Testicular development of the Mongolian gerbil : postnatal differentiation of germ and Leydig cells

Orientador: Rejane Maira GoesTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: O gerbilo da Mongólia (Meriones unguiculatus) tem sido utilizado de maneira crescente em estudos sobre o sistema genital masculino. Alguns aspectos da espermatogênese e o ciclo do epitélio seminífero dessa espécie são conhecidos, mas investigações sobre o desenvolvimento pós-natal do testículo e diferenciação das suas principais populações celulares são incipientes. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os eventos envolvidos com a diferenciação das células germinativas e de Leydig durante o desenvolvimento pós-natal, estabelecer o período de maturação testicular, e descrever a dinâmica das populações de células de Leydig do nascimento à senilidade. Foram utilizados gerbilos machos com 1-6 dias, 1-8 semanas, 3 e 18 meses de idade. Os diferentes tipos celulares foram identificados com base em microscopia de luz de alta resolução, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e imunocitoquímica para marcadores específicos da linhagem germinativa (VASA) e das células de Leydig adultas (enzimas 3ß-hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase - 3ß-HSD e 11ß-hidroxiesteróide esteróide desidrogenase 1- 11ß-HSD1). Reações imunocitoquímicas para o receptor de andrógeno (AR), para o marcador de células em proliferação (PCNA) e técnica para marcação de células apoptóticas (TUNEL), bem como análises estereológicas dos componentes testiculares e determinação dos níveis séricos de testosterona e estrógeno também foram efetuadas. O processo de migração dos gonócitos para a membrana basal no gerbilo se estende até a segunda semana pós-natal, sendo seguido da sua rápida diferenciação em proespermatogonias. Diferentemente de outros roedores, os eventos relativos à maturação dos gonócitos e sua diferenciação em células da linhagem espermatogonial é mais longo, ocorrem assincronicamente entre os cordões seminíferos e estão associados à perda de sensibilidade ao andrógeno. O desenvolvimento da população de células de Leydig adultas (CLA) envolve quatro estágios progressivos de maturação: as células de Leydig adultas progenitoras, as recém-formadas, as imaturas e as maduras, as quais surgiram, respectivamente com duas, quatro, cinco e seis semanas de idade. As células de Leydig adultas maduras exibem núcleo excêntrico e irregular e um canalículo citoplasmático perinuclear. Também apresentam heterogeneidade funcional em relação à expressão do AR e da enzima 11ß-HSD1. As mudanças que ocorrem no insterstício testicular do gerbilo durante o desenvolvimento pós-natal são muito similares às encontradas em outros roedores, no entanto, o número de células de Leydig fetais permanece constante até a senilidade. Adicionalmente, o surgimento e aumento da população de células de Leydig adultas ocorrem mais tardiamente em relação a outros roedores. A análise histológica indicou que a maturidade testicular no gerbilo ocorre por volta da décima segunda semana de idade. Os níveis séricos de testosterona aumentaram expressivamente a partir da sexta semana de idade, enquanto os de estrógeno permaneceram constantes até a décima segunda semana de idade. Nos animais senis houve uma queda acentuada de ambos os hormônios. O comprometimento da síntese de esteróides nesse último período decorre do prejuízo funcional das CLA. O presente estudo fornece um panorama abrangente do desenvolvimento testicular do gerbilo da Mongólia, ampliando o conhecimento sobre a biologia reprodutiva dessa espécie e proporcionado os fundamentos para o desenvolvimento de estudos experimentais.Abstract: The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been increasingly used with studies on the male genital system. Some aspects of spermatogenesis and the seminiferous epithelium cycle of this species are known, but investigations about the postnatal development of testis and differentiation of the main cell populations are incipient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the events involved in differentiation of germ cells and Leydig cells during postnatal development, establish the period of testicular maturation, and describe the dynamics of Leydig cells population from birth to senility. Male gerbils were used with 1-6 days, 1-8 weeks, 3 and 18 months of age. The different cell types were identified based on light microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry for specific markers of germ line (VASA) and adult Leydig cells (enzyme 3 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase - 3 ß-HSD and 11 ß- hydroxysteroid steroid dehydrogenase 1 - 11 ß-HSD1). Reactions observed for the androgen receptor (AR), for cell proliferation marker (PCNA), technique for marking apoptotic cells (TUNEL), stereological analysis of testicular components and determination of serum levels of testosterone and estrogen were also made. The process of gonocytes migration to the basement membrane in the gerbil extends to the second postnatal week, being followed by their rapid differentiation to proespermatogonia. Unlike other rodents, the events on the gonocytes maturation and differentiation into espermatogonial cell lineage are longer, occur asynchronously between the seminiferous cords and are associated with loss of sensitivity to androgen. The development of the adult Leydig cells (ALC) population involves four progressive stages of maturation: the adult Leydig cell progenitor, newly formed, immature and mature, which appeared respectively with two, four, five and six weeks of age. Mature ALC exhibit irregular and eccentric nuclei and a perinuclear cytoplasmic canaliculus. Also present functional heterogeneity in expression of AR and the enzyme 11 ß-HSD1. The changes occurring in gerbil testicular insterstitium during postnatal development are very similar to those found in other rodents, however, the number of fetal Leydig cells remains constant until senility. Additionally, the emergence and increase of ALC population occur later in relation to other rodents. Histological analysis indicated that the testicular maturity in the gerbil occurs around the twelfth week of age. Serum levels of testosterone significantly increased from the sixth week of age, while the estrogen remained constant until the twelfth week of age. In senile animals there were a sharp fall of both hormones. The impairment of the steroid synthesis in this last period comes from the functional injury of the CLA. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the testicular development of the Mongolian gerbil, expanding knowledge about the reproductive biology of this species and providing the foundation for the development of experimental studies.DoutoradoBiologia CelularDoutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutura

