Early effects of efferent ductule ligation on the proximal segment of the rat epididymis

Nicander, Lennart; Osman, D. I.; Plöen, L.; Bugge, H. P.; Kvisgaard, K. N.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2605.1983.tb00326.x

Cited by 41 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The relative lack of lysosomes in the cytoplasm of nonciliated cells in the blind-ending tubules may be due to a decrease or absence of rete testis fluid in these tubules. Nicander et al (1983) observed that rat efferent ductules deprived of rete testis fluid for 7 days had an empty, contracted lumen, a slightly increased epithelial height, and a more densely stained cytoplasm. However, the effect of fluid deprivation on the PASpositive granules was not reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Blind‐ending tubules and branching patterns of the rat ductuli efferentes

1992

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ductuli efferentes of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied by microdissection and microscopic evaluation to document the presence of blind-ending tubules (ductuli aberrantes) and to describe morphological and ultrastructural differences between normally open ductules and blind-ending tubules. The branching patterns of the ductuli efferentes varied considerably between animals. A majority of the animals studied had either six or seven ductuli connected to the rete testis, with some animals having as few as four or as many as eight. Pairs of ductules began merging in the conus vasculosa, ultimately forming a single terminal duct within the capsule of the initial segment epididymidis. In a majority of animals, the junctions were unequally matched and located at various positions within the conus. Blind-ending tubules, found in 60% of the animals, were surrounded by thick connective tissue, and had a smaller diameter (78.7 +/- 1.4 microns) than normal ductules in the conus vasculosa (119.5 +/- 2.1 microns) or the terminus (102.2 +/- 1.5 microns). The lumina of blind-ending tubules were contracted and did not contain sperm. Nonciliated cells in the epithelium of blind-ending tubules contained fewer PAS-positive granules and electron-dense bodies (lysosomes) than nonciliated cells in normal ductules. Consideration of these characteristics will prevent blind-ending tubules from being mistaken for pathological changes in efferent ductules.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Blind‐ending tubules and branching patterns of the rat ductuli efferentes

1992

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has been well established that the epididymis, in particular the initial segment, is dependent on the testicular input of factors, other than androgens, directly to the epididymal lumen (Robaire et al 1981, Nicander et al 1983, Turner & Riley 1999; depriving the epididymis of these testicular factors (i.e. via efferent duct ligation) has well-documented effects on gene expression in the initial segment (reviewed in Hinton et al 1998).…”

Section: Growth Factor Systems In the Epididymismentioning

confidence: 99%

Region-specific expression of androgen and growth factor pathway genes in the rat epididymis and the effects of dual 5α-reductase inhibition

Henderson¹,

Cooke²,

Robaire³

2006

Journal of Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the primary androgen acting in the epididymis, the site of sperm maturation. Previously, we showed that the treatment of male rats with PNU157706, an inhibitor that acts on both isoforms of 5a-reductase to prevent DHT formation, has effects on the expression of genes implicated in processes that create the optimal luminal microenvironment required for sperm maturation, and on sperm maturation itself. However, signaling pathways involved in regulating or mediating DHT actions in the epididymis remain largely unknown. The goals of this study were to determine the expression profiles of potential signaling systems in the epididymis and assess their DHTdependence using two different dual 5a-reductase inhibitors. Rats were untreated or gavaged with vehicle, 10 mg/kg per day PNU157706 or 32 mg/kg per day FK143 for 28 days and epididymal gene expression was analyzed. Gene array analysis revealed analogous effects of FK143 on overall epididymal gene expression when compared with previous PNU157706 studies. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the expression of the 5a-reductase isozymes, androgen receptor, and members of the IGF, FGF, TGF, and VEGF families revealed novel region-specific expression profiles in the epididymis that were differentially affected by 5a-reductase inhibition; the two inhibitors had parallel effects. Specifically, in proximal regions, 5a-reductase 1, androgen receptor, and TGF-b1 expression increased after treatment, while in distal regions expression of IGF-I, IGFBP-5, IGFBP-6, and FGF-10 decreased. These results provide insight into epididymal signaling mechanisms and indicate potential candidates acting either upstream or downstream of DHT to regulate and/or mediate its actions in the epididymis.

