Malfunction of spermatogenesis in experimental ischemic mice

Abstract

An experimental ischemia (EI)-induced mouse model was used to analyze pathological and biochemical alterations in testes. Initial morphological changes were observed in Sertoli cells of EI testes at the light microscopic level. Examination of the ultrastructure using transmission electron microscopy confirmed that Sertoli cells were partially detached from the basement membrane of the seminiferous epithelium and that the cell membranes of adjacent Sertoli cells were not joined. The functional integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) was assessed using the lanthanum tracer technique. Lanthanum had penetrated into the spaces between adjacent Sertoli cells in the adluminal compartment up to the lumen of the seminiferous epithelium in EI testes. Proteome analysis showed that the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 was significantly upregulated in EI testes. Western blot analysis confirmed that the expression of HSP70 increased in a time-dependent manner after the EI procedure. HSP70 immunostaining was observed in spermatocytes and in round and elongated spermatids in EI testes. Our results suggest that a change in the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells on the basal compartment is involved in the BTB disruption in EI testes. Therefore, male infertility caused by the BTB disruption could be associated with heat stress induced by ischemia.

N-Butylphthalide Alleviates Blood–Brain Barrier Impairment in Rats Exposed to Carbon Monoxide

“…Lanthanum tracer is often used for the study of cell connection and cell membrane permeability change in recent years (Kalachev, 2015; Yazama et al, 2015). In the present study, four rats in each group were intraperitoneally anesthetized at definite time points, and then were successively perfused 0.9% sodium chloride 200 ml for 1 h and 2% lanthanum nitrate-dimethyl arsenic 250 ml from left ventricular for 2 h. After stiffness of rat body, the whole brain was taken out, and cerebral cortex and hippocampus were isolated with craniotomy, respectively.…”

Immobilization Technique for High-Resolution MR Imaging of the Testes

“… 3 The etiology and pathophysiology of testicular disorders are usually studied using various animal models. 4 – 8 The microstructures of the testis, such as the seminiferous tubules (a region normally 200 μm in diameter) and thin blood vessels, exhibit morphological changes in the diseased or disordered state. High-resolution MR imaging may be able to detect morphological changes in these small structures and provide valuable information on testicular diseases.…”