• Development and Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2003

The present study observed the ultrastructure of testis of bluespotted mud hopper(Boleophthalmus pectinirostris), and sperrnatogenesis was discussed also. The testis was surrounded by a thin adventitia, inside which spermatocyst composed the parenchyma of testis. Each lobule was enwrapped by many spermatocysts, which were filled with different kinds of spermatogenic cell clusters at the same developmental stage. In the lobule lumen there are large numbers of spermatozoa The thin adventitia(outer wall) of testis was composed of outer epithelium, and the underlying layers, such as collagen fiber layer, and myoid tissue. The myoid tissue elongated into the inside of testis, became the main componentof interstitium between spermatocyst where sperrnatogenesis occurred. In addition interstitial cells containing dense homogeneous nucleus and abundant mitochondria were observed. Spermatogonia contained round nucleus with diffuse chromatin and nucleolus, and dense nuclear bodies surround by mitochondria in cytoplasm. The synaptonemal . complex was observed in primary spermatocytes clearly. Early spermatid presented larger round nucleus composed of granular chromatin, which was located in the center of cytoplasm. The nucleus of mid-spermatid composed of finely granular chromatin lied on one side of spermatid, and abundant mitochondria had migrated another side. A nuclear fossa appeared in the site near mitochondria in late-spermatid, and the centriole was formed in nuclear fossa.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 1989

This study was conducted in order to observe the changes in cellular association of seminiferous tubules from 4 to 22 weeks of age and to obtain the cycle and relative duration of seminiferous epithelia from 24 weeks of age in male ducks. Fifety-five male ducks were used in the experiment and divided into 11 groups, consisting of 5 male ducks each, with 2 weeks intervals from 4 to 24 weeks of age. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The body and testes weight showed most rapid increase during 4 to 6 weeks and 18 to 22 weeks of age, respectively. The seminiferous tubules were obruptly enlarged in diameter of tubules during 18 to 22 weeks of age. 2. Gonocytes were seen from 4 to 6 weeks of age, however they were not observed as from 8 weeks of age. Both type Ap spermatogonia and type Ad spermatogonia occured from 8 to 12 weeks of age, while spermatocytes and spermatids were beginning to appear at 16 weeks and 18 weeks of age, respectively. Spermatozoa were first observed at 20 weeks of age. Full spermatogenic activity was completed at the age of 20 weeks. 3. Average paired weight of the testes in male ducks was 78g at 24 weeks of age and its ratio to the body weight was approximately 2.5 percent. 4. Average diameter of seminiferous epithelium at 22 weeks of age was $232{\mu}m$, and average numbers of Sertoli cell, spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatids and spermatozoa in the cross section of seminiferous epithelium were 15.30, 59.08, 41.78, 71.11 and 165.30, respectively. Spermatogonia and spermatids were classified into 2 and 4 types, respectively. 5. The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium could be divided into 5 stages at 24 weeks of age. The relative frequencies of stages from I to V were 13.5%, 25.0%, 22.3%, 20.6% and 18.7% respectively. Thus, establishment of spermatogenesis in male ducks were beginning to appear at 20 weeks of age.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 1997

The morphology of the ductuli efferentes of the Korean native pheasants were observed in order to obtain a basic data for further studying reproductive physiology and other male genital organs. The mature (14-16 months after hatching) male pheasants were used in this study. The specimens from pheasants were collected on a monthly basis. The general morphological changes of the ductuli efferentes were observed with hematoxylineosin stain, and semithin section by light microscope. The ultrastructural changes of the ductuli efferentes were investigated with ultrathin section by transmission electron microscope. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. During the breeding season, the average height of ductuli efferentes epithelium was $23.45{\pm}2.34{\mu}m$ and was largely decreased by $17.85{\pm}2.01{\mu}m$ during the non-breeding season. The thickeness of interstitial tissue was comparatively increased during the non-breeding season. 2. During the breeding season, the epithelial cells of ductuli efferentes were well developed. During the non-breeding season, epithelial layer and lumen of ductuli efferentes, were markedley reduced compared with those of breeding season. 3. Morphological changes of the ductuli efferentes underwent periodic changes paralleling to the spermatogenic cycle. 4. At least two different cell types were identified in the epithelium of ductuli efferentes, namely non-ciliated and ciliated cells. 5. The ciliated cells possess many vesicles, slightly smaller than those of the non-ciliated cells. 6. The ciliated cells contained numerous mitochondria, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, lysosome, and oval nuclei. The non-ciliated cells had a irregular nuclei and a cytoplasm containing few organelles. 7. During the breeding season, a number of vesicles, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and mitochondria were distinctively showed in the epithelial cells but in the non-breeding season only a few observed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2024