Influence of estrogen and anti-estrogen tamoxifen on the testicular dynamics of rats

Orientador: Rejane Maira GoesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Embora seja bem conhecido que o estrógeno é essencial para o adequado desenvolvimento embrionário e maturação pós-natal do testículo, seu papel específico para a fisiologia testicular e em especial para a espermatogênese ainda permanece pouco compreendido. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o impacto da administração subcutânea de uma dose única (35 mg/kg de peso corporal) de benzoato de estradiol e do anti-estrógeno Tamoxifeno sobre o testículo de ratos jovens (5 semanas de idade). Os efeitos do desequilíbrio hormonal passageiro foram avaliados uma (curto prazo) e sete semanas (médio prazo) após os referidos tratamentos com o uso de análises de rotina em microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, associadas a análises morfométricas e estereológicas e também pelo método de TUNEL para a detecção de células apoptóticas. O estrógeno afetou mais drasticamente a estrutura testicular e a espermatogênese quando comparado com o Tamoxifeno. Em curto prazo, a exposição à alta dose de estrógeno reduziu em 50% o peso testicular, diminuiu o diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos e a população de células de Sertoli, induziu um aumento na apoptose das espermátides alongadas acarretando seu desaparecimento. Embora o índice gônadosomático tenha se recuperado sete semanas após a injeção de estrógeno, a taxa de apoptose das células germinativas ainda permanece 5 vezes mais alta e o número de espermátides alongadas é muito inferior ao encontrado nos animais controle. Em curto prazo, a exposição ao Tamoxifeno foi menos prejudicial para o testículo de ratos jovens em comparação com o estrógeno, mas, em médio prazo, resultou em alguns efeitos semelhantes tais como redução do diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos, incidência elevada de células germinativas apoptóticas, e atrofia de células de Leydig. A partir dos resultados obtidos concluímos, que tanto a exposição passageira ao estrógeno como ao Tamoxifeno interfere negativamente na dinâmica testicular de ratos jovens, levando a danos na espermatogênese que persistem nos animais adultos com uma provável redução da fertilidadeAbstract: Although it is a consensus that estrogen is essential for normal embryonic development and postnatal maturation of the testis, its specific role to the testicularphysiology and in particular to spermatogenesis, is still little understood The aim of the present research was to determine the impact of a single high dose (35mg1kg of body weight) of estrogen and anti-estrogen Tamoxifen, administered subcutaneously in 5-weekold rats, on the testis structure and spermatogenesis. The effects ofthese transient hormonal disruptions were evaluated one (short-term) and seven weeks (medium-term) after treatments by light and transmission electron microscopies, both associated to morphometric and stereological analysis. Moreover, TUNEL's method was employed in order to detect the apoptotic process on germ cells. The estrogen affected more drastically the testicular structure and the spermatogenesis when compared to Tamoxifen. In short term ana1ysis,the exposure to high doses of estrogen caused a 50% reduction in the testis weight, besides a reduction in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and population of Sertoli cells. This treatment also induced an increase in apoptosis and a total destruction of elongated spermatids. Even though the gonad-somatic-index had been recovered within seven weeks after the estrogen injection, apoptotic germ cell rate still remained tive times higher and the number of elongated spermatids was lower than that found in the control animal group. In short term, the exposure to Tamoxifen was less harrnful to the testis of young rats when compared to the estrogen, but in medium term it resulted in some similar effects such as the reduction of the seminiferous tubule diameter, high occurrence of germ apoptotic cells, and Leydig cell atrophy. Based on these results we conclude that transient exposure to estrogen and Tamoxifen induces aherations in testicular dynamics of young rats with a probable damage to the spermatogenesis of aduh animaisMestradoBiologia CelularMestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutura

