• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2001

Nek2 is a mammalian protein kinase that is structurally homologous to NIMA, a mitotic regulator in Aspergillus nidulans. To understand cellular processes in which Nek2 participates during mammalian development, we investigated the expression and subcellular localization of Nek2 in vivo. The Nek2 protein was detected in spermatocytes and in a fraction of actively dividing ovarian follicle cells and of embryonic tissues. We also observed that Nek2 was localized in both the nucleus and centrosome in embryonic cells. Such localization pattern supports the proposal that Nek2 is a mitotic regulator that is involved in multiple cell cycle events during mammalian development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2011

Recently, a significant understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating spermatogenesis has been achieved utilizing small RNA molecules (small RNAs), including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional or translation level. piRNAs are only present in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, whereas miRNAs are expressed abundantly in male germ cells throughout spermatogenesis. This review is aimed at providing a glimpse of piRNAs and their interacting family proteins such as PIWIL1, PIWIL2, and PIWIL4 in spermatogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2006

Ultrastructure of germ cells, the cyst epithelial cells and interstitial cells during spermatogenesis of the stone flounder, Kareius bicoloratus (Pleuronectidae) sampled on the west coast of Korea were investigated by electron microscopic observations. In the primary spermatocyte, the synaptonemal complexes appear in the zygotene stage of the prophase during maturation division. In the growing testis, especially, the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) appear near the primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Well-developed interstitial cells (steroid hormone secreting cells) which are located in the interlobular space in growing testis have three morphological characteristics of a vesicular nucleus, mitochondria with tubular cristae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. During spermatogenesis, the primary and secondary spermatocytes attach to the cyst epithelial cell (Sertoli cell) having an elongated ovoid or triangular nucleus and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm. In the growing testis, lipid droplets, the mitochondrial rosettes and glycogen particles appear in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells near the secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Particularly, the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, little lipid droplets and the large amount of glycogen particles are present in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cell in the late growing testis. In the late stage of spermiogenesis, the proximal centriole is joined to the nuclear envelope, the distal centriole forms the basal body of the flagellum and gives rise to the axial filament of the flagellum. No acrosome of the sperm is formed as seen in other teleost fish. The head of the spermatozoon is approximately $3{\mu}m$ in length and its tail is about $30{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum of the spermatozoon consists of nine outer doublet microtubules at the periphery and two centrial singlet microtubules at the center. The spermatozoon of this species has two axonemal lateral fins. Especially, the cyst epithelial cells which located near groups of gametes in the various stages, show three functions: nutrition, phagocytosis and steroidogenesis. Especially, the nuclei of cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages appear to be irregular in shape after spermiation. Of three functions of the cyst epithelial cell, several characteristics of phagocytosis are showed in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages. At this stage, therefore, it is assumed that the cyst epithelial cells are involved in degeneration and resorption of undischarged germ cells after spermiation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.361-371
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• 2000

It has been recently reported that 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induces male reproductive toxicity in both human and experimental animals. However, delayed effects of 2-BP on male reproductive system have not been investigated in detail. The present study was conducted to investigate the testicular toxicity of 2-BP and to determine the recovery of normal spermatogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats aged 5 weeks were administered 1,000mg/kg 2-BP by gavage daily for 4 weeks and sacrificed sequentially at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of 2-BP treatment. Testicular toxicity was evaluated qualitatively by histopathological examinations and quantitatively by reproductive organ weights, spermatid head count, and repopulation index. In the 2-BP treated rats, the body weights was significantly suppressed and the weights of testes and epididymides were also decreased in a time-dependent manner. On histopathological examination, spermatogonia in stages I-VI and preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes in stages VII-IX were strongly depleted at 1 week of dosing. Spermatogonia were depleted extensively in all spermatogenic stages at 2 weeks. Continuing with the evolution of spermatogenic cycle, zygotene spermatocytes, pachytene spermatocytes, and round spermatids were sequentially depleted at 2, 3, and 4 weeks of dosing due to the depletion of their precursor cells. Vacuolization of Sertoli cells and spermatid retention were also observed at all time points, suggesting that 2-BP induced Sertoli cell dysfunction. At 12 weeks, after 8 weeks recovery, most of the tubules appeared severely atrophic and were lined by Sertoli cells only. Leydig cell hyperplasia in the interstitial tissue was also found. In addition, dramatic reductions in the number of spermatid heads and repopulation index were observed, indicating that 2-BP-induced testicular injury is irreversible. These results indicate that 4 weeks repeated-dose of 1,000mg/kg 2-BP results in a progressive germ cell loss due to the depletion of spermatogonia followed by long-term testicular atrophy in SD rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1554-1561
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• 2014

Present study analyzed the changes in peripheral blood testosterone concentrations and testicular cytogram in relation to age and semen quality in crossbred males. Three different age groups of crossbred males viz. bull calves (6 months, n = 5), young bulls (15 months, n = 5) and adult bulls (4 to 6 years, n = 8) were utilized for the study. Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology technique was used to quantify testicular cytology and their indices. Peripheral blood testosterone concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Semen samples collected from adult bulls were microscopically evaluated for quality parameters. Mean peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves, young bulls and adult bulls were $2.28{\pm}0.09ng/mL$, $1.42{\pm}0.22ng/mL$ and $5.66{\pm}1.08ng/mL$ respectively, and that in adult bulls were significantly different (p<0.01) from young bulls and bull calves. There was no significant difference between the proportion of different testicular cells in bull calves and young bulls. Between young and adult bulls, significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in the proportion of spermatocytes, spermatozoa, and sperm: Sertoli cell ratio. The proportions of Sertoli cells showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between the three age groups. The number of primary spermatocytes had a positive correlation with peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves (r = 0.719, p<0.01). Number of Sertoli cells per 100 germ cells was negatively correlated with blood testosterone concentration in young bulls (r = -0.713, p<0.01). Among different semen parameters in adult bulls, ejaculate volume (r = 0.790, p<0.05) had positive relationship, and sperm motility had significant negative correlation (r = -0.711, p<0.05) with testosterone concentrations. The number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index had a positive correlation with various semen quality parameters (p<0.001). Results of the present study conclude that number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index are good indicators of semen quality, but peripheral blood testosterone concentrations may not have a direct relationship with various seminal attributes in crossbred bulls.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.135-144
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• 1980

The reproductive cycle and the breeding season of the freshwater clam, Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana (Lea) have been investigated by histological examination of the gonadal development under photomicroscopy. The materials were monthly collected from the Nakdong River for one year from September 1979 to August 1980. Sexuality of Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana is dioecious, and the species are ovoviviparous. The gonads are irregularly arranged from the subregion of mid-intestinal gland in visceral cavity to reticular connective tissue of foot. The ovary is composed of a number of small ovarian sacs, The epithelium of ovarian sac has a function of the germinal epithelium. Oogonia actively proliferate along the germinal epithelium of the ovarian sac, in which young oocytes are growing. The testis is composed of a number of seminiferous tubules, and the epithelium of the tubule has function of germinal epithelium, along which spermatogonia actively proliferate. A great number of undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and eosinophilic granular cells are abundantly distributed between the growing oocytes and spermatocytes in the early development stages. With the further development of the ovary and testis these tissues and cells gradually disappear. Then the undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and granular cells are considered to be related to the growing of the oocytes and spermatocytes. The gonads had function year-round the individuals which have various developmental stages of gonads appearing all the time. Spawning continued year-round except for the period of high temperature of water, during August and September. The peak spawning seasons appeared twice a year between January and March, and between June and July in 1980. Individuals which have trochophore larvae in the marsupium of the adult appeared year-round except September 1579 and August 1980. The rate of individuals which have glochidia in the marsupium was 72.7 percent in May 1980 which was the highest brooding fate.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.197-208
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• 1986

This experiment was conducted to find out the effects of the six different feeding methods on the development of body weight, testis, comb and pituitary gland, and the sexual maturity of White Plymouth Rock cockerels. From hatching to 22 weeks of age, the weights of whole body, testis, comb and pituitary gland, and the histological changes of testis and the semen characteristics were checked every other week. The results obtained in this expeniment were as follows: 1. The growth rates of the self-feeding groups were faster than those of the limited feeding groups (70 percent of the self-feeding) by about 2 weeks. The weights of testis and comb showed the most marked increase at 20 weeks of age in the self-feeding groups and at 22 weeks of age in the limited feeding groups, respectively. 2. The weights of pituitary gland from hatching to 22 weeks of age at all observation weeks were not recognised significantly among the compared groups except 4, 14 and 16 weeks of age. 3. Correlations between week of age, body weight, testis, comb and pituitary gland, in the course of 22 weeks, were highly significant. 4. The diameters of lumina and tubules in the seminiferous tubules increased very slowly until 10 weeks of age. They showed the most marked increase at 12 weeks of age in the self-feeding groups and at 14 weeks of age in the limited feeding groups, and then continuously increased until 32 weeks of. age. 5. Primary spermatocytes appeared at first at 8 weeks in the all treatment groups, Secondary spermatocytes appeared at first at 10 weeks in the self-feeding groups and at 12 weeks in the limited feeding groups. At 14 weeks of age spermatids and spermatozoa were found at first in the self-feeding groups but spermatids were found in the limited feeding groups. 6. Age of the first ejaculation was between 14 and 16 weeks of age in the all treatment groups. The Average semen. volume and sperm concentration ranged from 0.1-0.2$m\ell$/ ejaculate and 5.6-9.8${\times}$10$\^$8/ sperm/$m\ell$ at the age of the first ejaculation but 0.30-0.35$m\ell$/ ejaculate and 22.4-42.7${\times}$10$\^$8/ sperm int at the 20 weeks of age in the all treatment groups.

• 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 2013

Lung fluke, Paragonimus heterotremus, is a flatworm causing pulmonary paragonimiasis in cats, dogs, and humans in Southeast Asia. We examined the ultrastructure of the testis of adult P. heterotremus with special attention to spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The full sequence of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, from the capsular basal lamina to the luminal surface, was demonstrated. The sequence comprises spermatogonia, spermatocytes with obvious nuclear synaptonemal complexes, spermatids, and eventual spermatozoa. Moreover, full steps of spermatid differentiation were shown which consisted of 1) early stage, 2) differentiation stage representing the flagella, intercentriolar body, basal body, striated rootlets, and electron dense nucleus of thread-like lamellar configuration, and 3) growing spermatid flagella. Detailed ultrastructure of 2 different types of spermatozoa was also shown in this study.