1
|
Bond P, Smit DL, de Ronde W. Anabolic-androgenic steroids: How do they work and what are the risks? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1059473. [PMID: 36644692 PMCID: PMC9837614 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a class of hormones that are widely abused for their muscle-building and strength-increasing properties in high, nontherapeutic, dosages. This review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview on how these hormones work and what side effects they might elicit. We discuss how AAS are absorbed into the circulation after intramuscular injection or oral ingestion and how they are subsequently transported to the tissues, where they will move into the extravascular compartment and diffuse into their target cells. Inside these cells, AAS can biotransform into different metabolites or bind to their cognate receptor: the androgen receptor. AAS and their metabolites can cause side effects such as acne vulgaris, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, dyslipidemia, testosterone deficiency, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and cardiomyopathy. Where applicable, we mention treatment options and self-medication practices of AAS users to counteract these side effects. Clinicians may use this review as a guide for understanding how AAS use can impact health and to assist in patient education and, in some cases, the management of side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diederik L. Smit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Willem de Ronde
- Department of Internal Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ultrastructural, Histochemical, and Cytological Study of Testis of Human Fetuses of Various Gestation Periods with Future Implications in Orchidectomy / Orchidopexy in the Patients with Seminoma and Interstitial Cell Tumors of Testis. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN APPLIED AND BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.52547/rabms.8.4.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
3
|
Bisconti M, Leroy B, Gallagher MT, Senet C, Martinet B, Arcolia V, Wattiez R, Kirkman-Brown JC, Simon JF, Hennebert E. The ribosome inhibitor chloramphenicol induces motility deficits in human spermatozoa: A proteomic approach identifies potentially involved proteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:965076. [PMID: 36120567 PMCID: PMC9478589 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.965076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature spermatozoa are almost completely devoid of cytoplasm; as such it has long been believed that they do not contain ribosomes and are therefore not capable of synthesising proteins. However, since the 1950s, various studies have shown translational activity within spermatozoa, particularly during their in vitro capacitation. But the type of ribosomes involved (cytoplasmic or mitochondrial) is still debated. Here, we investigate the presence and activity of the two types of ribosomes in mature human spermatozoa. By targeting ribosomal RNAs and proteins, we show that both types of ribosomes are localized in the midpiece as well as in the neck and the base of the head of the spermatozoa. We assessed the impact of cycloheximide (CHX) and chloramphenicol (CP), inhibitors of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ribosomes, respectively, on different sperm parameters. Neither CHX, nor CP impacted sperm vitality, mitochondrial activity (measured through the ATP content), or capacitation (measured through the content in phosphotyrosines). However, increasing CP concentrations induced a decrease in total and progressive motilities as well as on some kinematic parameters while no effect was observed with CHX. A quantitative proteomic analysis was performed by mass spectrometry in SWATH mode to compare the proteomes of spermatozoa capacitated in the absence or presence of the two ribosome inhibitors. Among the ∼700 proteins identified in the different tested conditions, 3, 3 and 25 proteins presented a modified abundance in the presence of 1 and 2 mg/ml of CHX, and 1 mg/ml of CP, respectively. The observed abundance variations of some CP-down regulated proteins were validated using Multiple-Reaction Monitoring (MRM). Taken together, our results are in favor of an activity of mitochondrial ribosomes. Their inhibition by CP results in a decrease in the abundance of several proteins, at least FUNDC2 and QRICH2, and consequently induces sperm motility deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Bisconti
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Leroy
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology, CISMa, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Meurig T. Gallagher
- Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Birmingham, Centre for Human Reproductive Science, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Coralie Senet
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Arcolia
- Clinique de Fertilité Régionale de Mons, CHU Ambroise Paré Hospital, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology, CISMa, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Jackson C. Kirkman-Brown