Objective: Chronic scrotal hyperthermia (SHT) can lead to serious disorders of the male reproductive system, with oxidative stress playing a key role in the onset of these dysfunctions. Thus, we evaluated the impact of caffeine, a potent antioxidant, on cellular and tissue disorders in mice with chronic SHT. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male NMRI mice were allocated into seven equal groups. Apart from the non-treated control group, all were exposed to heat stress. Two groups, termed "preventive" and "curative," were orally administered caffeine. The preventive mice began receiving caffeine immediately prior to heat exposure, while for the curative group, a caffeine regimen was initiated 15 consecutive days following cessation of heat exposure. Each treated group was subdivided based on pairing with a positive control (Pre/ curative [Cur]+PC) or a vehicle (Pre/Cur+vehicle). Upon conclusion of the study, we assessed sperm characteristics, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, apoptosis, antioxidant and oxidant levels, and molecular markers. Results: Sperm parameters, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, biochemical factors (excluding malondialdehyde [MDA]), and c-kit gene expression were significantly elevated in the preventive and curative groups, especially the former, relative to the other groups. Conversely, expression levels of the heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) genes, MDA levels, and apoptotic cell density were markedly lower in both caffeine-treated groups relative to the other groups, with more pronounced differences observed in the preventive group. Conclusion: Overall, caffeine attenuated cellular and molecular abnormalities induced by heat stress in the testis, particularly in the mice treated under the preventive condition.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.123-130
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• 2000

2-Bromopropane, important industrial chemical, specially in electronic industry at Yangsan in Korea has been reported to cause amenorrhea for female and azoospermia, oligozoospermia or reduced sperm motility for male. 2-BP was investigated through 21 days of repeated dose in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The dose levels per body weight were 0 (control), 250,500 and 1,000 mg/kg. 2-BP dissolved in vehicle olive oil was injected into the intraperitoneum 6 times per week for 3 weeks, but 1,000 mg/kg dose group was 2 weeks because of serious illness. Male rats showed significant decreases in body weight and right and left testis showed typical weight losses depending on the 2-BP. The number of white blood cell and red blood cell , percentage of monocytes, and hemoglobin decreased significantly in high dose (P< 0.05). Red cell volume distribution width increased significantly in the high dose (P< 0.05). Histopathological findings of testes showed a decrease of spermatogenic cells, exfoliation of spermatid and spermatocyte, vacuolization of Sertoli cells and hyperplasia of Leydig cells. Protein band density between 113,000 dalton ($\beta$-galactosidase) and 53,900 dalton (ovalbumin) has decreased in 250 mg/kg dose group, but it has gradually increased to the higher density in 1,000 mg/kg dose group than in control group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1999

Objective: Heat shock protein 70-2 (Hsp70-2) gene knockout mice are found to have premeiotic arrest at the primary spermatocyte stage with a complete absence of spermatids and spermatozoa. This observation led to the hypothesis that hspA2 may be disrupted in human testes with abnormal spermatogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we studied the mRNA expression of hspA2 in infertile men with azoospermia. Design: The mRNA expression were analyzed by competitive RT-PCR among testes with normal spermatogenesis, pachytene spermatocyte arrest, and sertoli-cell only syndrome. Materials and methods: Testicular biopsy was performed in men with azoospermia (n=15). Specimens were subdivided into three groups: (group 1) normal spermatogenesis (n=5), (group 2) spermatocyte arrest (n=5), (group 3) Sertoli-cell only syndrome (n=5). Total RNA was extracted by Trizol reagent. Total extracted RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA and amplified by PCR using specific primers for hspA2 target cDNAs. A competitive cDNA fragment was constructed by deleting a defined fragment from the target cDNA sequence, and then coamplified with the target cDNA for competitive PCR. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene was used as an internal control. Results: On Competitive RT-PCR analyses for hspA2 mRNA, significant amount of hspA2 expression was observed in group 1, whereas a constitutively low level of hspA2 was expressed in groups 2 and 3. Conclusion(s): The study demonstrates that the hspA2 gene expression is down-regulated in human testes with abnormal spermatogenesis, which in turn suggests that hspA2 gene may play a specific role during meiosis in human testes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2007

