Expression of estrogen receptors α and β in paratesticular tissues in boys operated on for unilateral cryptorchidism between the 1st and 4th years of life

Identification of the Bisphenol A (BPA) and the Two Analogues BPS and BPF in Cryptorchidism

OBJECTIVE

to explore the association of plasma concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) with unilateral cryptorchidism. In addition, to analyze selected demographic and intraoperative characteristics.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis to determine plasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) among prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism and prebupertal male control subjects. During operation, the size, turgor and location of the cryptorchid testes were assessed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Plasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF.

RESULTS

In children with cryptorchidism, plasma levels of BPA, BPS and BPF were significantly higher compared to the control subjects. For BPA, it was: median value: 9.95 ng/mL vs. 5.54 ng/mL, p<0.05. For BPS, it was: median value: 3.93 ng/mL vs. 1.45 ng/mL, p<0.001. For BPF, it was: median value: 3.56 ng/mL vs. 1.83 ng/mL, p<0.05. In cryptorchid group, BPA was detected in 61.4% samples, BPS in 19.3% and BPF in 19.3%. All the three bisphenols were detected in plasma samples of both the healthy subjects and the study cohort. In the latter group, we found significant higher levels of BPA in boys from urban areas. We found a weak positive correlation between the levels of BPS and BPF and reduced turgor of the testes. Furthermore, results showed weak positive correlations between BPA and BPS levels and the age of the children as well as between BPS and BPF concentrations and the place of residence.

CONCLUSIONS

Results provide a first characterization of prepubertal boys suffering from cryptorchidism and exposed to different kind of bisphenols. Our study suggests that cryptorchid boys are widely exposed to BPA and, to a lesser extent, also to its alternatives, such as BPS and BPF.

Antagonistic Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on a Rat Model with Unilateral Cryptorchidism

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on germ cell apoptosis in a rat model of unilateral cryptorchidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into a control group, a model group, and a Cuscuta group (5.0 g/kg/d) (n=10). The rat model of unilateral cryptorchidism in the model and Cuscuta groups was established by removal of the right gubernaculum, while rats in the control group received no treatment. After modeling, rats in the Cuscuta chinensis group were intragastrically administered Cuscuta chinensis extract (5.0 g/kg/d), while rats in the control group and model group were administered an equal volume of normal saline. After 90 days, all the rats were sacrificed and the testicles were separated and weighed, followed by TUNEL staining to detect germ cell apoptosis, flow cytometry to measure JC-1, ROS, and MDA, and Western blot analysis to evaluate the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase3. RESULTS Ninety days after the operation, Cuscuta chinensis Lam significantly minimized the damage caused by modeling by increasing weight of testis, reducing the germ cell apoptosis, and enhancing the mitochondrial membrane potential of testicles, as shown by levels of JC-1, ROS, and MDA, as well as elevating the level of Bcl-2/Bax and reducing the level of cleaved caspase3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with Cuscuta chinensis Lam reduced the germ cell apoptosis in rats with unilateral cryptorchidism, which provides new insight for the development of cryptorchidism therapy in the future.

The Impact of Bisphenol A on Fertility, Reproductive System, and Development: A Review of the Literature

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been used since the 1950s, in food packaging, industrial materials, dental sealants, and personal hygiene products. Everyone is exposed to BPA through skin, inhalation, and digestive system. BPA disrupts endocrine pathways, because it has weak estrogenic, antiandrogenic, and antithyroid activities. Despite the rapid metabolism, BPA can accumulate in different tissues. Many researchers proved the impact of BPA on human development, metabolism, and finally reproductive system. There is increasing evidence that BPA has impact on human fertility and is responsible for the reproductive pathologies, e.g., testicular dysgenesis syndrome, cryptorchidism, cancers, and decreased fertility in male and follicle loss in female.

Overexpression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) in boys with cryptorchidism

Background

The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulate p53, caspase and Bcl-2 family proteins, and is crucial for the degradation of the defective germ cells in testes. Purpose: to evaluate the concentration of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) in the blood plasma of boys with cryptorchidism and if there is any correlation with patient age.

Methods

Patients—50 boys aged 1–4 years (median = 2,4y.) with unilateral cryptorchidism. Exclusion criteria were: previous human chorionic gonadotropin treatment, an abnormal karyotype, endocrine or immunological disorders or any long-term medication. The control group—50 healthy, age matched boys (aged 1–4 years, median = 2,1y.), admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department for planned herniotomy. To investigate UCHL1 in blood plasma of boys with cryptorchidism, we used a novel technique Surface PLASMON RESONANCE Imaging (SPRI).

Results

The median concentration of UCHL1 in the blood plasma of boys with cryptorchidism, was 5-folds higher than in boys with inguinal hernia, whose testicles were located in the scrotum. We also noticed statistically significant difference between UCHL1 levels in boys with cryptorchidism up to 2 years old, and above 2 years old. Older boys, whose testicles since birth were located in the inguinal pouch or in the abdominal cavity, had higher concentration of UCHL1 in their blood plasma, than boys from younger group. In the group of cryptorchid boys, we also found slightly lower concentrations of INSL3, without statistical significance and no correlation with UCHL1 levels.

Conclusions

Uchl1 concentrations in the blood plasma of boys with cryptorchidism, may reflect the heat-induced apoptosis of germ cells. Higher UCHL1 concentrations in older boys with undescended testicles, probably express intensity of germ cell apoptosis, more extensive when testicles are subjected to heat-stress for longer period. Further analyses of UCHL1 may help to elucidate its role in mechanisms influencing spermatogenesis.

Differential expression of estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor in the normal and cryptorchid testis of a dog

Descending of the testes is an important process for spermatogenesis and cryptorchidism is one of the most relevant genital defects in dogs. In a previous study, we observed abnormal morphology and proliferation of Sertoli cells in a cryptorchid testis. In the present study, we investigated the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the normal and cryptorchid testis of a dog. Elective orchidectomy was performed on the dog's abdominal right testis (undescended, cryptorchid) and scrotal left testis (descended, normal). In the normal testis, estrogen receptor α immunoreactivity was detected in Leydig cells alone, while estrogen receptor α immunoreactivity in the cryptorchid testis was significantly prominent in the Sertoli cells as well. In addition, progesterone receptor immunoreactivity in the control testis was detected in the spermatids, but was not detected in the cryptorchid testis. This result suggests that unilateral cryptorchidism causes increases of estrogen receptor α expression in Sertoli cells.

Serum Bisphenol A Level in Boys with Cryptorchidism: A Step to Male Infertility?

Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital birth defect in boys and affects about 2-4% full-term male neonates. Its etiology is multifactorial. Purpose. To evaluate the serum bisphenol A (BPA) levels in boys with cryptorchidism and healthy boys and to assess the risk of environmental exposure to BPA using the authors' questionnaire. The data were acquired from a study on boys with cryptorchidism (n = 98) and a control group (n = 57). Prior to surgery, all patients had BPA serum levels evaluated. The size, position, rigidity of the testis, and abnormality of the epididymis of the undescended testis were assessed. Parents also completed a questionnaire on the risks of exposure to BPA in everyday life. Results. The testes in both groups were similar in size. The turgor of the undescended testis in the group of boys with cryptorchidism was decreased. Free serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The conjugated serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). Total serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Serum total BPA level was related with a positive answer about problems with conception (p < 0.02). Conclusion. Our study indicated that high serum BPA was associated with cryptorchidism.