• 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.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 1998

This study was carried out to evaluate the testicular toxicity of 2-bromopropane (2-BP), which recently caused occupational intoxication on the reproductive and hematopoietic system in Koreans, using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. 10 weeks old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.5 g/㎏/day of 2-BP orally for 8 consecutive weeks. The testes of the rats were vascularly perfused with Karnovsky's solution or immersed in Bouin's solution, embedded in plastic and evaluated with light microscopy. And relative proportions of haploid, diploid, and tetra-ploid states of DNA ploidy in the testicular cell suspensions of the SD rats were examined by flow cytometry. 2-BP induced severe testicular atrophy, depletion and degeneration of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids and mild hyperplasia of Leydig cells without significant morphological changes. The Leydig cell hyperplasia was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The immunopositive cells against PCNA were observed in the nuclei oj some interstitial cells. Relative proportions of haploid states of DNA ploidy decreased in the atrophic testicular cell suspensions comparing with those of the control. In conclusion, 2-BP induced testicular atrophy with Leydig cell hyperplasia as examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and DNA flow cytometry.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effect of Bombycis corpus on reproductive dysfunction caused by aging. Methods: The experimental group was divided into three groups: a control group consisting of 8-week-old male ICR mice without any treatment, An aging-elicited group (AE group) consisting of 50-week-old ICR male mice without any treatment, and a Bombycis corpus treatment group (BC group) consisting of 50-week-old ICR male mice with treatment Bombycis corpus extract (0.78 g/kg/day) for 6 months. After 6 months, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of the testis were performed to investigate the effects of Bombycis corpus on the reproductive dysfunction caused by aging. Results: In the first step, Bombycis corpus increased spermatogenesis and distribution of sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule, increased BrdU positive reaction in the spermatogonium at the basal part of the seminiferous tubule, and decreased the apoptosis of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule. In addition, Bombycis corpus increased AR positive in Sertoli cells and $17{\beta}-HSD$ positive in leydig cells. Finally, Bombycis corpus decreased 8-OHdG positivite reaction in the spermatids of the seminiferous lumen, caspase-3 positivity in leydig cells, and HDAC1 positivite reaction in sertoli cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that Bombycis corpus increases spermatogenesis, decreases apoptosis of leydig cells and Sertoli cells, increases the production and action of testosterone in the testis, and inhibits DNA damages and DNA transcripts decrease in the testis, Thereby improving reproductive dysfunction caused by aging.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2003

목적: 오가피가 mouse testis에서 유래된 Leydig 세포주에서 에탄올에 의해 유발된 아폽토시스에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 방법: TM3 세포주에서의 아폽토시스 변화를 관찰하기 위해서 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), DNA fragmentation assay, 및 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 방법을 이용하였다. 결과: MTT assay를 이용하여 분석한 결과 농도에 따른 세포독성의 효과가 에탄올 투여부터 관찰되었다. 또한 오가피로 전처치하고 에탄올을 처치하였을 때 세포독성이 크게 감소되었다. DAPI staining에서 오가피 투여군은 에탄올 투여군에 비해서 fragmentation이 억제되었다. RT-PCR의 분석에 의하여 caspase-3 mRNA 발현이 오가피 투여군은 알코올 투여군보다 유의성있게 억제됨을 보여주었다. 결론: TM3 Leydig 세포주에서 에탄올에 의해 유발된 아폽토시스는 전형적인 세포사멸 형태를 나타내었다. 반면에 오가피 투여군은 에탄올에 의해서 유발된 아폽토시스에서 세포보호 효과가 있음이 확인되었다.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2005