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Centre for Human Reproductive Science, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-François Simon
- Clinique de Fertilité Régionale de Mons, CHU Ambroise Paré Hospital, Mons, Belgium
| | - Elise Hennebert
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Elise Hennebert,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bochiński A, Sujenthiran A, Al-Hussini M, Fruhwirth GO, Shabbir M, Yap T. 18 F-FDG PET/CT use in functional assessment of the testes: A systematic review. Andrology 2021; 9:1410-1421. [PMID: 34019736 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our study analysed previous studies employing positron emission tomography with co-registered computer tomography (PET/CT) in andrological patient evaluation and assessed the differences in 2-[18 F]F-fluoro-2'-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake between three groups: healthy testes, benign and malignant testicular pathology. METHODS Medline and Embase were systematically searched for studies involving FDG-PET/CT imaging of testes with results expressed as mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean ). A one-way ANOVA was used to compare SUVmean between three groups. All papers assessing andrological parameters were pooled to compare fertility data. RESULTS Seventeen studies, including three relating to fertility diagnosis, with a total of 830 patients, were included in the review. One-way ANOVA showed a statistical difference between mean values of tracer SUVmean in healthy and malignant testes (Dif. = -2.77, 95% CI = -4.32 to 1.21, p < 0.01) as well as benign and malignant (Dif. = -2.95, 95% CI = -4.33 to -1.21, p < 0.01) but no difference between healthy and benign (Dif. = 0.19, 95% CI = -0.96 to 1.33, p = 0.90). There is some evidence to suggest that FDG uptake and testicular volume are positively correlated to total sperm count, sperm concentration and sperm motility and that germ cells are likely to account for the majority of testicular FDG accumulation. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that malignant testicular lesions demonstrate a significantly higher FDG uptake than benign testicular lesions or healthy testes. Some evidence also suggests that FDG-PET could visualise metabolic activity and thus spermatogenesis; however more studies are required to determine whether FDG-PET could also be used to diagnose infertility. Further studies should focus on correlating both sex hormone-serum levels and semen analysis results with imaging data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Bochiński
- School of Bioscience Education, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Gilbert O Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Majed Shabbir
- Department of Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Tet Yap
- Department of Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Singh RP, Escobar E, Wildt D, Patel S, Costa GMJ, Pukazhenthi B. Effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate on cryopreserved sheep testicular explants cultured in vitro. Theriogenology 2019; 128:184-192. [PMID: 30772662 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Complete spermatogenesis has been achieved in vitro in mouse testicular explants with resulting sperm used to produce pups after Intra Cytoplasm Sperm Injection and Embryo Transfer. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on spermatogenesis of frozen-thawed lamb testis explants in vitro. Thawed testicular pieces were cultured for 12 d on agarose blocks in serum-free growth medium containing 0, 2, 5 or 10 μM S1P. At the end of D6 and D12, some pieces were fixed and processed for histology. Other pieces were processed for RNA isolation and quantitation of proliferation (PCNA, Ki67) and differentiation (PLZF) markers and genes involved in S1P signaling (S1PR1, SGPL1, SGPP1, AKT1 and NFKBIA) by qPCR. Histology revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in seminiferous cord (SC) diameter under all culture conditions, except 5 and 10 μM S1P by D6. In the presence of 5 μM S1P, percentage of gonocytes decreased (P < 0.05) by D6 (control, 24.9% vs. S1P, 10.3%) with a concomitant increase (P < 0.05) in spermatogonia formation (control, 74.4% vs. S1P, 88.1%). S1P induced PCNA or Ki67 expression by D6, whereas PLZF was up-regulated (P < 0.05) by D6 in 2 μM S1P and D12 in 5 & 10 μM S1P. Expression of SGPL1 and SGPP1 increased 4-12-fold in tissues cultured in 10 μM S1P by D12 compared to D12 control. AKT1 and NFKBIA mRNA expression was low (P < 0.05) in 5 and or 10 μM S1P treatments on D6. These results demonstrate that S1P promotes germ cell proliferation during first week of culture and may exert an anti-apoptotic influence on the seminiferous cord in sheep testicular explants in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ram Pratap Singh
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA; Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty, Coimbatore, India.
