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Purkart L, Sigl-Glöckner J, Brecht M. Constant innervation despite pubertal growth of the mouse penis. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:2269-2279. [PMID: 32090331 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The sexual characteristics of the vertebrate body change under the control of sex hormones. In mammals, genitals undergo major changes in puberty. While such bodily changes have been well documented, the associated changes in the nervous system are poorly understood. To address this issue, we studied the growth and innervation of the mouse penis throughout puberty. To this end, we measured length and thickness of the mouse penis in prepubertal (3-4 week old) and adult (8-10 week old) mice and performed fiber counts of the dorsal penile nerve. We obtained such counts with confocal imaging of proximal sections of the mouse penis after paraffin embedding and antibody staining against Protein-Gene-Product-9.5 or Neurofilament-H in combination with antigen retrieval procedures. We find that the mouse penis grows roughly 1.4 times in both thickness and length. Fiber counts in the dorsal penile nerve were not different in prepubertal (1,620 ± 165 fibers per penis) and adult (1,572 ± 383 fibers per penis) mice, however. Antibody staining along with myelin staining by Luxol-Fast-Blue suggested about 57% of penile nerve fibers were myelinated. Quantification of the area of mouse somatosensory penis cortex allowed us to compare cortical magnification of the penile cortex and the whisker-barrel-cortex systems. This comparison suggested that 2 to 4 times less cortical area is devoted to a penile-nerve-fiber than to a whisker-nerve-fiber. The constant innervation of mouse penis through puberty suggests that the pubertal increase of cortical magnification of the penis is not simply a reflection of peripheral change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Purkart
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Sigl-Glöckner
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Sigl-Glöckner J, Maier E, Takahashi N, Sachdev R, Larkum M, Brecht M. Effects of Sexual Experience and Puberty on Mouse Genital Cortex revealed by Chronic Imaging. Curr Biol 2019; 29:3588-3599.e4. [PMID: 31630949 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.08.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The topographic map in layer 4 of somatosensory cortex is usually specified early postnatally and stable thereafter. Genital cortex, however, undergoes a sex-hormone- and sexual-touch-dependent pubertal expansion. Here, we image pubertal development of genital cortex in Scnn1a-Tg3-Cre mice, where transgene expression has been shown to be restricted to layer 4 neurons with primary sensory cortex identity. Interestingly, during puberty, the number of Scnn1a+ neurons roughly doubled within genital cortex. The increase of Scnn1a+ neurons was gradual and rapidly advanced by initial sexual experience. Neurons that gained Scnn1a expression comprised stellate and pyramidal neurons in layer 4. Unlike during neonatal development, pyramids did not retract their apical dendrites during puberty. Calcium imaging revealed stronger genital-touch responses in Scnn1a+ neurons in males versus females and a developmental increase in responsiveness in females. The first sexual interaction is a unique physical experience that often creates long-lasting memories. We suggest such experience uniquely alters somatosensory body maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Sigl-Glöckner
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eduard Maier
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10437 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Sachdev
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10437 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthew Larkum
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10437 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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Arsenic exposure during prepuberty alters prostate maturation in pubescent rats. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 89:136-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Guo Y, Li JM, Xiang Y, Li YY, Huang J, Deng XZ, Yang ZW. Quantitative (stereological) study of the epididymis and seminal vesicle in the rat from young to old. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13247. [PMID: 30734343 DOI: 10.1111/and.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a scarcity of morphometric data on the developmental and ageing changes in the epididymis and seminal vesicle in young and old rats. Eighty-six normal male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly sampled from a cohort of animals aged 1-36 months (7-9 animals each age group). The epididymis and seminal vesicle (with the closely attached coagulating gland) were removed, and methacrylate resin-embedded sections were prepared for quantitative study of key histological structures by light microscopy. Stereological methods (point counting and optical disector) were used to estimate the total volumes of sperm mass, secretion (glandular lumen) and other structures and the number of spermatozoa. The results showed that the rapid growth of the reproductive organs was between 1 and 4 months of age. The epididymis stored the largest volume of sperm mass or number of spermatozoa at 12 months of age, but thereafter until 36 months of age, the sperm storage did not markedly diminish. The volume of secretion stored in the seminal vesicular gland declined by more than 35% from a plateau at 12-18 months until 36 months of age while that in the coagulating gland declined by more than 30% from a plateau at 18-24 months until 36 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Guo
