• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2010

Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, has been reported to decrease testicular function by causing apoptosis in the testis, but this mechanism is not fully understood. Thus, in this study we examined whether TBT induces adipogenesis of the Leydig cells to find out the correlation between adipogenesis and apoptosis in the testis. Three week old SD male rats were orally administrated with sesame oil, 1 mg/kg of TBT, or 10 mg/kg of TBT daily for 1 week and weighed after administration. The testes obtained on day 8 were weighed and stained with BODIPY and TUNEL kit. Using total RNA extracted from the isolated Leydig cells, adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by real-time PCR. The testicular weights of the rats treated with 10 mg/kg TBT were significantly decreased compared to those in the control rats treated with sesame oil. As a result of BODIPY staining, the number of Leydig cells stained with BODIPY was increased in the rats treated with 10 mg/kg TBT compared with the control rats. Similar to BODIPY staining results, the TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis of Leydig cells was increased in TBT treated rats. The results of the gene expression analysis in the Leydig cells showed that the expression of adipogenesis-related genes (PPAR${\gamma}$, aP2, Perilipin, CD36) and apoptosis-related genes (TNFRSF1A, TNFSF10) was increased after TBT administration. The present study demonstrates that TBT induces the expression of adipogenesis-related and apoptosis-related genes in the Leydig cells leading to adipogenesis and apoptosis in the testes. These results suggest that the dysfunction of Leydig cells by TBT exposure may cause a loss in testicular function.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2013

Golden hamsters reproduce in a limited time of a year. Their sexual activities are active in summer but inactive in winter during which day length does not exceed night time and environmental conditions are severe to them. The reproductive activities are determined by the length of light in a day (photoperiod). Melatonin is synthesized and secreted only at night time from the pineal gland. Duration of elevated melatonin is longer in winter than summer, resulting in gonadal regression. The present study aimed at the influences of continuous melatonin treatments impinging on the gonadal function in male golden hamsters. Animals received empty or melatonin-filled capsules for 10 weeks. They were divided into long photoperiod (LP) and short photoperiod (SP). All the animals maintained in LP (either empty or melatonin-filled capsules) showed large testes, implying that melatonin had no effects on testicular functions. Animals housed in SP displayed completely regressed testes. But animals kept in SP and implanted with melatonin capsules exhibited blockage of full regression by SP. These results suggest that constant release of melatonin prohibits the regressing influence of SP.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1991

Responsiveness of the testis to pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) was studied in immature Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls. Four month old bull calves weighing between 66 to 100 kg raised under uniform condition, were treated with 1000 IU PMSG or vehicle, daily, for six days. PMSG induced an increase in the size of the testis, enlargement of the seminiferous tubules and activation of the spermatogonia. The number of differentiated Leydig cells in the testis of gonadotropin treated animals increased considerably over that of the control testes. A significant increase in plasma testosterone concentrations was observed 24 h following the first injection of PMSG and the levels continued to increase until day 6. In vehicle treated animals plasma testosterone levels remained more or less at pretreatment values. The data suggest that buffalo bull testis is functionally responsive to gonadotropin at an early stage of prepubertal development.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.526-537
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• 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide and its eradication is mandatory. Direct acting HCV polymerase inhibitors, such as Sofosbuvir (SOF), is an effective regimen. However, it has some side effects like mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and the impairment of testicular function. It is important to evaluate the safety of SOF on the ovary, as there are no studies yet. Increasing the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), causes oxidative stress, which affects ovulation process, female reproduction, and fertility. Accumulation of SOF in the cells was demonstrated to promote ROS generation. Vitamin E (Vit E) is an antioxidant agent that has an essential role in the female reproductive system, its deficiency can cause infertility. We explored the effect of SOF treatment alone and co-treated with Vit E on ovarian ROS level and ovarian morphology experimentally using biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Significant changes in oxidative stress markers; nitric oxide and malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes; catalase, super oxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione, proliferating markers; proliferation cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 antigen and caspase 3 apoptotic marker were demonstrated. It was shown that where SOF induced oxidative stress, it also aggravated ovarian dysfunction. The essential role of Vit E as an antioxidant agent in protecting the ovarian tissue from the effect of oxidative stress markers and preserving its function was also displayed. This could be guidance to add Vit E supplements to SOF regimens to limit its injurious effect on ovarian function.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-101
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• 1996

Exposure indices are important tools which enable scientists to reliably predict and detect exposures to xenobiotics and resultant cell injury. Since the de novo synthesis of stress proteins can be detected early after exposure to some agents, analysis of toxicant-induced changes in gene expression, i.e. alterations in patterns of protein synthesis, may be useful to develop as biomarkers of exposure and toxicity. The acute and chronic effects of cadmium(Cd, $CdCl_2$ 20 mg/kg) on Wistar male rats were evaluated concerning cadmium contents, tissues enzyme activity, HSP expression. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Less cadmium was absorbed through the digestive tracts, but the ratio of contents in renal to hepatic cadmium was higher at 8 weeks after treatment. 2. ALT(alanine aminotransferase), AST(aspartate aminotransferase), glucose, BUN(blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, the key indices of the clinical changes in hepatic and renal function were significantly changed by the cadmium treatment after 1 week in liver, after 4 weeks in kidney. 3. Enhanced synthesis of 70 KDa relative molecular mass proteins were detected in 2 hours after cadmium exposure, with maximum activity occurring at 8~48 hours. Induction of $HSP_{70}$ was evident at proximal tubules and glomeruli in kidney. Testicular cells produced enough HSP to be detected normally. From the above results, it could be concluded that $HSP_{70}$ induction by the cadmium treatment was a rapid reaction to indicate the exposure of xenobiotics.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2022

Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit, a marker found on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), is expressed in Leydig cells, which are testicular interstitial cells. The expression of other ICC markers has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the expression of c-Kit and anoctamin 1 (ANO1), another ICC marker, in mouse testes. In addition, the relationship between c-Kit and ANO1 expression and Leydig cell function was investigated. We observed that c-Kit and ANO1 were predominantly expressed in mouse Leydig cells. The mRNA and protein of c-Kit and ANO1 were expressed in TM3, a mouse Leydig cell line. LH induced an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, membrane depolarization, and testosterone secretion, whereas these signals were inhibited in the presence of c-Kit and ANO1 inhibitors. These results show that c-Kit and ANO1 are expressed in Leydig cells and are involved in testosterone secretion. Our findings suggest that Leydig cells may act as ICCs in testosterone secretion.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2015

Iron is required for cell viability but is toxic in excess. While the iron-mediated malfunction of testicular cells is well appreciated, the underlying mechanism(s) of this effect and its relationship with fertility are poorly understood. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that controls iron storage, ferroxidase activity, immune response, and stress response in cells. Ferritin light chain protein (FTL) is the light subunit of the Ferritin. Previously, we had identified the FTL in bovine spermatozoa following capacitation. In present study, to investigate the role of Ferritin in sperm function, mice spermatozoa were incubated with multiple doses (1, 10 and $100{\mu}M$) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an iron donor. SNP was increased Ferritin levels in a dose-dependent manner. The Ferritin was detected on the acrosome in spermatozoa by immunocytochemistry. Short-term exposure of spermatozoa to SNP increased tyrosine phosphorylation and the acrosome reaction (AR). Finally, SNP affected a significant decrease in the rate of fertilization as well as blastocyst formation during early embryonic development. On the basis of these results, we propose that the effects of Ferritin on the AR may reduce overall sperm function leads to poor fertility in males and compromised embryonic development.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.78-93
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• 1990

The ultrastructure of epididymal epithelium of 10, 20, 35 and 80 day-old mouse was observed to study the differentiation and function of the epithelial cells in connection with the absorption and secretion during sexual matruation. The differentiation of epididymis was divided into three phases of, 1) undiflerentiated phase until the day 20 after birth, 2) growing and differentiating phase between the day 20 and 35, and 3) maturating phase up to the adult. Each phase was closely related with the lumination of seminiferous tubule and the influx of spermatozoa within testicular fluid from testis. In adult, the ultrastructural features appeared an absorptive function in the principal cells of proximal caput epididymis, and a strong activity of protein synthesis and secretion in distal caput, corpus and cauda epididymis. Clear cells were predominantly located in corpus and cauda epidiymis, and plenty of absorption vesicles including membranous particles assumed to be the cellular residues from spermatozoa were observed at apical region. Therefore, the distribution of various cell types of epithelium and the ultrastructure even in the same type of epithelial cell, were different according to the epididymal regions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.510-522
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• 2008

Our earlier studies showed that estrogen was involved in the regulation of fluid reabsorption in adult mouse efferent ductules (ED), through estrogen receptor (ER) ${\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ by modulating gene expression of epithelial genes involved in ion homeostasis. However, little is known about the importance of $ER{\alpha}$ in the ED during postnatal development. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that there should be a difference in the expression of epithelial ion transporters and anion producers in the ED of postnatal wild type (WT) and estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$ knockout (${\alpha}ERKO$) mice. Using absolute, comparative and semi-quantitative RT-PCR along with immunohistochemistry, we looked at expression levels of several genes in the ED across postnatal development. The presence of estrogen in the testicular fluid was indirectly ascertained by immunohistochemical detection of the P450 aromatase in the testis. There was no immunohistochemically detectable difference in the expression of P450 aromatase in the testes and ER${\beta}$ in the ED of WT and ${\alpha}$ERKO mice. ER${\alpha}$ was only detected in the ED of WT mice. The absence of ER${\alpha}$ in the ED of postnatally developing mice resulted in differential expression of mRNAs and/or proteins for carbonic anhydrase II, $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger 3, down-regulated in adenoma, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, and $Na^+/K^+$ ATPase ${\alpha}$. Our data indicate that the absence of ER${\alpha}$ resulted in altered expression of an epithelial ion producer and transporters during postnatal development of mice. We conclude that the presence of ER${\alpha}$is important for regulation of the ED function during the prepubertal developmental and postpubertal period.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.308-312
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• 2003

Various pesticides known or suspected to interfere with steroid hormone function were screened toy effects in leydig cells on catalytic activity and mRNA expression of aromatase. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a widespread environmental pollutant. In this study, we investigated the effect of DDT on testosterone production through aromatase activity and its molecular mechanism in testicular leydig cell, R2C by using radioimmunoassay (RIA). As the results, the potent leydig: cell activator LH increased testosterone production compared to the control. DDT exposure significantly decreased testosterone production in R2C cell. In addition, DDT was found to increase aromatase gene expression and activity in R2C cell in a dose dependent manner. In order to assess whether the suppressive effects of DDT on LH-inducible testosterone (T) production might be influenced by the ER, ICI 182.780 was used, and it was found that these inhibitory effects of DDT were antagonized by ICI 182.780, implying that the estrogen receptor (ER) mediates the suppressive effects of DDT. Furthermore, the inducible effects of DDT on aromatase gene expression might be influenced by the ER, ICI 182.780 was used, and it was found that these enhancing effects of DDT were antagonized by ICI 182.780, implying that the ER mediates the inducible effects of DDT. Our results indicated that DDT inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) -inducible T production in R2C cell is mediated through aromatase. However, the precise mechanisms by which DDT enhance in R2C cell remains unknown. The current study suggests the possibility that DDT might act as a modulator aromatase gene transcription.