Morphometric changes in testicular Sertoli and Leydig cells from hatching to adulthood were studied using Korean native chickens of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 44, 52 and 64 weeks (n=13 chickens per group) of age. The objective of this study was to understand the developmental phase of the Sertoli and Leydig cells with age. Testis of chickens was fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing $2.5\%$ glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using 1 Um sections stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative (stereological) morphological studies were performed. The average volume of a testis of 1 week old Korean native chickens was determined as $0.148\;cm^3$ and the parameter increased linearly from 1 week to 21 weeks days $(28.86\;cm^3)$, and did not change from 21 weeks to 64 weeks. The volume density of the seminiferous tubules increased with age from $32.6\%$ at week 1 to $92.89\%$ at week 64. The volume density of the interstitium represents $67.4\%$ of the testicular parenchyma at week 1. This proportion progressively diminished during development to reach a value of $7.11\%$ at week 64. The volume density of the Leydig cells decreased almost linearly from 1 week $(4.9\%)$ to 14 weeks $(1.7\%)$ and remained unchanged thereafter. In contrast, the Sertoli cells occupied a volume density of $3.4\%$ at week 1, increased progressively up to 18 weeks of age $(10.79\%)$ and remained unchanged thereafter. The absolute volume of the Leydig and Sertoli cells per testis increased significantly from week 1 to week 21 but did not change significantly from week 24 to week 64. The number of Leydig cells per testis increased almost linearly from 1 week to 21 weeks, remained high and unchanged with advancing age. The number of Sertoli cells per testis increased gradually with age from 1 week to 14 weeks and remained unchanged thereafter.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2009

Cadmium (Cd) is known to exert gonadotoxic and spermiotoxic effects. The present study was performed to investigate the morphological effects and metallothionein (MT) expression by zinc pretreatment in the course of time of cadmium-induced testicular injury in rat. Fifty male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 160~180 g were divided into two groups : saline-pretreated cadmium group and zinc-pretreated cadmium group. Rats of two groups received subcutaneous injection of saline and 100 mg/kg $ZnSO_4$ at 0, 2, 5 and 8 hrs intervals respectively. Cadmium chloride (4.5 mg/kg $CdCl_2$) was administrated intraperitoneally at 2 hrs after zinc injection and rats were killed 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs later. Testicular tissue damages, interstitial (Leydig) cells status and MT expression were determined using hematoxylin-eosin stained sections and a computerized image analysis system on sections immunostained with a mouse anti-metallothionein respectively. Zinc pretreatment was significantly reduced testicular damages in five pathological categories after cadmium administation. The number of surviving interstitial cells was significantly higher in the zinc-pretreated group than in the saline-preatreated group at 48 and 72 hrs after cadmium administration. Non-damaged testis showed the positivity of MT staining in spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and endothelium of blood vessel, but not in the Leydig cells. The positivity of MT staining in saline-pretreated group was significantly reduced at 24 hrs after cadmium administration, whereas zinc-pretreated group showed strong MT positive staining similar to the 0 hr by 42 hrs after cadmium administration. In damaged testis, MT positive staining was also observed in the Leydig cells of both groups. These results suggest that a major preventive effect of zinc against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity may be due to its ability to reduce the cytotoxicity of cadmium in spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells by inhibiting the susceptibility of the testis to cadmium but not MT production by cadmium.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.136-148
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• 2010

Cadmium (Cd) is known to exert gonadotoxic and spermiotoxic effects. The present study was performed to investigate the morphological effects and metallothionein (MT) expression by zinc pretreatment in the course of time of cadmium-induced testicular injury in rat. Fifty male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 160-180 g were divided into two groups: saline-pretreated cadmium group and zinc-pretreated cadmium group. Rats of two groups received subcutaneous injection of saline and 100 mg/kg $ZnSO_4$ at 0, 2, 5 and 8 hrs intervals respectively. Cadmium chloride (4.5 mg/kg $CdCl_2$) was administrated intraperitoneally at 2 hr after zinc injection and rats were killed 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs later. Testicular tissue damages, Interstitial (Leydig) cells status and MT expression were determined using hematoxylin-eosin stained sections and a computerized image analysis system on sections immunostained with a mouse anti-metallothionein respectively. Zinc pretreatment was significantly reduced testicular damages in five pathological categories after cadmium administation. The number of surviving interstitial cells was significantly higher in the zinc-pretreated group than in the saline-preatreated group at 48 and 72 hrs after cadmium administration. Non-damaged testis showed the positivity of MT staining in spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and endothelium of blood vessel, but not in the Leydig cells. The potitivity of MT staining in saline-pretreated group was significantly reduced at 24 hrs after cadmium administration, whereas zinc-pretreated group showed strong MT positive staining similar to the 0 hr by 42 hrs after cadmium administration. In damaged testis, MT positive staining was also observed in the Leydig cells of both groups. These results suggest a major preventive effect of zinc against cadmium-induced testiculat toxicity may be due to its ability to reduce the cytotoxicity of cadmium in spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells by inhibiting the susceptibility of the testis to cadmium but not MT production by cadmium.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2004