- Morphometric Research Laboratory, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jin-Ming Li
- Department of Urological Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yu Xiang
- Morphometric Research Laboratory, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yang-You Li
- Animal Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Animal Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xian-Zhong Deng
- Department of Urological Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Yang
- Morphometric Research Laboratory, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
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Reckmann AN, Tomczyk CUM, Davidoff MS, Michurina TV, Arnhold S, Müller D, Mietens A, Middendorff R. Nestin in the epididymis is expressed in vascular wall cells and is regulated during postnatal development and in case of testosterone deficiency. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194585. [PMID: 29874225 PMCID: PMC5991371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), distinguished by the expression of the neuronal stem cell marker nestin, may represent stem cell-like progenitor cells in various organs including the testis. We investigated epididymal tissues of adult nestin-GFP mice, rats after Leydig cell depletion via ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS), rats and mice during postnatal development and human tissues. By use of Clarity, a histochemical method to illustrate a three-dimensional picture, we could demonstrate nestin-GFP positive cells within the vascular network. We localized nestin in the epididymis in proliferating vascular SMCs by colocalization with both smooth muscle actin and PCNA, and it was distinct from CD31-positive endothelial cells. The same nestin localization was found in the human epididymis. However, nestin was not found in SMCs of the epididymal duct. Nestin expression is high during postnatal development of mouse and rat and down-regulated towards adulthood when testosterone levels increase. Nestin increases dramatically in rats after Leydig cell ablation with EDS and subsequently low testosterone levels. Interestingly, during this period, the expression of androgen receptor in the epididymis is low and increases until nestin reaches normal levels of adulthood. Here we show that nestin, a common marker for neuronal stem cells, is also expressed in the vasculature of the epididymis. Our results give new insights into the yet underestimated role of proliferating nestin-expressing vascular SMCs during postnatal development and repair of the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansgar N Reckmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Claudia U M Tomczyk
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michail S Davidoff
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tatyana V Michurina
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
- Center for Developmental Genetics and Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States of America
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stefan Arnhold
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dieter Müller
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Mietens
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralf Middendorff
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Onaolapo OJ, Onaolapo AY, Omololu TA, Oludimu AT, Segun-Busari T, Omoleke T. Exogenous Testosterone, Aging, and Changes in Behavioral Response of Gonadally Intact Male Mice. J Exp Neurosci 2016; 10:59-70. [PMID: 27158222 PMCID: PMC4854217 DOI: 10.4137/jen.s39042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that aging significantly affects the influence of exogenous testosterone on neurobehavior in gonadally intact male mice. Groups of prepubertal and aged male mice received daily vehicle or testosterone propionate (TP; 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.]) for 21 days. Behaviors were assessed on days 1 and 21. Weight gain was significant in prepubertal mice. Locomotion and rearing increased in prepubertal mice after first dose and decreased after last dose of TP. Rearing was suppressed in aged mice throughout. Suppression of grooming occurred in both age groups at day 21. Significant increase in working memory in both age groups was seen in the radial-arm maze (at specific doses) and in prepubertal mice in the Y-maze. Elevated plus maze test showed mixed anxiolytic/anxiogenic effects. Aged mice had higher serum testosterone. In conclusion, age is an important determinant for the influence of exogenous testosterone on behavior in gonadally intact male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olakunle J Onaolapo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Adejoke Y Onaolapo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Tope A Omololu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Adedunke T Oludimu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Toluwalase Segun-Busari
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Omoleke
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
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