Changes in testicular transferrin concentrations measured by enzyme immunoassay after FSH administration to beagle dogs

1999

ABSTRACT. The effects of a cryptorchid testis on the contralateral testis were investigated after artificially producing unilateral cryptorchidism in 8 beagle dogs. Bilateral testicular biopsy and collection of spermatic vein blood and peripheral vein blood were performed at the time of the operation to produce the cryptorchidism and 52 weeks later. The testicular tissue was used for histological examination by light microscopy and measurement of the testicular transferrin (Tf) concentration by enzyme immunoassay. Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol-17β (E 2 ), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Semen was collected weekly and its quality was examined. No spermatogenesis was observed in the cryptorchid testes at 52 weeks after the operation, and the number of germ cells in the contralateral testes had decreased but the number of Sertoli cells did not change. The Tf concentration in both testes had also decreased. The mean total number of sperm between 48 and 52 weeks after the operation (194 × 10 6 ) was less than half the number before the operation (510 × 10 6 ). Mean spermatic vein plasma T levels (51 ng/ml) in the cryptorchid testes 52 weeks after the cryptorchid operation were significantly lower than before the operation (91 ng/ml; P<0.05). By contrast, spermatic vein plasma E 2 levels (80 pg/ml) were significantly higher than the values before the operation (51 pg/ml P<0.05). The peripheral plasma LH levels decreased. These findings indicate that a large quantity of E 2 secreted by the cryptorchid testis inhibits the endocrine and spermatogenic functions of the contralateral testis in the dog. In particular, it is assumed that dysfunction of the contralateral testis is associated with Sertoli cell dysfunction suggested by the low Tf concentration.-KEY WORDS: artificial cryptorchidism, canine, estrogen.

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 40%

“…Testicular Tf concentrations were determined by our microtiter plate double-antibody EIA method [10]. Briefly, Tf was purified from male dog serum by DEAE-Affi-Gel Blue chromatography and gel filtration.…”

Section: Animals and Surgerymentioning

confidence: 99%

Function of Contralateral Testis after Artificial Unilateral Cryptorchidism in Dogs

1999

“…The right testis and the left testis were biopsed under halothane inhalation anesthesia 1 week before and 5 weeks after the start of hormone treatment, respectively. The testicular tissue collected was divided into two portions, with one portion being used to measure testicular transferrin (Tf) concentrations by our EIA [6], and the other portion being used for histological examination after staining with PAShematoxylin. Germ cell counting was performed by the methods described previously [10] in 5 seminiferous tubules at stage 9 of the seminiferous epithelial cycle.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Plasma Testosterone and Testicular Transferrin Concentration, Testicular Histology and Semen Quality after Treatment of Testosterone-Depot plus PMSG to 3 Dogs with Asthenozoospermia.

2000

Three dogs diagnosed as having asthenozoospermia were given three intramuscular injections of 50 mg testosterone(T)-depot plus 250 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at 2-week intervals, and their plasma T and testicular transferrin (Tf) concentrations, testicular histology, and semen quality were examined during the period of hormone therapy. Plasma T concentrations temporarily increased, and there was a slight improvement in spermatogenesis. Increased Tf concentrations suggested that Sertoli cell function in all three dogs was promoted by hormone treatment. The results showed that semen quality, especially the percentages of motile sperm and abnormal sperm, were improved between 1 and 5 weeks after the start of T-depot plus PMSG treatment.-KEY WORDS: asthenozoospermia, canine, testosterone plus PMSG treatment. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 62(2): 203-206, 2000 intervals. Peripheral blood samples were collected 4 times a day at-7,-1, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after the start of hormone treatment. Plasma T concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay, as reported previously [7]. The right testis and the left testis were biopsed under halothane inhalation anesthesia 1 week before and 5 weeks after the start of hormone treatment, respectively. The testicular tissue collected was divided into two portions, with one portion being used to measure testicular transferrin (Tf) concentrations by our EIA [6], and the other portion being used for histological examination after staining with PAS-hematoxylin. Germ cell counting was performed by the methods described previously [10] in 5 seminiferous tubules at stage 9 of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Semen specimens were collected by digital manipulation at one-week intervals and each specimen was evaluated by the methods described previously [9]. Plasma T concentrations in the three dogs peaked on Day 1 after the start of hormone treatment (7.8-12.0 ng/ml), and then decreased to the basal levels (1.4-2.0 ng/ml) on Day 14. The testicular Tf concentrations in all three dogs clearly increased (Table 1) after T-depot plus PMSG treatment, and spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules improved (Table 1 and Fig. 2). Semen quality improved between 1 and 5 weeks after the start of T-depot plus PMSG treatment (Fig. 1). It was of particular interest that the number of sperm and the percentages of motile sperm increased every week after each of the three hormone treatments in all three dogs. The percentages of motile sperm in Dogs No. 1 and No. 2 increased from below 50% before hormone treatment to 80% between 3 weeks and 5 weeks after the start of hormone treatment. The percentages of morphologically abnormal sperm, mainly bent or coiled tail, were transiently decreased by this hormone therapy. The plasma T concentration of normal dogs has been The authors have used GnRH-analogue or hCG to treat dogs with low plasma testosterone (T) concentrations and spermatogenic dysfunction, but the semen quality of a few of the treated dogs did not improve at all [7, 8]. Harrop [3] reported fail...

“…This study focused on apoptotic cells in the testis of azoospermic dogs in relation to blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), T, and E 2 . The concentrations of testicular transferrin (Tf) were also measured as a marker of Sertoli cell function [12,16].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biopsied testicular tissues were examined for Tf concentrations by enzyme immunoassay [12]. All the data were statistically analyzed by Student's t-test.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Azoospermia of Dogs with Apoptotic Germ Cells and Leydig Cells

2000

ABSTRACT. Apoptotic cell death in the testes of 4 dogs with azoospermia was examined. Blood plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and estradiol-17β (E 2 ) concentrations, and testicular transferrin (Tf) concentration as a marker of Sertoli cell function were measured in the 4 azoospermic dogs and in 5 normal dogs. The spermatids in 2 of the 4 azoospermic dogs and the Leydig cells in 3 of them exhibited apoptotic cell death. Mean LH, E 2 , and Tf concentrations in the 4 azoospermic dogs were significantly higher than in the normal dogs (P<0.01). These findings suggested that the azoospermia in all 4 dogs might has been caused by abnormal functions of Sertoli cells as well as Leydig cells.-KEY WORDS: apoptosis, azoospermia, canine.