show abstract

“…To verify the causal relationship of epididymal defects to a relative obstruction of epididymal ducts and the dilation and liquid accumulation of the upstream rete testis, we performed a bilateral efferent ductile ligation (ELG) (Nicander et al, 1983) and bilateral vasoligation (VLG) (Preslock et al, 1985) in Gpr48 wild-type mice at 3 weeks of age. At 12 weeks of age, the seminiferous epithelium in mice with either ELG or VLG demonstrated similar changes to those in Gpr48 -/-adult males (Fig.…”

Section: Malformation Of the Reproductive Tract And Infertility In Gpmentioning

confidence: 99%

G protein-coupled receptor 48 upregulates estrogen receptor α expression via cAMP/PKA signaling in the male reproductive tract

Sun

et al. 2010

Development

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYThe epididymis and efferent ducts play major roles in sperm maturation, transport, concentration and storage by reabsorbing water, ions and proteins produced from seminiferous tubules. Gpr48-null male mice demonstrate reproductive tract defects and infertility. In the present study, we found that estrogen receptor  (ER) was dramatically reduced in the epididymis and efferent ducts in Gpr48-null male mice. We further revealed that ER could be upregulated by Gpr48 activation via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Moreover, we identified a cAMP responsive element (Cre) motif located at -1307 to -1300 bp in the ER promoter that is able to interact with Cre binding protein (Creb). In conclusion, Gpr48 participates in the development of the male epididymis and efferent ducts through regulation of ER expression via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. KEY WORDS: Gpr48, ER(Esr1), Creb, Epididymis, Infertility, MouseG protein-coupled receptor 48 upregulates estrogen receptor  expression via cAMP/PKA signaling in the male reproductive tract DEVELOPMENT 152 is observed in Gpr48-null mice. The expression of ER, NHE3 and aquaporin 1 (Aqp1) is reduced in the proximal segment of the efferent ducts.In the present study, we investigated the role of Gpr48 in the regulation of ER expression and further explored the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS MiceGpr48-null male mice were housed at 21±1°C with a humidity of 55±10% and a 12-hour light-dark cycle. Food and water were available ad libitum. For genotyping analysis, genomic DNA was isolated from tail biopsy and PCR was carried out using three primers: upstream primer 5Ј-CCAGTCACCACTCTTACACAATGGCTAAAC-3Ј; and downstream primers 5Ј-GGTCTTTGAGCACCAGAGGAC-3Ј and 5Ј-TCCCGTAG -GAGATAGCGTCCTAG-3Ј. With regard to the male fertility assay, each Gpr48+/-and Gpr48 -/-adult male aged 12 weeks was housed with two Gpr48 +/+ females. The females were examined daily for vaginal plugs. The litter number was counted immediately after parturition. The animal protocol was reviewed and approved by the Animal Care Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Ligation operationTwenty-four mice at 3 weeks of age received bilateral efferent ductile ligation (EGL; n8), bilateral vasoligation (VGL; n8) and sham operations (n8). For EGL, the efferent ductule was doubly ligated close to the epididymis and away from the epididymal and testicular vasculature and vas deferens. For VGL, bilateral vasa deferentia were doubly ligated. The mice receiving EGL, VGL or sham operations were observed daily to ascertain a normal descending of the testes. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical stainingAnimal tissues were fixed overnight in Bouin's solution, dehydrated in ethanol, embedded in paraffin and sectioned at 5 m. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining were performed according to a standard protocol. In brief, the sections were de-paraffined, progressively rehydrated and treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide in methanol for 30 minutes...

show abstract

Early effects of efferent ductule ligation on the proximal segment of the rat epididymis

Cited by 41 publications

References 20 publications

Blind‐ending tubules and branching patterns of the rat ductuli efferentes

Blind‐ending tubules and branching patterns of the rat ductuli efferentes

Region-specific expression of androgen and growth factor pathway genes in the rat epididymis and the effects of dual 5α-reductase inhibition

G protein-coupled receptor 48 upregulates estrogen receptor α expression via cAMP/PKA signaling in the male reproductive tract

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About