• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 1999

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticize. known as one of endocrine disruptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of prepubertal rat testis after oral administration of DEHP in dosages of 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg or 5g/kg in 0.5 ml of corn oil daily for a week. This study revealed the DEHP inhibited the development of seminiferous tubules and induced structural changes on various cell types of the rat testis. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and the developing germ cells seemed to be impaired their differentiations in terms of the structural changes of cell organelles. The increase of heterochromatin in amount were common features in all 3 cell types. In addition, the Leydig cells were characterized by the increases in number and size of lysosomes and the scantiness of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The Sertoli cells became irregular in nuclear envelope and the cytoplasm decreased, but the number of lysosomes and vacuoles seemed to be increased. There were some indications of necrosis of the germ cells, such as vacuolized nucleus and segregated nucleolus. These detrimental effects of DEHP on the rat testis were dose dependent and suppressed spermatogenesis decreasing developing germ cells in number and appearances. The effect of DEHP on ultrastructure of rat testis, as its known physiological functions, seems come from the decreased level of testosterone by Leydig cells, followed by the abnomalities of Sertoli cells and the germ cells.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2013

The present study examined the histological characteristics of adult testis in the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) from Korean waters and the localization of DEAD-box polypeptide 4 (DDX4; a germ cell marker) and vimentin (a Sertoli cell marker) expression in the dolphin testis compared with that in terrestrial mammals, including dogs and rats. The seminiferous tubules of dolphin testis have very small or completely closed lumens, and spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells within the tubules cannot be differentiated. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that, in the dolphin testis, DDX4- and vimentin-positive cells were scattered extensively within the tubule, whereas in the dog and rat testis, DDX4 immunoreactivity was localized in spermatogenic cells of the adluminal compartment, and vimentin immunoreactivity was localized in Sertoli cells of the basal compartment in the seminiferous epithelium. These results suggest that the histological characteristics of the seminiferous tubules in the dolphin testis differ from those of terrestrial species.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.508-514
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• 1998

We studied the effects of ASC-17D rat Sertoli cell-conditioned media (rSCCM) on the proliferation of the DU145 prostate cancer cells. rSCCM was prepared from ASC-17D cells cultured in DMEM/F-12 serum-free media at a nonpermissive temperature of $40^{\circ}C$, which is the condition for the high expression of c1usterin. We found that rSCCM could inhibit the proliferation of DU145 cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner. This growth arresting activity was abolished by boiling rSCCM for 5 min. The G1 growth-inhibiting activity of rSCCM was also detected in other prostate-originated cancer cells examined (i.e., LNCaP and PC-3) but not in other cells (ASC-17D, HepG2, SK-N-SH, and NIH3T3). Western blot analysis of partially purified growth inhibiting fractions with the clusterin antibody showed that the cytostatic factor in rSCCM was not c1usterin. This cytostatic factor was semi purified by DEAE-Sepharose, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and Phenyl-Sepharose column chromatography, and was estimated to have a molecular weight of 88 kDa by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1194-1203
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• 2021

Preparation of recipient stallions is critical step to produce donor spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) derived sperm using transplantation technique. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intravenous busulfan infusion on germ cell depletion, semen production, and libido in stallions. Six Thoroughbred stallions were separated into two treatment groups: 1) a multiple low-dose (2.5 mg/kg bw for the first 4 weeks and 5 mg/kg bw for the 5th week); and 2) control group treated with PBS. Testicular samples were obtained at 11 weeks and classified into three different patterns of spermatogenesis, such as normal, Sertoli cell only, and destroyed. Semen collection and libido experiments were performed 1 week before treatment, and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. For the sperm analysis, total spermatozoa and motility were measured using a light microscope with a motility analyzing system. In the multiple low-dose group, the numbers of tubules categorized as Sertoli cell only were significantly higher than those in the control as well as the total population and total/progressive motility of sperm were significantly decreased 8 weeks after the start of the treatment. The sperm production and motility in the multiple low-dose group appears to be reduced, while libido was maintained. In conclusion, multiple administration of 2.5 mg/kg bw busulfan depletes endogenous germ cells in the stallion recipients for SSC transplantation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.57-69
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• 1996

To examine the process of spermiogenesis in the Korean red-backed vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus regulus, the seminiferous epithelium in the testis, was studied by trasmission electron microscopy, and the following results were obtained based on the morphological characteristics of cell differentiation. 1. According to the fine structural differentiation, spermiogenesis was divided into Golgi, cap, acrosome, maturation and spermiation phases. Besides, these phases were sub-divided into two steps : early and late phases respectively, Thus, the spermiogenesis of Clethrionomys rufocanus regulus was divided into a total of ten steps. 2. In the changes of the chromatin, the chromatin granules began to be condenced in the late Golgi phase, regularizated at maturation phases, and a perfect nucleus of sperm was formed at the spermiation phases. 3. The sperm head had the falciform, and the formative period of sperm tail began to be develop in the early Golgi phase and completed at the spermiation phases. 4. In the morphological features of spermiation phases, the spermatid of early spermiation phase was divided into three types : (1) A-type spermatid contained cytoplasmic droplets in the neck region and middle piece, and the mitochondria was irregular, and arranged around the axoneme. (2) B-type contained cytoplasmic droplet in the middle piece only, and the mitochondria are arranged the center of axoneme regularly, and (3) In the C-type spermatid, the arrangement of mitochondria was regular, and was contained cytoplasmic droplet in the neck region only. In the late spermiation phase, only the sperm head was surrounded by cytoplasm of Sertoli cell or the matured sperm just before the spermiation from the cytoplasm of Sertoli cell.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.367-373
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• 2017

This study was performed using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods to investigate the effect of Gami-Shinkiwhan(GS) on reproductive function of male aged mice. 8-weeks-old ICR mice were used as control group, without any treatment, and 15-month-old ICR mice were used as aging elicited group(AE) and Gami-Shinkiwhan treatment group(GS). AE group didn't restrict diets and drinking for 6 months without any treatment. GS was administered 0.56g/kg/day for 6 months. Compared with AE group, the cell division of sertoli cells, spermatids, and spermatogonial cells was increased and the apoptosis of sertoli cells was decreased on GS group. Androgen receptor positive reaction and $17{\beta}$-HSD positive reaction were significantly increased in the GS group compared to AE group. In addition, the DJ-1 positive reaction was significantly increased and the HDAC3 positive response was significantly decreased in the GS group compared with AE group. Based on the above results, GS prevented the apoptosis of sertoli cells in the tubules, and increased the production of sertoli cells, spermatozoa and testosterone. Based on this, it is thought that it improves male reproductive dysfunction caused by late-onset hypogonadism.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.235-244
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• 2004

Objective: The effects on spermatogenesis by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Testicular specimens were obtained from 40 infertile males due to primary testicular failure and from 10 fertile males with other urologic problems. The specimens of infertile males were devided into 4 groups according to histologic findings; Sertoli cell only syndrome (A), maturation arrest (B), hypospermatogenesis (C) and sloughing and disorganization (D). VEGF and ET-1 expression were detected with immunohistochemical stain. Results: VEGF expression on Leydig cell was detected in all cases. But, VEGF expression rates on germ cell were significantly higher in infertile group B, C, D compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). ET-1 expression rates on Leydig cell was significantly lower in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). But, ET-1 expression rates on Sertoli cell was significantly higher in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p>0.05). In germ cell of infertile group, LH, FSH and prolactin were significantly decreased, and estradiol is increased in positive stain group on ET-1 immunohistochemical stain (p<0.05). VEGF and ET-1 expression were not correlated mean seminiferous tubule diameter (p>0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal spermatogenesis would be reflected in VEGF expression in germ cell.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.45-48
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• 2001

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.36-50
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• 1993

한국산 관박쥐(Rhinolophusfewmequinum Jroma의 웅성생식 pattern을 알아보기 위하여 정소의 형태변화와 세정관 정상피의 1년주기를 조사하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 정자형성은 5월에 시작되어 10월말에 완료되었다. 7월초부터 10월중순까지는 정자변태과정이며, 정자형성과정의 활성도가 가장 높은 달은 8월 중순경이었다. 또한 교미가 끝난 11월경부터 세정관내에는 미성숙한 정자세포가 Sertoli cell의 식작용과정의 일환으로 포식되어졌고, 91년 12월부터 92년 1월, 2월, 3월, 그리고 동면각성기인 4월의 실험군에서도 역시 점진적으로 식작용 과정을 관찰할 수 있었다. 교미가 끝난 후의 세정관 내에는 새로운 정자를 만들기 위한 준비단계로서 미성숙된 정자들이 Sertoli cell의 식작용에 의해 정화(cleaning)되므로 이 기간을 정화기간(cleaning time)이라 볼 수 있다. 따라서 정소내 세정관의 1년 주기를 볼 때 정화기간은 동면 개시기인 11월부터 익년 4월까지 약 6개월에 걸쳐 이루어 진다. 이상의 결과로 볼때, 정자형성은 동면각성 직후부터 시작하여 10월경에 완료되며 교미개시기에는 정지되고, 동면기 동안 정자형성이 일어나지 않는 점으로 보아 한국산 관박쥐는 'Pipistnfluspottem'에 속한다고 할 수 있다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2003

Cell differentiation and ultrastructural characteristics in the seminiferous epithelium of Myotis macrodactylus was investigated with the light and electron microscopes. Spermatogenesis has begun at April and finished at September. The nuclei of A spermatogonia (dark and pale type of spermatogonia) were oval, applied to the basal lamina, and surrounded by Sertoli cells. By comparison with other types of spermatogonia, the cell and nucleus of B type of spermatogonium is globular and larger than A types of spermatogonia. The nucleolus appears as a coarse and touches the nuclear membrane. The cell and nucleus of spermatocytes was globular and larger, but primary spematocyte is larger than secondary spermatocyte. Spermiogenesis was divided according to the level of fine structural difference, into Golgi, cap, acrosomal, maturation and spermiation phases; Golgi, cap, acrosomal and spermiation phases were further subdivided into steps of early and late phase respectively, and maturation phase has only one step. Hence, the spermiogenesis has been divided into a total of nine phases. In the change of karyoplasm, the chromatin granules are condensed at late Golgi phase and completed at spermiation phase. The sperm tail began to develop in early Golgi phase and completed in spermiation phase. The process of degeneration of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules was continually observed from October, before the beginning of hibernation, to hibernation phase (November, December, January, February, March). Immatured spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules have been engulfed by phagocytosis of Sertoli cells during period of degeneration. It is deduced that the adaptative strategy serves as the mechanism to regulate the effective use of energy to prepare for long hibernation and regulation of breeding cycle.