| | - Enrique Escobar
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, USA
| | - David Wildt
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Seema Patel
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Guilherme M J Costa
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Budhan Pukazhenthi
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
MR Spectra of Normal Adult Testes and Variations with Age: Preliminary Observations. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:2261-7. [PMID: 26474986 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-4055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim was to determine the proton MR (1H-MR) spectra of normal adult testes and variations with age. METHODS Forty-one MR spectra of normal testes, including 16 testes from men aged 20-39 years (group I) and 25 testes from men aged 40-69 years (group II), were analyzed. A single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS), with TR/TE: 2000/25 ms was used. The volume of interest was placed to include the majority of normal testicular parenchyma. Association between normalized metabolite concentrations, defined as ratios of the calculated metabolite concentrations relative to creatine concentration, and age was assessed. RESULTS Quantified metabolites of the spectra were choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI), scyllo-inositol, taurine, lactate, GLx compound, glucose, lipids, and macromolecules resonating at 0.9 ppm (LM09), around 20 ppm (LM20), and at 13 ppm (LM13). Most prominent peaks were Cho, Cr, mI, and lipids. A weak negative correlation between mI and age (P = 0.015) was observed. Higher normalized concentrations of Cho (P = 0.03), mI (P = 0.08), and LM13 (P = 0.05) were found in group I than in group II. CONCLUSIONS 1H-MR spectra of a normal adult testis showed several metabolite peaks. A decrease of levels of Cho, mI, and LM13 was observed with advancing age. KEY POINTS • Single-voxel PRESS MRS of a normal testis is feasible. • 1H-MR spectra of a normal testis showed several metabolite peaks. • Most prominent peaks were Cho, Cr, mI, and lipids. • A decrease of Cho, mI, and LM13 was seen with advancing age.
Collapse
|
7
|
Tsili AC, Ntorkou A, Baltogiannis D, Sylakos A, Stavrou S, Astrakas LG, Maliakas V, Sofikitis N, Argyropoulou MI. Magnetization transfer imaging of normal and abnormal testis: preliminary results. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:613-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3867-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
8
|
Drug delivery to the testis: current status and potential pathways for the development of novel therapeutics. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2015; 1:351-60. [PMID: 25788421 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-011-0039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Nanotechnology has been increasingly utilized for the targeting and delivery of novel therapeutic agents to different tissues and cell types. The current therapeutic options for testicular disorders fall short in many instances due to difficulty traversing the blood-testis barrier, systemic toxicities, and complicated dosing regiments. For testicular tissue, potential targeting can be obtained either via anatomic methods or specific ligands such as luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone analogs. Potential novel therapeutic agents include DNA, RNA, cytokines, peptide receptor antagonists, peptide receptor agonists, hormones, and enzymes. Nanotherapeutic treatment of testicular cancer, infertility, testicular torsion, orchalgia, hypogonadism, testicular infections, and cryptorchidism within the framework of potential target cells are an emerging area of research. While there are many potential applications of nanotechnology in drug delivery to the testis, this remains a relatively unexplored field. This review highlights the current status as well as potential future of nanotechnology in the development of novel therapeutics for testicular disorders.
Collapse
|
9
|
Teerds KJ, Huhtaniemi IT. Morphological and functional maturation of Leydig cells: from rodent models to primates. Hum Reprod Update 2015; 21:310-28. [PMID: 25724971 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmv008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leydig cells (LC) are the sites of testicular androgen production. Development of LC occurs in the testes of most mammalian species as two distinct growth phases, i.e. as fetal and pubertal/adult populations. In primates there are indications of a third neonatal growth phase. LC androgen production begins in embryonic life and is crucial for the intrauterine masculinization of the male fetal genital tract and brain, and continues until birth after which it rapidly declines. A short post-natal phase of LC activity in primates (including human) termed 'mini-puberty' precedes the period of juvenile quiescence. The adult population of LC evolves, depending on species, in mid- to late-prepuberty upon reawakening of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and