis. In turn, the genital tract, the epithelia of which are rich in GR, functions in an antioxidative manner to protect sulfhydryl groups and unsaturated fatty acids in spermatozoa from oxidation during the maturation process and storage. [source] ,1 -antitrypsin prevents polymorphonuclear leucocyte-elastase effects on spermatozoa qualityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2010J. Leßig Summary Elevated levels of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN)-derived elastase, which is suggested as marker for inflammations in the male genital tract, correlate well with spermatozoa deterioration. PMN elastase caused a time- and concentration-dependent (up to a elastase concentration of 0.5 ,g/mL) externalization of phosphatidylserine and intercalation of propidium iodide on human spermatozoa. There are apparently a limited number of target sites for elastase on spermatozoa surface, because the further enhancement of elastase amount did not fasten alterations in spermatozoa parameters. Analysis of flow cytometry data revealed that most spermatozoa were in a necrotic state after an exposure with elastase for 22 h. Some apoptotic cells were only detected at shorter incubation periods. Seminal plasma prevented in a concentration-dependent manner the PMN elastase-mediated loss of vitality of spermatozoa. We detected by blotting techniques large amounts of ,1 -antitrypsin in seminal plasma. This antiproteinase is known to inactivate elastase at inflammatory sites. Increasing concentrations of ,1 -antitrypsin prevented gradually spermatozoa deterioration induced by elastase. Thus, ,1 -antitrypsin contributes to an efficient protease/antiproteinase balance in seminal plasma. A disturbed balance will promote the development of chronic inflammations which can also be the reason for male infertility problems. [source] Photoperiod-induced apoptosis in the male genital tract epithelia of the golden hamsterINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2007Rosa Carballada Summary The aim of this study was to identify some details of the changes induced by a short-day light regime (8:16 light:dark) on the male genital tract and accessory sex glands of the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus. We principally examined the presence of apoptotic cells in the epithelium from different regions of the epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate and coagulating gland. We detected an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in situ using the TUNEL technique in animals that were maintained for 6, 8 or 12 weeks in a short photoperiod. That those cells were indeed undergoing apoptosis was confirmed by the immunodetection of the active fragment of caspase-3. The apoptotic indices in the different tissues analysed were low, but were maintained for weeks, suggesting cell loss at a steady rate. We tried to correlate these changes with the testosterone levels in serum as well as with the oxidative stress in the tissue. On the other hand, the increase in size and number of lipofuscin granules indicated the possibility that a parallel increase in oxidative stress occurred in the tissues. The normalization in the number of apoptotic cells and lipofuscin granules in animals treated with testosterone suggests that both phenomena might be related to changes in the hormone levels. [source] Leptin and leptin receptor in human seminal plasma and in human spermatozoaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 6 2003T. Jope Summary Leptin, a 167 amino acid peptide, is known to influence the gonads via direct and indirect effects. Recent studies provide contradictory proposition about the peripheral impact of leptin in the male gonads. Thus, we examined leptin and its receptors in human seminal plasma and in human ejaculated spermatozoa by Western blot technique and fluorescence microscopy. In seminal plasma we found a free leptin band (16 kDa) by an anti-leptin polyclonal antibody. Incubation of seminal plasma with recombinant leptin caused a statistically significant increase in the amount of free leptin (p < 0.01) and supports this finding. Furthermore, a soluble leptin receptor (145 kDa) was found in human seminal plasma in the same specimen. We also detected a 145-kDa leptin receptor isoform in ejaculated spermatozoa as a possible target of leptin action in the male genital tract, which was localized at the tail of spermatozoa by immunofluorescence microscopy only. This receptor was significantly associated with the intactness of sperm plasma membranes. Spermatozoa with deteriorated membranes contained 49.2 ± 6.9% leptin receptor signal intensity compared with spermatozoa having intact membranes (p < 0.01). This finding is difficult to interpret and may be caused by a leakage of OB-R due to loss of membrane integrity. In conclusion, these data provide further hints for a peripheral role of leptin in the male genital tract, possibly, by an interaction between leptin and spermatozoa via sperm leptin receptors. [source] Leiomyosarcoma of the Penis Presenting as a Cutaneous LesionJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Thomas L. Cibull We report a case of a 68-year-old man with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the penis. Leiomyosarcoma of the penis is an extremely rare neoplasm that usually presents in middle to old age, and to our knowledge only approximately 30 cases have been reported in the literature to date. This is an important diagnosis in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous spindle cell neoplasms of the male genital tract. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-,, IL-10, HSP-60, Anti-HSP-60 Antibodies, and Anti-sperm Antibodies, in Semen of Men with Leukocytes and/or BacteriaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Elizabeth Martínez-Prado Citation Martínez-Prado E, Bermúdez MIC. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-,, IL-10, HSP-60, anti-HSP-60 antibodies, and anti-sperm antibodies, in semen of men with leukocytes and/or bacteria. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 233,243 Problem, Different cellular and biochemical markers have been proposed as indicators of infection-inflammation of male genital tract. Method of study, Semen samples from 80 men attending an andrologic clinic were evaluated to determine the presence of leukocyte, bacteria, antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis, levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-,, HSP-60, anti-HSP-60 antibodies, and anti-sperm antibodies. Results, Leukocytes in semen significantly correlated with an increase in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-,. The simultaneous presence of pathogens and leukocytes was associated with high levels of IL-8 and TNF-,, whereas IL-6 was more associated with the presence of leukocytes. Anti-HSP-60 antibodies positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8. The presence of anti-sperm antibodies highly associated with an increase in anti-HSP-60 antibodies. Conclusions, The type of cytokines present in the semen will depend on the single or simultaneous presence of leukocytes and/or pathogens. Chronic male genital tract infections could be associated with the development of anti-HSP-60 antibodies and anti-sperm antibodies. [source] Bacterial flora of the low male genital tract in patients consulting for infertilityANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2005F. Virecoulon Summary The physiological aerobic bacterial flora of the low male genital tract was determined. This prospective study was performed on 600 semen specimens collected from 543 asymptomatic males consulting for infertility. Semen cultures were sterile in 28.8%, with a polymicrobial flora and/or absence or low titres of Ureaplasma urealyticum in 49.3%, and with one or two aerobic and facultative bacteria ,1 × 103 CFU ml,1 and/or U. urealyticum with titres ,104 CCU ml,1 (colour changing units) in 21.8%. In standard aerobic cultures, Gardnerella vaginalis was the most commonly isolated species (26.1%), followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (15.7%) and Streptococcus anginosus (14.2%). Ureaplasma urealyticum was absent in 84.5% of semen samples, but when recovered, high (,104 CCU ml,1) and low titres (,103 CCU ml,1) were counted in 7.2% and 8.3% respectively. Of 48 patients, the follow-up of semen cultures showed marked variations in time. This study shows that (i) there was no relationship between the bacterial flora and the leucocytospermia; (ii) low titres of U. urealyticum in semen were not associated with a disturbance of the ecosystem; (iii) the critical threshold for U. urealyticum should be raised to ,104 CFU ml,1 and (iv) a positive semen culture should be repeated before any treatment. [source] C3 in seminal plasma has no additional informative value in the diagnosis of infection/inflammation of the male genital tractANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2003R. Boit Summary. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of complement fraction C3 (C3c) in seminal plasma. Therefore 120 samples from randomly chosen subfertile males without signs of genital tract infection were screened for C3 and for seminal leucocytes as markers for subclinical infection/inflammation. A comprehensive semen evaluation included sperm analysis, sperm migration testing, immunocytochemical round cell differentiation to determine seminal leucocyte counts and the leucocyte ratio and semen cultures, in aliquots of the same ejaculates. C3 concentrations were significantly correlated with leucocyte counts per ml (P < 0.002) and per ejaculate (P < 0.001), and with the leucocyte ratio (P < 0.001). No association of C3 concentrations with semen quality or with the bacterial colonization of semen samples was found. The significant association with seminal leucocytes suggests that C3 might be used as an additional marker for silent male genital tract infection. In comparison with semen leucocytes, C3 screening does not reveal any further information about semen quality or infection/inflammation pathogenesis of the male genital tract. [source] Congenital absence of the portal vein,Case report and a review of literatureCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 7 2010Jana Mistinova Abstract Congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare anomaly in which the intestinal and the splenic venous drainage bypass the liver and drain into systemic veins through various venous shunts. To our knowledge, we have reviewed all 83 cases of CAPV, since first described in 1793. This equates to a rate of almost 2.5 cases per year over the last 30 years. Morgan and Superina (1994, J. Pediatr. Surg. 29:1239,1241) proposed the following classification of portosystemic anomalies; either the liver is not perfused with portal blood because of a complete shunt (Type I) or the liver is perfused with portal blood due to the presence of a partial shunt (Type II). In our case, abdominal venous blood drained into the suprarenal inferior vena cava via the left renal vein and dilated left gastric veins. After analyzing all reported cases, we recognize that more than 65% of patients are females and more than 30% of all published cases had been diagnosed by the age of 5 years. Additional anomalies are common in CAPV. In the reported cases, more then 22% of patients had congenital heart disease. Other commonly found anomalies include abnormalities of the spleen, urinary and male genital tract, brain as well as skeletal anomalies. Hepatic changes such as focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatoblastoma are diagnosed in more then 40% of patients. This article also illustrates the radiological findings of CAPV. Radiological evaluation by ultrasound, CT, and MRI is helpful to detect coexisting abnormalities. Clin. Anat. 23:750,758, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||