Maternal undernutrition does not alter Sertoli cell numbers or the expression of key developmental markers in the mid-gestation ovine fetal testis

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of maternal undernutrition on ovine fetal testis morphology and expression of relevant histological indicators. Maternal undernutrition, in sheep, has been reported, previously, to alter fetal ovary development, as indicated by delayed folliculogenesis and the altered expression of ovarian apoptosis-regulating gene products, at day 110 of gestation. It is not known whether or not maternal undernutrition alters the same gene products in the day 110 fetal testis.Design and methodsMature Scottish Blackface ewes were fed either 100% (Control; C) or 50% (low; L) of estimated metabolisable energy requirements of a pregnant ewe, from mating to day 110 of gestation. All pregnant ewes were euthanized at day 110 and a sub-set of male fetuses was randomly selected (6 C and 9 L) for histology studies designed to address the effect of nutritional state on several indices of testis development. Sertoli cell numbers were measured using a stereological method and Ki67 (cell proliferation index), Bax (pro-apoptosis), Mcl-1 (anti-apoptosis), SCF and c-kit ligand (development and apoptosis) gene expression was measured in Bouins-fixed fetal testis using immunohistochemistry.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in numbers of Sertoli cells or testicular Ki67 positive cells. The latter were localised to the testicular cords and interstitium. Bax and Mcl-1 were localised specifically to the germ cells whereas c-kit was localised to both the cords and interstitium. SCF staining was very sparse. No treatment effects were observed for any of the markers examined.ConclusionsThese data suggest that, unlike in the fetal ovary, maternal undernutrition for the first 110 days of gestation affects neither the morphology of the fetal testis nor the expression of gene products which regulate apoptosis. It is postulated that the effects of fetal undernutrition on testis function may be expressed through hypothalamic-pituitary changes.

Peri-conception and first trimester diet modifies reproductive development in bulls

“…The lack of effect upon Sertoli, germ and interstitial cells is in contrast to studies that reported a reduction in the number of Sertoli cells in newborn lambs undernourished in utero during the second trimester of gestation (Bielli et al 2002;Kotsampasi et al 2009) but concurs with studies that excised the testis at a fetal endpoint (Da Silva et al 2003;Andrade et al 2013).…”

Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals

“…The single bovine study shows FSH levels and testis volume were increased in the bull calf by first-trimester protein restriction (Sullivan et al 2010). In sheep, when endpoints were assessed in mid-pregnancy, the consensus is that neither maternal undernutrition nor reduced fetal nutrient supply affect Sertoli cell number, the number of seminiferous cords or basal pituitary gonadotrophin secretion (Rae et al 2002b;Andrade et al 2013). However, in the newborn lamb, the number of seminiferous cords and Sertoli cells was reduced following maternal undernutrition from mid-pregnancy onwards and was associated with a modest reduction in birthweight (12% reduction) relative to the adequately nourished control group (Bielli et al 2002).…”

Geographic Variation of Environmental Chemicals and Testicular Pathology in Dogs

“…Forty images (x630 magni cation) were taken of each vimentin immunostained testis, 10 from each 'compass' pole. This was deemed representative of the testis section 28 . For each image, the tubule area (pixels) and all Sertoli cells were counted.…”

“…East (p≤0.001) and East Midlands (p≤0.01). Copenhagen also had signi cantly less PCNA staining than the South East (p≤0.05).Regional variation in testicular chemical pro lesThe chemical concentrations of diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), sum of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCB:28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) and sum of polybrominated diethyl ether congeners (PBDE: 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183) found in the testes of dogs living in ve different geographical regions are illustrated in gure 6. A signi cant difference in chemical pro le by region was observed (p≤0.01).…”