Testosterone regulates granzyme K expression in rat testes

Acute effects of para-chloroamphetamine on testosterone and markers of apoptosis in seminiferous epithelium of prepubertal male rats

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects the secretion of gonadotropins and testosterone. In prepubertal male rats, serotonin has a stimulating role in testosterone secretion. Here, we used prepubertal male rats to study the effects of para-chloroamphetamine (pCA) on circulating testosterone and gonadotropins and markers of apoptosis in germ cells from day 1 to day 5 post-treatment. The intraperitoneal administration of pCA induced a significant reduction in concentrations of hypothalamic serotonin and circulating testosterone, but gonadotropins were not affected. In the seminiferous epithelium of pCA-treated rats, increased the number of germ cells positive to markers of apoptosis, concomitantly with alterations in morphometry and the presence of multinucleated germ cells. Levels of testosterone were reduced starting from 1 day after pCA was administered. The time window between the administration of the pCA and collection of samples was sufficient to detect changes in testosterone levels, in contrast with a previous work where no changes were found. There was a possible relationship between the reduction of testosterone and an increase in the number of germ cells positive to apoptosis markers. However, the mechanism that links pCA-testosterone-germ cell positive to markers of apoptosis is unknown. Our outcomes support the view that pCA exposure during the prepubertal stage has an acute impact on testosterone levels and affects the structure and physiology of seminiferous epithelium.

Soy Formula Is Not Estrogenic and Does Not Result in Reproductive Toxicity in Male Piglets: Results from a Controlled Feeding Study

Soy infant formula which is fed to over half a million infants per year contains isoflavones such as genistein, which have been shown to be estrogenic at high concentrations. The developing testis is sensitive to estrogens, raising concern that the use of soy formulas may result in male reproductive toxicity. In the current study, male White-Dutch Landrace piglets received either sow milk (Sow), or were provided milk formula (Milk), soy formula (Soy), milk formula supplemented with 17-beta-estradiol (2 mg/kg/d) (M + E2) or supplemented with genistein (84 mg/L of diet; (M + G) from postnatal day 2 until day 21. E2 treatment reduced testis weight (p < 0.05) as percentage of body weight, significantly suppressed serum androgen concentrations, increased tubule area, Germ cell and Sertoli cell numbers (p < 0.05) relative to those of Sow or Milk groups. Soy formula had no such effects relative to Sow or Milk groups. mRNAseq revealed 103 differentially expressed genes in the M + E2 group compared to the Milk group related to endocrine/metabolic disorders. However, little overlap was observed between the other treatment groups. These data suggest soy formula is not estrogenic in the male neonatal piglet and that soy formula does not significantly alter male reproductive development.

Amelioration on oxidative stress, testosterone, and cortisol levels after administration of Vitamins C and E in albino rats with chronic variable stress

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Stress can cause physiological and biological disorders in the body. On the other hand, antioxidants from vitamins and minerals are effective for stress treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the administration of Vitamins C and E on serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), testosterone, and cortisol activity in albino rats with chronic variable stress (CVS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty albino rats were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: C was administered normal saline; T1 was administered Vitamins C and E; T2 was only induced CVS; and T3 was induced CVS followed by Vitamins C and E administration. All treatments were applied for 4 weeks, respectively. Furthermore, 5 mL of blood samples were collected intracardially. Body weight data were collected for the initial and final weights. From serum samples, SOD, GPx, and CAT were measured using the enzymol method; MDA was measured using the high-performance liquid chromatography method; and testosterone and cortisol were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. All variables were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance followed by the Duncan test (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Our findings showed that the T1 and T3 groups significantly decreased (p<0.001) compared to T2 in the following parameters: SOD, MDA, GPx, and cortisol. Meanwhile, CAT and testosterone levels in the T1 and T3 groups were significantly increased (p<0.001) compared to the T2 group. In addition, the weight gain in T1 and T3 groups was significantly increased (p<0.001) compared to T2 group.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the administration of Vitamins C and E had a significant effect to alleviate SOD, MDA, GPx, and cortisol and to improve the testosterone level in albino rats with CVS.

Association of Perforin and Granzyme-B Levels with Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is shown to be associated with hyperandrogenemia and has some features such as cytotoxic T-cells activation and release of perforin and granzyme-B. Present work was aimed to investigate the relation of perforin and granzyme-B to androgenic state in PCOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty three PCOS and 40 control women were recruited. After recording demographic data, sex hormone status and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were evaluated. Perforin and granzyme-B levels were measured using sandwich ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were lower in patients. Luteinizing hormone (LH), free testosterone (FT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), free androgen index (FAI), perforin and granzyme-B values were higher in PCOS group. Perforin and granzyme-B were positively correlated with FT and FAI and with each other in PCOS group. In patients, granzyme-B and perforin were related with FT and FAI, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of present study together with evidences about the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in insulin resistance, CVD and PCOS suggest that perforin/granzyme-B may be involved in interactions of sex hormones system in PCOS patients.

Ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS) ablation of Leydig cells in adult rat depletes testosterone resulting in epididymal sperm granuloma: Testosterone replacement prevents granuloma formation

Sperm granuloma may develop in the epididymis following vasectomy or chemical insults. Inflammation due to sperm granuloma causes abdominal and scrotal pain. Prolonged and persistent inflammation in the epididymis due to sperm granuloma may lead to infertility. Extravasation of germ cells into the interstitium of epididymis following damage of the epididymal epithelium is one of the primary reasons for sperm granuloma-associated pathology. Since testosterone is vital for the maintenance of epididymal epithelium, we investigated the pathology of sperm granuloma and its relationship with testosterone. Adult rats were treated with a Leydig cell-specific toxicant ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS) to eliminate testosterone. At 7 days post-EDS, disrupted epididymal epithelium and sperm granuloma were observed in the caput epididymis. Sperm granuloma and caput were collagen-filled indicating fibrosis. Numerous round apoptotic cells were localized inside the caput lumen and dispersed through the sperm granuloma. Tnp1 (round spermatid marker) was significantly higher in the epididymis of the EDS-treated group compared to controls suggesting the apoptotic cells were round spermatids. Increases in CD68⁺ macrophages and T cells (CD4 and CD8) support an inflammatory immune infiltration in post-EDS epididymis. However, testosterone replacement following EDS prevented the sperm granuloma-associated pathology. We suggest that the immune response in the sperm granuloma may be due to the increased numbers of apoptotic round spermatids or other testicular tissue components that may be released, in addition to the regression of epididymal epithelium due to testosterone loss. Thus, testosterone replacement prevents EDS-induced sperm granuloma and ameliorates sperm granuloma-associated pathology.