Sexual Maturation Of The Mongolian Gerbil (meriones Unguiculatus): A Histological, Hormonal And Spermatic Evaluation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)This study determined the phases of sexual development of the male Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) based on an integrative analysis of testicular morphology, hormonal data and sperm parameters. Male gerbils were analysed at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 50, 60, 70, 90, 100 and 120 days of age. Body, testicular and epididymal weights increased up to Day 70, 60 and 90, respectively. The impuberal phase, characterised by the presence of gonocytes, extended until Day 14. The prepubertal period lasted until Day 42, when puberty was achieved and a drastic increase in serum testosterone levels, mature adult Leydig cells and elongated spermatids was observed. Gerbils at 60 days of age showed a remarkable number of spermatozoa in the testis, epididymidis caput/corpus and cauda, and at Day 70 the maximum daily sperm production was reached. However, the gerbil may be considered sexually mature only from Day 90 onward, when sperm reserves become stable. The total transit time of spermatozoa along the epididymis of sexually mature gerbils was 11 days, with 1 day in the caput/corpus and 10 days in the cauda. These data cover a lacuna regarding the reproductive parameters of this rodent and provide foundations for its use in testicular toxicology studies.286815823Sao Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP)Coordinating Body for Training University (CAPES)Brazilian National Research and Development Council (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Maternal obesity disturbs the postnatal development of gonocytes in the rat without impairment of testis structure at prepubertal age

In this study, we evaluated whether maternal obesity (MO) affects testis development and gonocyte differentiation in the rat from 0.5 to 14.5 postnatal days. Male Wistar rats were used at 0.5, 4.5, 7.5, and 14.5 days post partum (dpp). These rats were born from obese mothers, previously fed with a high-fat diet (20% saturated fat), for 15 weeks, or normal mothers that had received a balanced murine diet (4% lipids). MO did not affect testis weight or histology at birth but changed the migratory behavior of gonocytes. The density of relocated cells was higher in MO pups at 0.5 dpp, decreased at 4.5 dpp, and differed from those of control pups, where density increased exponentially from 0.5 to 7.5 dpp. The numerical density of gonocytes within seminiferous cords did not vary in MO, in relation to control neonates, for any age considered, but the testis weight was 50% lower at 4.5 dpp. A wide variation in plasmatic testosterone and estrogen levels was observed among the groups during the first week of age and MO pups exhibited higher steroid concentrations at 4.5 dpp, in comparison with controls. At this age, higher estrogen levels of MO pups impaired the gonocyte proliferation. At 7.5 dpp, the testicular size and other parameters of gonocyte development are retrieved. In conclusion, MO and saturated lipid diets disturb gonocyte development and sexual steroid levels during the first days of life, with recovery at prepubertal age.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

A Web como canal de divulgação de serviços e produtos de bibliotecas universitárias: análise do conteúdo de home pages.

