Proliferation, apoptosis, and number of Sertoli cells in the Syrian hamster during recrudescence after exposure to short photoperiod†‡

Abstract

The Sertoli cell (Sc) has been described as a quiescent cell once the animal has reached sexual maturity. Syrian hamster is an animal that displays testicular regression due to short photoperiod, during which process germ cells and Sc are removed through apoptosis. The aim of this work was to investigate histochemically whether the spontaneous testicular recrudescence processes after exposure to a short photoperiod lead to an increase in Sc proliferative activity in order to restore the normal population. Three spontaneous recrudescence groups were established: initial (IR), advanced (AR), and total (TR) recrudescence, which were compared with animal undergoing the regression process (mild: MRg, strong: SRg, and total: TRg) and animals in long photoperiod (Controls). Histological sections were submitted to histochemical techniques for detecting apoptotic and proliferative Sc with bright-field and fluorescence microscopy. For each group, the proliferative Sc index (PScI) and apoptotic Sc index (AScI), and the total number of Sc were obtained. The results revealed the existence of Vimentin+/TUNEL+ as well as Vimentin+/PCNA+ cells. The PScI was significantly higher in TRg and IR than in the other groups. The AScI was only significantly higher in MRg and SRg with respect to the other groups. The total number of Sc increased among TRg, IR, and AR, reaching values similar to those of the Controls. In conclusion, the increase in Sc proliferation from final regression and recrudescence, accompanied by a similar rate of apoptosis to the Control group, is the cause of the restoration of the Sc population during spontaneous recrudescence.

Histomorphometrical study of the testis in the desert Rodent,Gerbillus tarabuli, sexually immature and adult during the annual reproductive cycle

“…These results together indicate that, the loss of testicular weight noted in sexually quiescent adult Gerbils is justified by the significant reduction in morphometric parameters (tubular diameter and thickness of the seminiferous epithelium) which is due to the abolition of spermatogenesis, hence the total absence of sperm and the significant involution of Leydig cells. These results corroborate those obtained in Meriones libycus (Gernigon‐Spychalowicz, 1992), Gerbillus Gerbillus , Psamommys obesus (Amirat & Khammar, 1977), Meriones crassus (Boufermes, 1997), Meriones libycus (Boufermes, 2014) and Gerbilliscus leucogaster (Muteka et al., 2019) living in the same biotope, and those obtained in the Chinese striped hamster ( Cricetulus barabensis ) (Martínez‐Hernández et al., 2020), the Syrian Hamster (Jin et al., 2002; Martínez‐Hernández et al., 2018) and the Siberian Hamster (Schlatt et al., 1995) where the seminiferous tubular diameter increase is due to the primary spermatocytes increase and the spermatids appearance (Martínez‐Hernández et al., 2020; Schlatt et al., 1995). Besides, according to Lincoln (1981), when testicular weight regresses by more than 30% compared to the reproductive season, spermatogenesis is incomplete.…”

“…Meriones libycus (Boufermes, 2014) and Gerbilliscus leucogaster (Muteka et al, 2019) living in the same biotope, and those obtained in the Chinese striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis) (Martínez-Hernández et al, 2020), the Syrian Hamster (Jin et al, 2002;Martínez-Hernández et al, 2018) and the Siberian Hamster (Schlatt et al, 1995) where the seminiferous tubular diameter increase is due to the primary spermatocytes increase and the spermatids appearance (Martínez-Hernández et al, 2020;Schlatt et al, 1995).…”

Implication of Membrane Androgen Receptor (ZIP9) in Cell Senescence in Regressed Testes of the Bank Vole

“…This is in line with studies in mouse and rat Sertoli cells [52,53]. Thus, decreased expression of ZIP9 suggests decreasing Sertoli cell numbers during regression, as was recently shown in Syrian hamsters [54]. In Sertoli cells (TM4), the ZIP9 signal detected outside of the Sertoli cell nucleus and in the cell membrane was enhanced by the addition of testosterone or by Notch signaling inhibition, especially in perinuclear region [52].…”

In vivo exposure to codeine induces reproductive toxicity: role of HER2 and p53/Bcl-2 signaling pathway

“…This aligns with the few data available in the literature that reported possible Sertoli and Leydig cell regeneration after maturation. Although Sertoli cells have been known to be quiescent after sexual maturity, Martínez-Hern andez [63] observed increased Sertoli cell proliferation and restoration after a short photoperiod-induced apoptosis in Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Our findings that codeine cessation up-regulates HER-2 and oestrogen signaling is at least partly responsible for the enhanced sperm quality and suppressed apoptosis observed following withdrawal.…”