Prostate telocytes change their phenotype in response to castration or testosterone replacement

Telocytes are CD34-positive cells with a fusiform cell body and long, thin cytoplasmic projections called telopodes. These cells were detected in the stroma of various organs, including the prostate. The prostate is a complex gland capable of undergoing involution due to low testosterone levels; and this condition can be reversed with testosterone replacement. Telocyte function in the mature prostate remains to be dermined, and it is not known whether telocytes can take place in tissue remodeling during prostate involution and regrowth. The present study employed structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical methods to investigate the telocyte's phenotypes in the ventral prostate (VP) from control (CT), castrated (CS) and testosterone replacement (TR) groups of adult male Wistar rats. Telocytes were found in the subepithelial, perimuscular and interstitical regions around glandular acini. Telocytes from CT animals have condensed chromatin and long and thin telopodes. In CS group, telocytes appeared quiescent and exhibited layers of folded up telopodes. After TR, telocytes presented loose chromatin, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and enlarged telopodes, closely associated with bundles of collagen fibrils. We called these cells "telocytes with a synthetic phenotype". As testosterone levels and glandular morphology returned toward to the CT group parameters, after 10 days ofTR, these telocytes progressively switched to the normal phenotype. Our results demonstrate that telocytes exhibit phenotypic plasticity upon androgen manipulation and interact with fibroblast and smooth muscle cells to maintain glandular architecture in control animals and during tissue remodeling after hormonal manipulation9CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP305391/2014-3; 306900/2016-5; 305840/2015-0; 310663/2018-02002/11102-4; 2014/26660-0; 2017/01063-

Melanocytes in the testes of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura, Leiuperidae): Histological, stereological, and ultrastructural aspects

Ectothermic vertebrates have a well-developed system of melanin-containing cells, which localize in several organs and tissues and compose an extracutaneous pigmentary system. This research aimed at characterizing histological and ultrastructural patterns of pigmented cells in the testes of the anura Eupemphix nattereri (Steindachner, 1963), including the stereological and quantitative evaluation of this cell type in the gonads. Ten adult males were collected in Nova Itapirema, São Paulo, Brazil, and submitted to morphological studies with light and transmission electron microscopy. The testis presents a great number of large cells with many brown granules and long cytoplasmic processes. The pigmented cells found in the testis are structurally similar to melanocytes, characterized by large amounts of melanosomes. The cells may be in intimate contact with the same cell type, with myoid cells surrounded by a large amount of collagen fibers, Leydig cells, and next to fibroblasts. The distribution and amount of extracutaneous melanocytes is variable when other organs and membranes are analyzed, allowing the establishment of species-specific patterns for the extracutaneous pigmentary system

Microscopic Evidence of the Opportunistic Reproductive Strategy and Early Sexual Maturation of the Small-Sized Characin Knodus moenkhausii (Characidae, Pisces)

We investigated the reproductive biology of Knodus moenkhausii, an abundantsmall-sized characin fish with broad occurrence in the Parana River basin, Bra-zil. Specimens were collected monthly to determine fecundity, length at firstmaturity, reproductive period and spawning type. Gonads were macroscopically classified according to their form, size and texture in three different stages(immature, maturing or mature). Histological procedures were conducted toconfirm gonadal developmental stages, and it was possible to notice thatmaturing females actually presented atretic oocytes, and all males that weremacroscopically classified as immature, maturing and mature actually presentedabundant spermatozoa in their gonads. Because of these discrepancies, a reclas-sification of gonadal maturations stages was needed after histological analysis,reinforcing its importance to studies on the reproduction of small characins.Reproduction occurred throughout the year though with two peaks. The lengthof the smallest mature individuals was 13 mm SL for males and 24 mm SL for females. Despite presenting relatively small batch fecundity, some life historytraits such as early reproduction, multiple spawning throughout the year, inassociation with known opportunistic feeding habits, explain the high abun-dance of this species in locations where it occurs

Diabetes induces stromal remodelling and increase in chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans of the rat ventral prostate

P>Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is an important process involved in prostate cancer progression. Alterations in ECM caused by diabetes in different tissues such as kidney is well described; however, it is poorly investigated in prostate. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in ECM of rat prostate showing gland atrophy caused by diabetes and their implications in development of malignant lesions. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using alloxan (45 mg/kg bw). After 90 days of diabetes onset, animals were killed and ventral prostate was removed and prepared for light microscopy following immunoreaction for fibronectin, chondroitin sulphate and Picrossirius staining for collagen fibres. Proteoglycans (PG) were identified at transmission electron microscopy after fixation with Cuprolinic Blue. Diabetes led to a thickening of 25% in the acinar basement membrane accompanied by increase and disorganization of its proteoglycans (P1). Three additional populations of prostatic stromal PGs were identified: collagen fibril linked (P2) and interstitial (P3) and (P4) PGs. Diabetes increased P3 and mainly P4 which had higher dimension and accumulated around the smooth muscle cells. In addition, an increase in chondrotin sulphate (33%, mainly in sites where P4 were noted) and collagen (44%) was noted in diabetic rats, whereas fibronectin did not change. Atrophic changes observed in rat ventral prostate after diabetes are accompanied by stromal remodelation related to increase in collagen and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans. Thus, diabetes can promote a stromal microenvironment rich in elements that could favour cell migration, proliferation and pathological process.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

