Polyamine Levels in Testes and Seminal Vesicles From Adult Golden Hamsters During Gonadal Regression‐Recrudescence

Abstract

The exposure of golden hamsters to short days results in early regression of the reproductive organs and subsequent spontaneous recrudescence characterized by active cellular regeneration and differentiation. Thus, adult male hamsters were subjected to short photoperiod (SP, 6L:18D) for 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22 weeks or maintained under long photoperiod (LP, 14L:10D) for 22 weeks, to assess photoperiodic‐related changes in testicular and seminal vesicle (SV) levels of polyamines (PA) that are involved in cell growth and differentiation. During the regression phase, the weights of the organs and the circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol were significantly diminished and, thereafter, during the recrudescence phase, they recovered total or partially their control values. In both tissues, the exposure to SP for 14–16 weeks resulted in an increase of PA concentrations, followed by a return to control levels in the recrudescence period. At the time of maximal tissue involution, the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity (key regulatory enzyme of PA biosynthesis) showed a significant increase in testis, preceding the sharp peak of PA concentration. However, a marked decrease in ODC activity was detected in SV. The concentration of N‐acetyl PA in SV showed an increment at 16 weeks of SP, while no modifications were detected in testicular concentration. When PA, N‐acetyl PA, and ODC activity were expressed per testis and per SV, values fell significantly during the involution period, but in the recrudescence phase levels were recovered concomitantly with the restoration of the organ weight and function. In conclusion, the photoperiodic‐related changes in PA and their N‐acetyl derivatives might play a crucial role in regrowth and differentiation of the male sexual organs during the spontaneous recrudescence phase. Additionally, organ‐specific regulation of the PA biosynthesis pathway could also take place.

Impact of COVID‐19 on sperm quality and the prostaglandin and polyamine systems in the seminal fluid

“…40 Polyamines are found in semen, presumably as a result of their secretion from the testes, seminal vesicles, and prostate. 45,46 However, in agreement with previous reports that described the activity of polyamine-synthesizing enzymes in seminal plasma, 104,105 we detected ODC activity in samples collected from both uninfected and COVID-19 recovered men, suggesting that beyond the male reproductive glands, polyamines can be locally synthesized in semen. Therefore, our studies show that low putrescine concentration in seminal plasma collected up to 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection tends to be directly correlated with a decreased sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology, probably caused by the inflammatory and oxidative environment.…”

“…ODC activity was measured by recording the production of 14 CO 2 from L-[1-14 C]-ornithine (NEN Perkin Elmer, #NEC710050UC) following the original protocol of Pegg et al, 51 slightly modified and previously validated in our laboratory. 46 ODC activity was expressed as pmol of 14 CO 2 released/h/mg of protein.…”

“…Polyamines and acetylated polyamines levels were assayed in seminal plasma samples by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) according to the original protocols of Seiler 52 and de las Heras et al 53 previously validated in our laboratory, 46 with some modifications.…”

“…39,44 The presence of polyamines and their acetylated derivatives has been reported in testes, prostate, and seminal vesicles, where they regulate, among other, cell proliferation and survival. [45][46][47] Therefore, the testes and accessory reproductive glands are sources of prostaglandins and polyamines, which are secreted and incorporated into seminal plasma. 15,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]45,46 This study was initially undertaken to determine whether SARS-…”

“…[45][46][47] Therefore, the testes and accessory reproductive glands are sources of prostaglandins and polyamines, which are secreted and incorporated into seminal plasma. 15,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]45,46 This study was initially undertaken to determine whether SARS-…”