Vascular Patterns of the Mammalian Testis and Their Functional Significance

Harrison, R. G.; Weiner, J S

doi:10.1242/jeb.26.3.304

Cited by 114 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The mammalian testicular artery is winding and surrounded by the pampiniform plexus. This characteristic structure helps keep the testicular temperature lower than the body temperature (Harrison and Weiner 1949). However, it is unclear by what mechanisms the testis artery winds and the veins surround the artery during the development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis

et al. 2023

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The androgen pathway via androgen receptor (AR) has received the most attention for development of male reproductive tracts.The estrogen pathway through estrogen receptor (ESR1) is also a major contributor to rete testis and efferent duct formation, but the role of progesterone via progesterone receptor (PGR) has largely been overlooked. Expression patterns of these receptors in the mesonephric tubules (MTs) and Wol an duct (WD), which differentiate into the efferent ductules and epididymis, respectively, remain unclear because of the di culty in distinguishing each region of the tracts. This study investigated AR, ESR1, and PGR expressions in the murine mesonephros using three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction. The receptors were localized in serial para n sections of the mouse testis and mesonephros by immunohistochemistry on embryonic days (E) 12.5, 15.5, and 18.5. Speci c regions of the developing MTs and WD were determined by 3-D reconstruction using Amira software. AR was found rst at the distal end (gonadal side) of MTs at E12.5, and the epithelial expression showed increasing strength from cranial to the caudal side. Epithelial expression of ESR1 was found in the cranial WD and MTs near the WD rst at E15.5. PGR was weakly positive only in the MTs and cranial WD starting on E15.5 but negative in the distal end of the MTs. This 3-D analysis suggests that gonadal androgen acts rst on the distal end of MTs but that estrogen is the rst to in uence MTs on the WD side, while potential PGR activity is delayed and limited to the epithelium.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis

et al. 2023

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“…More studies are required to validate the capability of MRI series in examining the testicular tissue architecture. The vascularity pattern of testis had species variations of lengths of spermatic cord as well as the size and position of the testicles ( 31 ). This study, and that recorded before ( 32 ), confirmed the origin of the testicular artery in camel from the ventral or ventrolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar explanations were given by Hofmann ( 34 ) and Hess et al ( 35 ) in cattle bull, Osman et al ( 33 ) in camel, and Elgaafary et al ( 36 ) in the buffalo bull. The degree of arterial convolution in the spermatic cord is directly proportional to the size of the testis which explains the less tortuosity in rodents, carnivores, and human which all have the small sized gonads, and mostly straight testicular artery ( 31 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Normal Testes and Epididymis Besides Angiography of Testicular Artery in Dromedary Camel

et al. 2022

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Decreasing male fertility encouraged the investigators to innovate accurate diagnostic non-invasive methods for detection of changes in the testicular parenchyma. Ultrasonography (US) has the potential to be used in this manner for decades, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is still of limited application in animals for this purpose. The current study was designed to describe appearances and quantitative MRI attributes of the normal testes, epididymis besides angiography of testicular artery in camels. About 30 apparently healthy male dromedary camels aged 8–14 years were slaughtered during the rutting season. Immediately after slaughtering, the male gonads (n = 30 pairs of testicles and epididymis) were subjected to morphometric evaluation using a Vernier caliper and ultrasound scanning. Epididymial sperms were evaluated for motility, vitality and abnormality. MRI was performed for testes (n=16) by using a 1.5T Excite-II MRI apparatus of Sigma. Radiography and angioarchitecture of testicular artery (n=24) were done. Camel testicular length, width, and depth showed non-significant differences between a Vernier caliper or sonar. The MRI results revealed that both the testis and epididymis have homogenously intermediate signal (T1) and testes have hyperintense signal, with slightly lower signal in the epididymis (T2). In conclusion, both the ultrasonography and MRI techniques, with each respective computer-assisted imaging, could be used to detect the histomorphological changes of the camels' testicles. However, US imaging remains the first diagnostic technique for evaluating the reproductive health in men for its lower cost and accuracy. MRI is beneficial when the sonograms are inconclusive and/or equivocal. It shows the examined tissues in greater anatomical details compared to ultrasonography. Further studies are needed to compare between characteristics of US and MRI of normal testes and epididymis with testicular artery angiography in living camel during rut season and non-rut season and between normal healthy and affected diseased genitalia.

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“…Bulls (up to 130 loops), rams (80 loops), and bucks (50 loops) all have a lot of coiling in their testicular artery. In other animal species such as stallions, camels, and dogs, the coiling is comparatively smaller (less than 25 loops), whereas humans have no coiling in the testicular artery (Harrison and Weiner 1949 ; Setchell 1978 ; Gouletsou 2017 ). Variations among animal species in the degree of convolutions of the testicular artery might be attributed to the differences in abdominal–testicular temperature gradients (Harrison and Weiner 1949 ).…”

Section: Anatomical Consideration Of the Testicular Arterymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the ventral aspect of the testis, small arterial branches run on the lateral and medial testicular surfaces toward the epididymal edge, until they penetrate the tunica albuginea toward the testicular parenchyma as centripetal arteries (Jantosovicová and Jantosovic 1983 ). In dogs, the convoluted part (named the STA) of the testicular artery is cranial to the testis, while the MTA runs in a straight plane to the caudal pole of the testis, and gives off many branches on either side, from which terminal vessels pass into the testicular parenchyma and directed towards the center of the testis (Harrison and Weiner 1949 ). The proximal portion of the STA (cranial segment of the STA) is loosely convoluted, while the distal portion (looping segment of the STA) is of high convolutions as the artery approached the cranial pole of the testis (Harrison and Weiner 1949 ).…”

Section: Anatomical Consideration Of the Testicular Arterymentioning

confidence: 99%

An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals

et al. 2022

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In all organs, control of blood flow is important but might be particularly critical for testicular functions. This is because of the very low oxygen concentration and high metabolic rate of the seminiferous tubules, the physiological temperature of the testis, and its location outside the abdominal cavity. Many factors affect the characteristics of TBF in farm and companion animals, such as environment (thermal and seasonal effects) and physiological (species, breeds, age, body weight, and sexual maturity). Thermal environment stress has detrimental effects on spermatogenesis and consequently has more serious impacts on both human and animal fertility. Numerous studies have been performed to assess TBF in different animal species including bulls, rams, bucks, alpacas, stallions, and dogs with varied results. Hence, assessment of TBF by Doppler ultrasonography is of great importance to estimate the effect of high environment temperature on testicular functions. Also, differences observed in the TBF may result from different technical aspects such as the identification of the segment of the testicular artery to be examined. In the current review, we focused on the imperative roles of TBF in various animal species. Besides, we discussed in detail various factors that could affect TBF. These factors can significantly modify the TBF and thus should be considered when establishing reference values in farm animals for better clinical diagnosis. The information provided in this review is valuable for researchers and veterinarians to help them a better understanding of testicular hemodynamics for the proper evaluation of breeding soundness examination in males.

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Vascular Patterns of the Mammalian Testis and Their Functional Significance

Cited by 114 publications

References 15 publications

Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis

Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis

Characteristics of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Normal Testes and Epididymis Besides Angiography of Testicular Artery in Dromedary Camel

An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals

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