This study was performed to examine the cytotoxic effects of nicotine on the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in mice testis. A different amount of nicotine (2～15 mg/kg, for two weeks, one dose of 100 mg/kg) were administered to four-month male mice, and then the optical microscopic findings of its effect on testis of the mice are as follows: 1. The group that 2 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed normal findings that nucleus and cytoplasm of Leydig cells are distinct, while the other group that 5 mg/kg of nicotine was given to showed nucleus and cytoplasm are swollen and thickened a little, and slightly dyed. 2. The group that 10 mg/kg of nicotine was given had irregular arrangement of spermatogenesis inside seminiferous tubules so it was impossible to distinguish phages of seminiferous tubules. It was also impossible to observe cells due to fusion of their nucleuses, and distinct cytoplasm. 3. The group that 15 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed destruction of nucleuses and cytoplasm of spermatocytes and sperms and a fill of fibered connective tissues so that it is impossible to observe rumens of seminiferous tubules.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1039-1045
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• 2014

This study analyzed whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces ER stress via the IRE/XBP1 pathway in mouse Leydig tumor (mLTC-1) cells. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the unfolding protein response (UPR) plays an important role in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes by modulating the ATF6 pathway, as well as ER stress-mediated apoptosis in hCG-stimulated Leydig cells. Although UPR signaling has been reported to regulate the IRE1/XBP1 pathway, it is not known whether hCG-induced ER stress in Leydig cells can activate the pathway. To investigate the activation of the IRE1/XBP1 pathway in mLTC-1 cells after hCG treatment, we performed a Western blot analysis to detect the phospho-IRE1 protein and an RT-PCR analysis to validate splicing of XBP1 mRNA. We used ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) constructs for monitoring the activity of IRE1 and then analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression levels of the phospho-IRE1 protein markedly increased in response to the hCG treatment. In the mLTC-1 cells transfected with an F-XBP1-venus/F-$XBP1{\Delta}DBD$-venus construct, the hCG treatment led to the appearance of green fluorescent cells and detectable fluorescence in the nucleus and cytosol, respectively. In addition, splicing of XBP1 mRNA significantly increased after the hCG treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that hCG-induced ER stress leads to activation of the IRE1/XBP pathway in Leydig cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2008

Bisphenol A bis (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether ($BADGE.2H_2O$) is a component of commercial liquid epoxy resins commonly used in the food-packing industry and in dental sealants. There is evidence that it has significant estrogenic activity. Nur77 plays a crucial role in the regulation of certain genes involved in LH-mediated steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells. It was previously demonstrated that Bisphenol A (BPA) stimulates Nur77 gene induction and steroidogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of $BADGE.2H_2O$ on Nur77 gene expression and steroidogenesis. Northern blot analysis showed that it increased the expression of Nur77 mRNA and protein, and transient transfection assays demonstrated that it increased the promoter activity and transactivation of Nur77. It also increased the expression of certain steroidogenic genes, such as StAR and $3{\beta}$-HSD. Finally, over-expression of a dominant negative Nur77 cDNA via adenoviral infection reduced $BADGE.2H_2O$-mediated progesterone biosynthesis. These results indicate that $BADGE.2H_2O$ disrupts testicular steroidogenesis by increasing Nur77 gene expression.