these cells are responsible for testicular androgen production in adult life, which continues with a slight gradual decline until senescence. This review is an updated comparative analysis of the functional and morphological maturation of LC in model species with special reference to rodents and primates. METHODS Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched between December 2012 and October 2014. Studies published in languages other than English or German were excluded, as were data in abstract form only. Studies available on primates were primarily examined and compared with available data from specific animal models with emphasis on rodents. RESULTS Expression of different marker genes in rodents provides evidence that at least two distinct progenitor lineages give rise to the fetal LC (FLC) population, one arising from the coelomic epithelium and the other from specialized vascular-associated cells along the gonad-mesonephros border. There is general agreement that the formation and functioning of the FLC population in rodents is gonadotrophin-responsive but not gonadotrophin-dependent. In contrast, although there is in primates some controversy on the role of gonadotrophins in the formation of the FLC population, there is consensus about the essential role of gonadotrophins in testosterone production. Like the FLC population, adult Leydig cells (ALC) in rodents arise from stem cells, which have their origin in the fetal testis. In contrast, in primates the ALC population is thought to originate from FLC, which undergo several cycles of regression and redifferentiation before giving rise to the mature ALC population, as well as from differentiation of stem cells/precursor cells. Despite this difference in origin, both in primates and rodents the formation of the mature and functionally active ALC population is critically dependent on the pituitary gonadotrophin, LH. From studies on rodents considerable knowledge has emerged on factors that are involved besides LH in the regulation of this developmental process. Whether the same factors also play a role in the development of the mature primate LC population awaits further investigation. CONCLUSION Distinct populations of LC develop along the life span of males, including fetal, neonatal (primates) and ALC. Despite differences in the LC lineages of rodents and primates, the end product is a mature population of LC with the main function to provide androgens necessary for the maintenance of spermatogenesis and extra-gonadal androgen actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katja J Teerds
- Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University, De Elst 1, 6709 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, W12 0NN London, UK Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Morphological alterations of all stages of spermatogenesis and acrosome reaction in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 360:401-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2092-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
11
|
(18)F-FDG Uptake of Human Testis on PET/CT: Correlation with Age, Sex Hormones, and Vasectomy. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2011; 45:291-8. [PMID: 24900020 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-011-0108-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate glucose metabolism of normal human testis on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and to assess possible correlations among age, the serum levels of sex hormones, and vasectomy. METHODS (18)F-FDG PET/CT was performed in 66 normal healthy men (50.8 ± 13.6 years, range 22-81), and mean standard uptake values (SUV) of (18)F-FDG in testis and adductor muscle were measured. Testis-muscle SUV ratios (T/M ratios) were calculated. Serum levels of total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, and of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. We searched for correlations between T/M ratios and age and the serum concentrations of sex hormones. (18)F-FDG PET/CT was also performed in 32 vasectomized men (55.7 ± 7.8 years, range 38-71) and 52 nonvasectomized men (55.4 ± 11.6 years, range 37-72). Mean SUVs of testis and adductor muscle were measured, and T/M ratios were calculated. RESULTS A significant age-related decline was found in T/M ratio (r = -0.509, p < 0.0001). Serum levels of total testosterone and free testosterone were also found to be positively correlated with T/M ratio (r = 0.427, p = 0.0003; r = 0.435, p = 0.0003, respectively). The mean SUV and T/M ratio of vasectomized men were significantly lower than those of nonvasectomized men (p < 0.0378 and p = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Glucose metabolism in the testis in an adult population was found to be correlated with age, serum sex hormone level, and vasectomy history. These results indicate that testicular (18)F-FDG uptake may have attributed to testicular function and testicular histology. Our findings may have important implications for the interpretation of testicular (18)F-FDG uptake in the normal adult population.