O estudo analisa as estruturas das informações disponibilizadas em home pages para divulgar as bibliotecas universitárias. Identifica o conteúdo dessas páginas, selecionadas aleatoriamente, destacando a estrutura das mesmas, as terminologias adotadas para as informações disponíveis quanto aos tópicos: apresentação, histórico, estatísticas, serviços, produtos, opções de idioma, missão, links interessantes, contador, ilustração, acesso rápido, mapas do site, atendimento via E-mail e acervo on line. Na consulta ao acervo destacou os tipos de materiais recuperados, campos de pesquisa, forma de apresentação do resultado, ajuda e estrutura de busca. Analisa cada informação disponibilizada destacando as informações comuns, as tendências e as inovações apresentadas, as quais servem de parâmetro para a criação de novos sites, bem como avalia os existentes

Neonatal Gonocyte Differentiation in Mongolian Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Involves Asynchronous Maturation of Seminiferous Cords and Rapid Formation of Transitional Cell Stage

This study describes the neonatal differentiation of the Mongolian gerbil gonocytes, focusing on the relationship between its relocation to the basement membrane, apoptosis and postrelocation changes and also the distribution of androgen receptors (AR). Testes of gerbils from I to 35 days of age (d) were examined by high resolution light microscopy and immunocytochemistry for proteins PCNA, VASA, and AR as well as by the TUNEL method. Gonocytes were quantified according to degree of relocation into nonrelocated, relocating and relocated. Most of them were found in the center of seminiferous cords at 1 d but a small number of relocating and relocated gonocytes were already visible in the first postnatal day. After relocation, gonocytes change phenotypically to a transitional stage designated herein prospermatogonia. Both gonocyte relocation and transformation into spermatogonial lineage occur asynchronously in the seminiferous cords, mainly after 7 d. Gonocyte proliferation began before but peak after their relocation to basement membrane at the prospermatogonia stage. Higher levels of gonocyte apoptosis were found at 7 d and 21 d. From this time onward gonocytes were not found. Gonocytes and prospermatogonia showed high amounts of AR in their cytoplasm contrary to spermatogonial subtypes, indicating a possible AR inactivation in these cells. In conclusion, the process of gonocyte relocation in the gerbil extends until the second postnatal week, leads to their rapid differentiation into prospermatogonia and occurs simultaneously with the loss of androgen sensitivity. Differently from other laboratory rodents, the events regarding gonocyte maturation in the gerbil last longer and occur asynchronously in seminiferous cords. Anat Rec, 293:310319, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

A High-fat Diet Fed During Different Periods Of Life Impairs Steroidogenesis Of Rat Leydig Cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)This study evaluated the impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) during different stages of rat life, associated or not with maternal obesity, on the content of sex steroid hormones and morphophysiology of Leydig cells. The following periods of development were examined: gestation (O1), gestation and lactation (O2), from weaning to adulthood (O3), from lactation to adulthood (O4), gestation to adulthood (O5), and after sexual maturation (O6). The HFD contained 20% unsaturated fat, whereas the control diet had 4% fat. Maternal obesity was induced by feeding HFD 15 weeks before mating. All HFD groups presented increased body weight, hyperinsulinemia and reduced insulin sensitivity. Except for O1, all HFD groups exhibited a higher adiposity index, hyperleptinemia, reduced testosterone and estradiol testicular levels, and decreased testicular 17 beta-HSD enzyme. Morphometrical analyses indicated atrophy of Leydig cells in the O2 group. Myelin vesicles were observed in the mitochondrial matrix of Leydig cells in O3, O4, O5 and O6, and autophagosomes containing mitochondria were found in O5 and O6. In conclusion, HFD feeding, before or after sexual maturation, reduces the functional capacity of rat Leydig cells. Maternal obesity associated with HFD during pregnancy/lactation prejudices Leydig cell steroidogenesis and induces its atrophy in adulthood, even if it is replaced by a conventional diet at later stages of life. Regardless of the life period of exposure to HFD, deregulation of leptin is the main factor related to steroidogenic impairment of Leydig cells, and, in groups exposed for longer periods (O3, O4, O5 and O6), this is worsened by structural damage and mitochondrial degeneration of these cells.1526795808National Research Council CNPq [306258/2011]Sao Paulo State Research Foundation - FAPESP [2011/01612-4, 2009/16071-9, 2011/03596-6, 2013/18011-9]PROPE-UNESP, Univ. Estadual PaulistaConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP