Elements of the kallikrein–kinin system are present in rat seminiferous epithelium

Monsees, Thomas K.; Miska, W.; Blöcher, Sonja; Schill, Wolf‐Bernhard; Winkler, Annett; Siems, Wolf‐Eberhard

doi:10.1016/s0162-3109(99)00062-4

Cited by 15 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Bars ϭ 50 m. sensitivity of the immunohistochemistry procedure compared to RT-PCR, which did detect the B 2 -receptor mRNA in purified Sertoli cells isolated from prepubertal rats (age, 18-21 days). Previously, we displayed the occurrence of B 2 -receptor mRNA in these cells by Northern hybridization technique [10]. We also detected B 2 -receptor protein in isolated juvenile Sertoli cells by Western blot analysis using a very sensitive detection system (unpublished results).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…We have located this protease on round and elongated spermatids in the adult rat testis [10]. Kininogens are mainly expressed in the liver and kidney.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The contractile peritubular myoid cells are embedded within the lamina propria surrounding the seminiferous tubules. We detected several components of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system (tKKS) in the rat testis: The kinin-liberating protease, tissue-kallikrein, was present on the acrosomal cap of round and elongated spermatids [10], whereas kinin-degrading proteases, kininases, were located on the surface of Sertoli cells [11][12][13]. The B 2 -receptor mRNA was identified in testis and Sertoli cell extracts isolated from immature rats [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Expression and Location of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor in Rat Testis1

Monsees

Blöcher

Heidorn

et al. 2002

Biology of Reproduction

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To investigate the possible role of the local tissue kallikrein-kinin system in spermatogenesis, we analyzed gene expression and cellular distribution of the bradykinin subtype-2 receptor (B(2) receptor) in the rat testis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed B(2) receptor expression in testis and primary cultures of Sertoli cells and peritubular cells isolated from immature and mature rats. In situ hybridization of the B(2)-receptor mRNA showed intense labeling of cells on the base of the seminiferous tubule, whereas the autoradiographic signals gradually decreased toward the lumen. Immune histochemistry using testicular sections of pubertal and adult rats showed specific staining for the B(2)-receptor protein in cells of the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules, especially on pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids. This immunostaining varied with the stages of the seminiferous cycle. The receptor protein was also observed on peritubular cells of pubertal rats. In conclusion, we demonstrated a stage-specific expression of the bradykinin B(2) receptor in different cells of the seminiferous tubules of the rat testis. The results point to a possible function of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system in the local regulation of spermatogenesis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…We have located this protease on round and elongated spermatids in the adult rat testis [10]. Kininogens are mainly expressed in the liver and kidney.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Expression and Location of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor in Rat Testis1

Monsees

Blöcher

Heidorn

et al. 2002

Biology of Reproduction

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“…In male heavy smokers, Sertoli cell functions deteriorate (Pfl ieger-Bruss, 2004). Moreover, some toxicants impair male fertility target Sertoli cells, illustrating the importance of these cells in human male reproduction (Monsees et al, 1999). In recent years, the deterioration in human fertility potential has been partly due to effects of increasing exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides (Monsees et al, 2000;Defamie et al, 2001), cigarette smoke and nicotine (Arabi et al, 2004;Pfl ieger-Bruss et al, 2004).…”

Section: Infertility Oxidative Stress and Vitamin Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

et al. 2011

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In this article, we focus on the fundamental role of vitamin C transporters for the normal delivery of vitamin C to germ cells in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. We argue that the redox status within spermatozoa or in semen is partly responsible for the etiology of infertility. In this context, antioxidant defence plays a critical role in male fertility. Vitamin C, a micronutrient required for a wide variety of metabolic functions, has long been associated with male reproduction. Two systems for vitamin C transport have been described in mammals. Facilitative hexose transporters (GLUTs), with 14 known isoforms to date, GLUT1-GLUT14, transport the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) into the cells. Sodium ascorbic acid co-transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Sertoli cells control germ cell proliferation and differentiation through cell-cell communication and form the blood-testis barrier. Because the blood-testis barrier limits direct access of molecules from the plasma into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, one important question is the method by which germ cells obtain vitamin C. Some interesting results have thrown light on this matter. Expression of SVCT2 and some isoforms of GLUT transporters in the testis have previously been described. Our group has demonstrated that Sertoli cells express functionally active vitamin C transporters. Kinetic characteristics were described for both transport systems (SVCT and GLUT systems). Sertoli cells are able to transport both forms of vitamin C. These fi ndings are extremely relevant, because Sertoli cells may control the amount of vitamin C in the adluminal compartment, as well as regulating the availability of this metabolite throughout spermatogenesis.

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“…Despite all components of the kallikrein-kinin system are present in the male and female genital tract [177,178] and the localization of the bradykinin B 2 -receptor in rat testis [179,180], the function of the kallikrein-kinin system for male reproductive function is still unclear. The prostate-specific human glandular kallikrein, which is about 500-times less effective than tissue kallikrein, is present in human seminal plasma [181].…”

Section: In Vitro Treatment Of Spermatozoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm preparation for ART

Henkel

Schill

2003

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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423

175

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The onset of clinical assisted reproduction, a quarter of a century ago, required the isolation of motile spermatozoa. As the indication of assisted reproduction shifted from mere gynaecological indications to andrological indications during the years, this urged andrological research to understand the physiology of male germ cell better and develop more sophisticated techniques to separate functional spermatozoa from those that are immotile, have poor morphology or are not capable to fertilize oocytes. Initially, starting from simple washing of spermatozoa, separation techniques, based on different principles like migration, filtration or density gradient centrifugation evolved. The most simple and cheapest is the conventional swim-up procedure. A more sophisticated and most gentle migration method is migration-sedimentation. However, its yield is relatively small and the technique is therefore normally only limited to ejaculates with a high number of motile spermatozoa. Recently, however, the method was also successfully used to isolate spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Sperm separation methods that yield a higher number of motile spermatozoa are glass wool filtration or density gradient centrifugation with different media. Since Percoll® as a density medium was removed from the market in 1996 for clinical use in the human because of its risk of contamination with endotoxins, other media like IxaPrep®, Nycodenz, SilSelect®, PureSperm® or Isolate® were developed in order to replace Percoll®. Today, an array of different methods is available and the selection depends on the quality of the ejaculates, which also includes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by spermatozoa and leukocytes. Ejaculates with ROS production should not be separated by means of conventional swim-up, as this can severely damage the spermatozoa. In order to protect the male germ cells from the influence of ROS and to stimulate their motility to increase the yield, a number of substances can be added to the ejaculate or the separation medium. Caffeine, pentoxifylline and 2-deoxyadenosine are substances that were used to stimulate motility. Recent approaches to stimulate spermatozoa include bicarbonate, metal chelators or platelet-activating factor (PAF). While the use of PAF already resulted in pregnancies in intrauterine insemination, the suitability of the other substances for the clinical use still needs to be tested. Finally, the isolation of functional spermatozoa from highly viscous ejaculates is a special challenge and can be performed enzymatically to liquefy the ejaculate. The older method, by which the ejaculate is forcefully aspirated through a narrow-gauge needle, should be abandoned as it can severely damage spermatozoa, thus resulting in immotile sperm.

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Elements of the kallikrein–kinin system are present in rat seminiferous epithelium

Cited by 15 publications

References 26 publications

Expression and Location of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor in Rat Testis1

Expression and Location of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor in Rat Testis1

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

Sperm preparation for ART

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