The spermiogenesis of Crocidura shantungensis were studied by electron microscope. All process of spermiogenesis was divided into 11 phases 15 steps, based on the morphological features of the nucleus and cell organelles in cytoplasm of spermatids. The spermatids in Golgi and cap phases were a spherical shape. On the other hand, at the early acrosomal phase they changed into an oval shape, and the tail was created in this phase. In maturation phase, the shapes of spermatid head were thin and longish. Until step 7 the direction of spermatids head turned toward the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. From step 8 to step 15 their heads turned toward the basal lamina. In step 12, the nucleus and acrosome shown maximal elongation. From Step 13 the nucleus of spermatids became flat, simultaneously with flat expansion of the acrosome expanded, and the visible whole lengths of spermatids were tend to be shorten. Spermatid heading which arrived to step 14 was taken the final shape. The nucleus was doing the wedge shape, and the nuclear chromatins condensed completely and homogenized. In the spermiation phase, the spermatids were gradually disconnected from the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cell. In this phase, the acrosome of the spermatids were fully shorten and flat, and the spermatozoa completed the process of heading and the tailing. Considering all the results, the spermiogenesis may be useful information to analyze the differentiation of spermatogenic cells.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.435-445
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• 1990

Gonadotropin releasing horrnone (GnRH) is known to be extrahypothalamically localized with a broad range including gonad. It remains, however, unknown whether GnRH is locally synthesized in the gonad. The present srudy aims to identity expression and cellular localization of GnRH-Iike mRNA and immunoreactive GnRH in the rat gonad. GnRH radioimmunoassay and chromatographic extracts on G-50 sephadex column showed that rat gonadal extracts contained a substantial amount of immunoreactive GnRH similar to the hypothalamic and synthetic GnRH. Although a wide distribution of immunostainable GnRH-like molecule with different cell types in the rat ovary was observed, the major cell population hybridized with GnRH probe appears to be granulosa. theca cells and corpus luteum. Immunoreactive GnRH-Iike peptides were distributed m various regions of testis, including spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. In situ hybridization revealed that positive signals of GnRH-Iike mRNA were predominandy present in Sertoli cells within some seminiferous tubules, but absent in the outside of seminiferous tubules in the testis. This study clearly demonstrated that GnRH-Iike molecule present in the rat gonad may be resulted from the local synthetic machinery of GnRH supporting the notion that this peptide may act as autocrine and/or paracrine role in intra-gonadal communication.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 1997

This study was carried to determine the possibility of finding motile spermatozoa and fertilization, pregnancy rate after testicular sperm extraction(TESE) with ICSI in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients. In 154 cases(132 patients), obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases and non-obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases. In obstructive azoospermia, patients generally showed normal spermatogenesis and included vas agenesis(n=8), multiple vas obstruction(n=7), epididymal obstruction (n=54). Total of 982 retrieved oocytes were obtained and 84.4% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 72.5% and 62.3%, respectively. 30 pregnancies(38.9%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 22 cases (28.6%). In non-obstructive azoospermia, patients showed hypospermatogenesis(n=49), maturation arrest(n=4), Sertoli cell only syndrome (n=24). The various stages of spermatogenic cell could be retrieved by TESE and could be reached normal fertilization and embryo development with ICSI. Total of 1072 retrieved oocytes obtained and 80.2% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 52.8% and 68.9%, respectively. 22 pregnancies(30.1%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 19 cases(26.0%). Conclusively, the combination of TESE with ICSI using testicular spermatozoa can achieve normal fertilization and pregnancy rate and effective method in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-119
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• 2002

Early spermatocytes of U. unicinctus are found in cluster floating in the coelomic fluid. The spermatocytes in a cluster form a syncytium or cytoplasmic mass, but there are no indications that the cytoplasmic mass is a component of a somatic cell. This work suggested that this type of spermatogenesis can be subordinated to solitary spermatogenesis in the sense excluding structural and functional support of a somatic cell for sperm developments. The solitary spermatogenesis in U. unicinctus is different in appearances and developmental details of sperm organelles and stage distributions from that of localized spermatogenesis. The acrosomal rudiments and centrioles can be observed in the early single cells of spermatogonia and clearly disclosed in the primary spermatocyte. In the stage of secondary spermatocyte, the acrosomal precursor and the centrioles begin to move to each cytoplasmic poles. The polarities of the organelles are attained at stage of spermatids. The spermatocytes and spermatids are arranged circumferentially along the cytoplasmic mass in which some amorphological cytoplasmic components are included. The spermatids reveal to be detached from the cytoplasmic mass into coelomic fluid. It suggests that the spermatogenesis are progressed in support of coelomic fluid, and the fact take into consideration that the spermatogenic cells can be in vitro cultured without somatic cells and with supplements of coelomic fluid.