Ablation of the Inferior Mesenteric Plexus in the Rat: Alteration of Sperm Storage in the Epididymis and Vas Deferens

Billups, Kevin L.; Tillman, Shelly; Chang, Thomas S.

doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)40043-7

Cited by 70 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…An accelerated sperm transit time through the epididymis can harm fertility while the delayed sperm transit time is not necessarily associated to an alteration of the reproductive ability of the gametes (Billups et al, 1991;Kempinas et al, 1998a,b). Although the D100 rats have shown altered sperm transit time, as formerly mentioned, the carnitine-doxorubicin-treated rats showed normal values in various sperm parameters, including the caput/corpus sperm transit time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carnitine partially protects the rat testis against the late damage produced by doxorubicin administered during pre‐puberty

et al. 2014

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SUMMARYDoxorubicin, an anticancer drug, is widely included in chemotherapy protocols to combat childhood cancer. Carnitine, an important quaternary amine, is present in testis and epididymis and is involved in sperm maturation; it has been used in infertility treatment. In a previous study, our group observed that L-carnitine given before etoposide, another chemotherapeutic drug, reduces the spermatogenic damage and protects germ cells against apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate the antiapoptotic and cytoprotective actions of L-carnitine in long-and mid-term basis, on the seminiferous epithelium of doxorubicin-treated pre-pubertal rats. Fortyeight 30-day-old male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: sham-control; doxorubicin; carnitine; carnitine/doxorubicin (L-carnitine injected 1 h before doxorubicin). The rats were submitted to euthanasia at 64 and 100 days of age and their testes were collected for biometric, morphometric, and histopathological analyses. The numerical density of apoptotic germ cells was obtained (TUNEL method). In adult phase (100 days), the following spermatic parameters were analyzed: mature spermatid (19 step) count and sperm daily production per testis; sperm number and transit time through the epididymal caput/corpus and cauda; frequency of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa (from epididymal fluid), as well as sperm DNA integrity (Comet assay). The testicular and spermatic parameters at both ages were improved in rats treated with carnitine before doxorubicin. At 64 days, the TUNEL-positive germ cell frequency was lower in the carnitine/doxorubicin-treated rats comparatively to the doxorubicin-treated rats. At 100 days of age, the sperm DNA fragmentation was also lower in the previously carnitine-treated rats, as evidenced by the analysis of three parameters. Carnitine reduced the late testicular and spermatic damages caused by doxorubicin, probably providing a partial cytoprotection against the deleterious action of doxorubicin administration to pre-pubertal rats. However, further studies shall be undertaken to investigate the protective mechanisms involved in such germ cell preservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carnitine partially protects the rat testis against the late damage produced by doxorubicin administered during pre‐puberty

et al. 2014

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“…Billups et al 193 demonstrated in a sympathectomised rat model decreased epididy-mal sperm motility as well as disordered epididymal spermatozoa storage. 194 Huang et al 195 performed SCL in a rat model to examine acute changes in spermatogenesis. Dierent groups of rats were sacri®ced at various times after SCL.…”

Section: ± 168mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual function in spinal cord lesioned men

2001

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Study design: Review of literature. Objective: To review the physical aspects related to penile erection, ejaculatory dysfunction, semen characteristics, and techniques for enhancement of fertility in spinal cord lesioned (SCL) men. Setting: Worldwide: individuals with traumatic as well as non-traumatic SCL. Results: Recommendations for management of erectile dysfunction in SCL men: If it is possible to obtain a satisfactory erection but of insucient duration, then try to use a venous constrictor band to ®nd out if this is sucient to maintain the erection. Otherwise we recommend Sildena®l. If Sildena®l is not satisfactory then use intracavernous injection with prostaglandin E 1 (some SCL men may prefer cutaneous or intraurethral application). We discourage the implantation of penile prosthesis for the sole purpose of erection. Recommendations for management of ejaculatory dysfunction in SCL men: Penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) to induce ejaculation is recommended as ®rst treatment choice. If PVS fails, SCL men should be referred for electroejaculation (EEJ). Semen characteristics: Impaired semen pro®les with low motility rates are seen in the majority of SCL men. Recently reported data gives evidence of a decline in spermatogenesis and motility of ejaculated spermatozoa shortly after (few weeks) an acute SCL. It is suggested that some factors in the seminal plasma and/or disordered storage of spermatozoa in the seminal vesicles are mainly responsible for the impaired semen pro®les in men with chronic SCL. Fertility: Home insemination with semen obtained by PVS and introduced intravaginally in order to achieve successful pregnancies may be an option for some SCL men and their partners. The majority of SCL men will further enhance their fertility potential when using either PVS or EEJ combined with assisted reproduction techniques such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 455 ± 470