Collapse
|
12
|
Suphamungmee W, Wanichanon C, Vanichviriyakit R, Sobhon P. Spermiogenesis and chromatin condensation in the common tree shrew, Tupaia glis. Cell Tissue Res 2007; 331:687-99. [PMID: 18095001 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-007-0557-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the cellular characteristics, especially chromatin condensation and the basic nuclear protein profile, during spermiogenesis in the common tree shrew, Tupaia glis. Spermatids could be classified into Golgi phase, cap phase, acrosome phase, and maturation phase. During the Golgi phase, chromatin was composed of 10-nm and 30-nm fibers with few 50-nm to 60-nm knobby fibers. The latter were then transformed into 70-nm knobby fibers during the cap phase. In the acrosome phase, all fibers were packed into the highest-order knobby fibers, each about 80-100 nm in width. These chromatin fibers became tightly packed in the maturation phase. In a mature spermatozoon, the discoid-shaped head was occupied by the acrosome and completely condensed chromatin. H3, the core histone, was detected by immunostaining in all nuclei of germ cell stages, except in spermatid steps 15-16 and spermatozoa. Protamine, the basic nuclear protein causing the tight packing of sperm chromatin, was detected by immunofluorescence in the nuclei of spermatids at steps 12-16 and spermatozoa. Cross-immunoreactivity of T. glis H3 and protamine to those of primates suggests the evolutionary resemblance of these nuclear basic proteins in primate germ cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Worawit Suphamungmee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bart J, Hollema H, Groen HJM, de Vries EGE, Hendrikse NH, Sleijfer DT, Wegman TD, Vaalburg W, van der Graaf WTA. The distribution of drug-efflux pumps, P-gp, BCRP, MRP1 and MRP2, in the normal blood-testis barrier and in primary testicular tumours. Eur J Cancer 2004; 40:2064-70. [PMID: 15341980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2004.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2003] [Revised: 05/10/2004] [Accepted: 05/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The drug-efflux pumps P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) are present in the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and may hamper the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the testis. The precise localisation of P-gp and MRP1 in testicular tissue and the presence of the efflux pumps MRP2 and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in the BTB are unknown. We therefore studied the localisation of these pumps in the BTB in normal testis (n = 12), in non-seminoma (n = 10) seminoma (n = 10), and testicular lymphoma (n = 9). Slides were scored semi-quantitatively for P-gp, MRP1, MRP2 and BCRP and blood vessels with factor VIII antibody. In normal testis, P-gp and BCRP were strongly expressed by myoid cells and luminal capillary endothelial wall and P-gp also by Leydig cells. MRP1 was observed at the basal side of Sertoli cells and on Leydig cells. MRP2 was only weakly expressed by myoid cells. Seminomas and non-seminomas expressed P-gp and/or BCRP and/or MRP1, lymphomas strongly expressed P-gp, weakly expressed BCRP and did not or showed weak expression of MRP1. There was very little staining for MRP2 in the tumours. Newly formed vessels in all tumours only expressed P-gp and BCRP. P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 are present in different cell layers of the normal testis, suggesting the optimal protection of spermatogenesis. In germ cell tumours, this expression pattern may explain the chemoresistance observed to P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 substrates. In germ cell tumours and testicular lymphomas, P-gp and BCRP expression by tumour cells and by newly formed vessels may also contribute to chemoresistance. These findings underscore the importance of removing the affected testis in cases of primary germ cell tumours and testicular lymphomas, irrespective of whether the patient has already undergone chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Bart
- Department of Pathology, Groningen University Hospital, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bart J, Groen HJM, van der Graaf WTA, Hollema H, Hendrikse NH, Vaalburg W, Sleijfer DT, de Vries EGE. An oncological view on the blood-testis barrier. Lancet Oncol 2002; 3:357-63. [PMID: 12107023 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(02)00776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The function of the blood-testis barrier is to protect germ cells from harmful influences; thus, it also impedes the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the testis. The barrier has three components: first, a physicochemical barrier consisting of continuous capillaries, Sertoli cells in the tubular wall, connected together with narrow tight junctions, and a myoid-cell layer around the seminiferous tubule. Second, an efflux-pump barrier that contains P-glycoprotein in the luminal capillary endothelium and on the myoid-cell layer; and multidrug-resistance associated protein 1 located basolaterally on Sertoli cells. Third, an immunological barrier, consisting of Fas ligand on Sertoli cells. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein function offers the opportunity to increase the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the testis. In the future, visualisation of function in the blood-testis barrier may also be helpful to identify groups of patients in whom testis conservation is safe or to select drugs that are less harmful to fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joost Bart
- Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and PET Center, University Hospital Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
|
16
|
|
17
|
Cummins JM, Jequier AM, Kan R. Molecular biology of human male infertility: links with aging, mitochondrial genetics, and oxidative stress? Mol Reprod Dev 1994; 37:345-62. [PMID: 8185940 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1080370314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J M Cummins
- School of Veterinary Studies, Murdoch University, Western Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|