• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.435-445
• /
• 2004

The characteristics of the testis and the annual cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of the Miniopterus schreibersi fuliginosus were examined by optical microscopy. The testis weight and diameter of the seminiferous tubules were increased gradually from May to July, and the highest activity was observed in August. The size then decreased rapidly from October. Spermatogenesis began in May, peaked in August, and was suspended from October to April in the following year. Spermatocytogenesis were produced from May to July. Spermiogenesis occurred from August to September. In particular, immature spematogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules were engulfed by the phagocytosis of Sertoli cells in October. From November to April, the seminiferous tubuly contained only Sertoli cells and Ad spermatogonia. Therefore, the periodic changes in the seminiferous epithelium of M. S. fuliginosus suggest that a long hibernation is an adaptive strategy for the preservation of energy and the regulation of the breeding cycle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.171-175
• /
• 2011

Malignant Sertoli cell tumor was diagnosed in a 5-year-old male Shih Tzu dog. Clinical features of the dog were anorexia, urinary incontinence, constipation, anemia, alopecia, and epistaxis. The dog also had unilateral cryptorchid testis in the abdomen. Several abdominal and thoracic masses were identified on radiography. Grossly, the cryptorchid testicular mass was markedly enlarged to 8 cm in diameter. On cut surface, firm and well demarcated milk-white neoplastic areas were irregularly separated by white fibrous bands. Histologically, the testicular mass was diagnosed as tubular pattern Sertoli cell tumor. In addition, abdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis were found. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin and neuron specific enolase, but negative for S-100 and cytokeratin.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.04a
• /
• pp.98.2-98
• /
• 2001

No Abstract, See Full Text

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of wogonin on the production of hydrogen peroxide in polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C)-stimulated TM4 mouse sertoli cells. Methods : TM4 were treated with poly I:C (50 ug/mL) and wogonin at concentrations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 µM for 30 min, 2 hr, 12 hr, 18 hr, and 24 hr. The production of intracellular hydrogen peroxide was measured by dihydrorhodamine 123 assay. Results : For 30 min, 2 hr, 12 hr, 18 hr, and 24 hr treatment, wogonin significantly inhibited intracellular hydrogen peroxide productions of TM4 at the concentration of 5, 10, 25, and 50 µM (p<0.05). In details, production of hydrogen peroxide in poly I:C-stimulated TM4 treated for 30 min with wogonin at concentrations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 µM was 95.67%, 92.69%, 92.05%, and 91.97% of the control group treated with poly I:C only, respectively; the production of hydrogen peroxide for 2 hr was 94.44%, 94.41%, 93%, and 92.98%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 12 hr was 96.78%, 95.32%, 94.33%, and 93.17%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 18 hr was 94.7%, 93.4%, 93.38%, and 93.35%, respectively; and production of hydrogen peroxide for 24 hr was 95.75%, 94.77%, 94.58%, and 92.8%, respectively. Conclusions : Wogonin might have anti-viral property related with its inhibition of intracellular hydrogen peroxide production in poly I:C-stimulated TM4 cells.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.291-299
• /
• 2023

Background: Leydig cells, crucial for testosterone production, express ion channels like ANO1 that influence hormone secretion. This study investigates the expression and role of the Tandem of P domains in a weak inward rectifying K⁺ channel-related Acid-Sensitive K⁺-1 (TASK-1) channel in these cells, exploring its impact on testicular function and steroidogenesis. Methods: TASK-1 expression in Leydig cells was confirmed using immunostaining, while RT-PCR and Western Blot (WB) validated its expression in the TM3 Leydig cell line. The effect of a TASK-1 channel blocker on cell viability was assessed through live/dead staining and MTT assays. Additionally, the blocker's effect on testosterone secretion was evaluated by measuring testosterone levels. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a predominant presence of TASK-1, along with c-Kit and ANO-1, in Leydig cells adjacent to seminiferous tubules and also in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Expression levels of TASK-1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in TM3 Leydig cells compared to TM4 Sertoli cells. In addition, blocking TASK-1 in TM3 cells with ML365 induced cell death but did not affect LH-induced testosterone secretion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TASK-1 in Leydig cells is crucial for their viability and proliferation, highlighting its potential importance in testicular physiology.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2000

Spatiotemporal expression of two isoforms of zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1), tight junctional protein, was examined in mouse testis. By RT-PCR, transcripts encoding two isoforms of ZO-1; ZO-1$\alpha$+ and ZO-1$\alpha$- were detected in testis. Two different forms of ZO-1 antigens with Mr.225 and 2001 KDa were detected in western blot of extract of neonatal to adult testis, coinciding with the result of RT-PCR. The relative amount of ZO-1 $\alpha$- versus 20-1 $\alpha$＋ increased as the mice matured. In immunostaining using the pan antibody which detected both isoforms, ZO-1 was localized in the intercellular spaces in the Sertoli cell - Sertoli cell contacts in periphery of seminiferous tubule as well as Sertoli cell - germ cells contacts within the seminiferous tubule. The expression of ZO-1 was ubiquitous in both junctional area and cytoplasm of seminiferous tubule components. However, more intense signals were found in Sertoli cell junctional areas according to sexual maturation. The changes in the relative amount of both isoforms and spatial distribution of ZO-1 at the periphery of seminiferous tubule might be important for functional appearance of blood testis barrier and spermatogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.205-212
• /
• 2008

In this study morphological changes of the testes of golden hamsters treated with 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN, 10 mg/kg body weight) in every two days were investigated using light and transmission electron microscopes. After the 7th injection of 6-AN, body weights of hamsters were significantly reduced, and the weight of testes were markedly reduced in the group of hamsters after 5th injections. Degeneration of seminiferous epithelium appeared first in the group receiving 5th injections, which were followed by severe degenerations after the 9th injection. In the degenerated seminiferous epithelium, deep vacuolization, and destruction of spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells were also oberved. Multinuclear giant cells were also observed in the lumen of destructed seminiferous epithelium. But there were no edematous changes in the interstitial tissue, and the Leydig cells were found to be relatively intact. Therefore, these results show that 6-AN trigger severe morphological alteration of the spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells, however Leydig cells are unaltered by 6-AN.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.3 s.70
• /
• pp.387-396
• /
• 2005

The aims of the study were to establish a short-term screening test for detecting testicular toxicity of chemicals in rats and to determine whether a 2-week administration period is sufficient to detect testicular toxicity of 2-bromopropane (2-BP) as an example. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subcutaneously administered with 1000 mg/kg/day of 2-BP or its vehicle for 2 weeks. Ten male rats each were sacrificed on days 3, 7 and 14 after the initiation of treatment. Parameters of testicular toxicity included genital organ weights, testicular sperm head counts, epididymal sperm counts, motility and morphology, and qualitative and quantitative histopathologic examinations. The early histopathological changes observed on day 3 of treatment included degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, multinuclear giant cells, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, and decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V. On day 7 of treatment, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, exfoliation of germ cells, degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, multinuclear giant cells, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V, and decreased number of spermatocytes in stages VII and XII. On day 14 after treatment, a significant decrease in the weights of testes and seminal vesicles was found. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules, exfoliation of germ cells, degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V, and decreased number of spermatocytes in all spermatogenic stages were also observed. In addition, a slight non-significant decrease in testicular sperm head counts, daily sperm production rate and epididymal sperm counts was found. The results showed that 2 weeks of treatment is sufficient to detect the adverse effects of 2-BP on male reproductive organs. It is considered that the short-term testicular toxicity study established in this study can be a useful tool for screening the testicular toxic potential of new drug candidates in rats.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.04a
• /
• pp.97.2-97
• /
• 2001

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.178-179
• /
• 2003

The testis is composed of four cell types like supporting cells, steroid-producing cells, connective tissue cells and germ cells. Apoptosis is a common phenomenon during spormatogenesis. Apoptosis of germ cells can also be induced by exposure to radiation. Previous studies have shown that most types of germ cells are rather radiosensitive while somatic cells in testis are much more radio-resistant. The somatic cells in testis are divided to mainly Sertoli and Leydig cells. Though somatic cells are more radio-resistant than germ cells, radiation can induce the impairment of their function. This damaged function of somatic cells may accelerates degeneration of germ cell indirectly. Tn the present study, we have examined the apoptotic effect of mouse testis and irradiation effect of steroidogenesis of Leydig cells after irradiation.