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“…These data suggest that alpha-blocker induces the increase in velocity of tubular fluid flow and short epididymal transit time and subsequently elicits the increase in accumulation of cauda epididymal sperm numbers. Billups et al (1990a). investigated the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the transport and storage of spermatozoa in the rat reproductive tract by surgically ablating the inferior mesenteric plexus which provides adrenergic innervation to the epididymis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…investigated the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the transport and storage of spermatozoa in the rat reproductive tract by surgically ablating the inferior mesenteric plexus which provides adrenergic innervation to the epididymis. Ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus resulted in a sustained increase in the number of epididymal spermatozoa without apparent effects on testicular weight, sperm production or testosterone production (Billups et al 1990a). They interpret the increase in epididymal sperm numbers following ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus as that the loss of tubular sympathetic tone may, in part, induce the alteration of the rate of sperm transport through the epididymis and subsequently elicit the increase in cauda epididymal sperm numbers (Billups et al 1990a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus resulted in a sustained increase in the number of epididymal spermatozoa without apparent effects on testicular weight, sperm production or testosterone production (Billups et al 1990a). They interpret the increase in epididymal sperm numbers following ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus as that the loss of tubular sympathetic tone may, in part, induce the alteration of the rate of sperm transport through the epididymis and subsequently elicit the increase in cauda epididymal sperm numbers (Billups et al 1990a). Blockage of the alpha-adrenoceptor, which means chemical sympathectomy, seems to have an effect similar to ablating the inferior mesenteric plexus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of Alpha-Blocker on Daily Testicular Sperm Production and Sperm Concentration, Motility, Intraluminal Pressure and Fluid Movement in the Rat Epididymis.

Yamamoto

Hibi²,

Miyake³

1995

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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This study was undertaken to investigate whether alphablocker has an effect on daily testicular sperm production and epididymal sperm parameters, intraluminal pressure and fluid movement in the rat cauda epididymal tubules. Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily oral doses 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg of Bunazosin, which was a selective alpha-Blocker, for three months. Intraluminal fluids were collected from the cauda epididymidis using a micropuncture technique. Sperm concentration was determined with a sperm concentration microassay. Motility estimates were made by measurements of linear distance traveled by sperm in the diluent. Epididymal intraluminal pressure was measured through a micropunctured pipette connected to a micropressure transducer. Intraluminal fluid movement was examined by measurement of the distance which Sudan Black stained mineral oil moved along the epididymal tubules. Outside diameters of seminiferous and epididymal tubules were measured by light microscopy. Epididymal sperm concentrations were significantly increased after administration of alpha-Blocker. Progressive motility of spermatozoa was not significantly altered by alpha-blocker. Intraluminal pressures were significantly reduced and intraluminal fluid movement rates were significantly increased by alpha-blocker. Daily sperm production was significantly increased by alphablocker. Outside diameters of seminiferous and epididymal tubules were significantly distended when treated with alpha-blocker. These results demonstrate that alpha-blocker has an effect on spermatogenesis and sperm transport in the rat testis and epididymis.epididymis; sperm parameters; luminal pressure; flow rate; alpha-blocker Although many studies have revealed that the contractions of mammalian reproductive tracts are controlled by autonomic nerves (Risley and Skrepetos 1964; Hib 1976;Hib et al. 1982) and peristaltic contractility is considered to be the principle mechanism by which spermatozoa are moved through the epididymis

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Ablation of the Inferior Mesenteric Plexus in the Rat: Alteration of Sperm Storage in the Epididymis and Vas Deferens

Cited by 70 publications

References 12 publications

Carnitine partially protects the rat testis against the late damage produced by doxorubicin administered during pre‐puberty

Carnitine partially protects the rat testis against the late damage produced by doxorubicin administered during pre‐puberty

Sexual function in spinal cord lesioned men

Effects of Alpha-Blocker on Daily Testicular Sperm Production and Sperm Concentration, Motility, Intraluminal Pressure and Fluid Movement in the Rat Epididymis.

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