Alpha‐glucosidase activity in the rat epididymis under different physiological conditions

Kalla, N.R.; Kaur, Sukhneeraj P.; Ujwal, N.; Mehta, Uma; Joos, Hans; Frick, J.

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2605.1997.t01-1-00039.x

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…One study showed that NAG levels are lower in the seminal plasma of patients with severe oligozoospermia or epididymal pathologies [17], possibly as a result of lower testicular testosterone levels. Testosterone is necessary for the function of the epididymis [29], as was shown by a study in rats, in which NAG activity was reduced significantly in all segments of the epididymis 7 days after castration [30]. Previous studies show that NAG activity is positively correlated with traditional semen variables [17, 29,31,32], and are consistent with the results of the present study, which suggest that a normal secretion of this epididymal marker is associated with semen quality.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α‐glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa

Vivas-Acevedo¹,

Lozano-Hernández²,

Camejo

2014

BJU International

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Objective• To assess the relationship between a marker of epididymal function and both the fragmentation of the sperm nucleus and the integrity and maturity of the sperm membrane in patients with or without varicocele. Patients and Methods• Semen samples were obtained from men with varicocele grades II and III (n = 60) and from a control group with zoospermia defined as normal (n = 30). • Samples were evaluated by a spermiogram, a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) enzyme activity, sperm hyaluronan-binding assay (HBA) and DNA fragmentation using a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test. Results• Seminal plasma NAG levels, percentage of sperm bound to hyaluronic acid, HOST-positive cells and sperm quality were significantly lower in the varicocele compared with the control group.• Higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, as measured by SCD, were also observed in the varicocele group compared with the control group.• Seminal NAG activity levels showed a strong negative correlation with DNA fragmentation and a significant positive correlation with the HBA test and the HOST. Conclusions• Varicocele causes a reduction in NAG activity by the epididymis that is associated with damage to both the membrane and sperm nucleus and a reduction in the seminal parameters.• NAG levels were correlated with the quality of the sperm membrane and nucleus.• Data suggest that a reduction of fertilization capacity in men during varicocele can result from damage to both the testis and the epididymis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α‐glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa

Vivas-Acevedo¹,

Lozano-Hernández²,

Camejo

2014

BJU International

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“…ACH is well known to inhibit the activity of G3PDH, one of the glycolytic enzymes that interferes with epididymal sperm maturation [10,14]. In our study, the transcript of G3PDH was remarkably down-regulated by ACH, and some other enzymes associated with the glycolytic pathway were also inhibited.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Other findings suggested that ACH can affect epididymal function through multiple pathways, including inhibiting androgen dependent enzymes such as ATPase and AChE in the epididymis [11], influencing some markers involved in epididymal function such as glucosidase activity, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, and sialidase activity [12-14], regulating the epididymal microenvironment such as acidity, fluid resorption and salt metabolism [15,16], and interfering with sugar transport, lipid metabolism and epididymal protein secretion [17-19]. All of the above effects on epididymal function through ACH indicate that it may influence male fertility by interfering with the epididymal milieu, in which the spermatozoa mature, rather than directly affecting spermatozoa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome-wide profiling of gene expression in the epididymis of alpha-chlorohydrin-induced infertile rats using an oligonucleotide microarray

Xie

Zhu

et al. 2010

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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BackgroundAs one of the chlorinated antifertility compounds, alpha-chlorohydrin (ACH) can inhibit glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) activity in epididymal sperm and affect sperm energy metabolism, maturation and fertilization, eventually leading to male infertility. Further studies demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of ACH on G3PDH is not only confined to epididymal sperm but also to the epididymis. Moreover, little investigation on gene expression changes in the epididymis after ACH treatment has been conducted. Therefore, gene expression studies may indicate new epididymal targets related to sperm maturation and fertility through the analysis of ACH-treated infertile animals.MethodsRats were treated with ACH for ten consecutive days, and then each male rat copulated with two female rats in proestrus. Then sperm maturation and other fertility parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, we identified epididymal-specific genes that are associated with fertility between control and ACH groups using an Affymetrix Rat 230 2.0 oligo-microarray. Finally, we performed RT-PCR analysis for several differentially expressed genes to validate the alteration in gene expression observed by oligonucleotide microarray.ResultsAmong all the differentially expressed genes, we analyzed and screened the down-regulated genes associated with metabolism processes, which are considered the major targets of ACH action. Simultaneously, the genes that were up-regulated by chlorohydrin were detected. The genes that negatively regulate sperm maturation and fertility include apoptosis and immune-related genes and have not been reported previously. The overall results of PCR analysis for selected genes were consistent with the array data.ConclusionsIn this study, we have described the genome-wide profiles of gene expression in the epididymides of infertile rats induced by ACH, which could become potential epididymal specific targets for male contraception and infertility treatment.

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“…The ALP levels did not differ between the control and treated groups, suggesting normal functioning of the prostate. The activity levels of α -glucosidase, a marker for epididymal sperm maturation [28], and lactic acid another important seminal plasma constituent of seminal vesicle [27] were also analyzed and remained unchanged, suggesting normal synthesis of seminal plasma constituents by the accessory reproductive organs after Nisin treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Antimicrobial Peptide, Nisin, on the Reproductive Functions of Rats

Reddy

Gupta

Aranha

2011

ISRN Veterinary Science

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Our previous studies have demonstrated that naturally occurring peptide, Nisin possess antibacterial activity and did not interfere with rabbit vaginal mucosa. In this study, the reproductive toxicity of the Nisin in male rats was evaluated. Rats were fed orally with Nisin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day) for 13 weeks. No treatment related mortality was observed. The body weight gain, food consumption and serum biochemical parameters were at par with the control group. Histomorphology of the selected reproductive (testis, epididymis, ventral prostate, and seminal vesicle) and nonreproductive (liver and kidney) tissues was observed to be normal. There was no treatment-related increase or decrease in the expression of testis-specific genes (c-Kit, GATA-1, and HILS-1) and the activity levels of epididymal α-glucosidase, ventral prostate alkaline phosphatase (AlP), liver alanine aminotransferase (AlAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT). Fructose and lactic acid levels in the seminal vesicles also remained unchanged. These studies suggest that Nisin did not affect the normal physiology of these organs. In addition, no adverse effects were observed on the reproductive performance of Nisin-treated male rats and their offspring. In conclusion, the current studies support our earlier studies, which demonstrated suitability of Nisin as a safe and effective microbicide.

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Alpha‐glucosidase activity in the rat epididymis under different physiological conditions

Cited by 16 publications

References 11 publications

Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α‐glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa

Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α‐glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa

Genome-wide profiling of gene expression in the epididymis of alpha-chlorohydrin-induced infertile rats using an oligonucleotide microarray

Effect of Antimicrobial Peptide, Nisin, on the Reproductive Functions of Rats

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