RNA reallocation during initial spermatic meiosis of Pseudonannolene tocaiensis Fontanetti, 1996

Toluidine Blue dye containing increasing concentrations of Mg2+ or Ca2+ can show loss of metachromacy at a certain concentration of the inorganic cation when staining DNA-protein complexes in vitro and in vivo. This process has been named Critical Electrolyte Concentration (CEC) and is applied to the study of protein-nucleic acid complexes at different stages of chromatin supra-organization. Male gametocytes of the species Pseudonannolene tocaiensis were studied, observing a large amount of ribonucleoproteins in the gametocytes cytoplasm throughout prophase I. The nucleolus is maintained during most of the prophase. The highly condensed region showing the bouquet formation appeared stained with the typical tonality for chromatin; this region corresponds to the constitutive heterochromatin. We also observed the presence of RNA all through the chromosomes in prophase I. The permanence of this material surrounding the chromosomes during male meiosis is difficult to explain, since a great reduction of the products of spermatogenesis occurs due to the fact that most of the material of the spermatozoids is not used during fecundation. However, in P. tocaiensis this material is remains even at the spermatids. It is known that during the spermiogenesis of certain insects, RNA synthesis continues at the spermatid, being subsequently eliminated from the nucleus and then from the cell due to the elongation of the nucleus. Therefore, we could suggest that permanence of this material (RNA) during meiosis has a function in the process of cell division

Implications of obesity for tendon structure, ultrastructure and biochemistry: A study on Zucker rats

The extracellular matrix consists of collagen, proteoglycans and non-collagen proteins. The incidence of obesity and associated diseases is currently increasing in developed countries. Obesity is considered to be a disease of modern times, and genes predisposing to the disease have been identified in humans and animals. The objective of the present study was to compare the morphological and biochemical aspects of the deep digital flexor tendon of lean (Fa/Fa or Fa/fa) and genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. Ultrastructural analysis showed the presence of lipid droplets in both groups, whereas disorganized collagen fibril bundles were observed in obese animals. Lean animals presented a larger amount of non-collagen proteins and glycosaminoglycans than obese rats. We propose that the overweight and lesser physical activity in obese animals may have provoked the alterations in the composition and organization of extracellular matrix components but a genetic mechanism cannot be excluded. These alterations might be related to organizational and structural modifications in the collagen bundles that influence the mechanical properties of tendons and the progression to a pathological state. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Nucleolar Cycle and Its Correlation with Chromatoid Bodies in the Tilapia rendalli (Teleostei, Cichlidae) Spermatogenesis

The aim of this study was: (1) to monitor the nucleolar material distribution using cytological and cytochemical techniques and ultrastructural analysis; and (2) to compare the nucleolar material distribution with the formation of the chromatoid body (CB) in the germ epithelium of Tilapia rendalli. Nucleolar fragmentation occurred during the leptotene of prophase I and nucleolus reorganization occurred in the early spermatid nucleus. The area of the early spermatid nucleolus was significantly smaller than that of the spermatogonia nucleolus. Ultrastructural analysis showed an accumulation of nuages, which form the CB, before nucleolar fragmentation in the spermatogonia cytoplasm. The CB was observed in association with mitochondrial clusters in the cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes, as well as in those of initial and later spermatids. In conclusion, the nucleolus seems to be related to CB formation during spermatogenesis of T rendalli, because at the moment of nucleolus fragmentation in the primary spermatocytes, the CB reaches its largest area and it is able to complete important functions during spermatogenesis. The reorganized nucleolus of the initial spermatids has a lower area due several factors, one of which is the probable migration of nucleolar fragments from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, therefore playing a role in CB formation. Anat Rec, 293:900-910, 2010. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Ultrastructural analysis of the nucleolar aspects at spermiogenesis in triatomines (Heteroptera, Triatominae)

In this study the ultrastructural technique was used to analyze seminiferous tubule cells of the triatomine species Panstrongylus megistus, Rhodnius pallescens and Triatoma infestans. The data obtained provided evidence of the phenomenon known as persistence of the nucleolar material in initial spermatids at early differentiation. Our results confirmed the presence of the nucleolus and its products during spermiogenesis up to the formation of the axoneme and during spermatid elongation in all three species studied, similar to the process that takes place during cell division. In early spermatids, the nucleoli had a reticulate appearance and a well defined nucleolonema in P. megistus; showed a clear distinction between the fibrillar and the granular component in T. infestans; and had a compact aspect in R. pallescens. In this study, ultrastructural analyses at spermiogenesis indicated that these nucleolar products may represent RNP complexes that will probably be needed at early spermiogenesis when important changes such as chromatin condensation and acrosome and flagellum formation take place. Therefore, it was concluded from the ultrastructural analysis that the triatomine nucleolus does not totally disappear but remains as corpuscles that gather to form the next nucleolar cycle that in the case of meiosis, will be completed if fertilization occurs and a zygote is formed. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

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

Short-term stromal alterations in the rat ventral prostate following alloxan-induced diabetes and the influence of insulin replacement

The stromal microenvironment is pivotal to prostate physiology and malign transformation. Diabetes leads to testosterone withdrawal and affects the prostate stromal compartment and smooth muscle cells in a similar way to that observed after castration. However the response of these cells and their involvement in extracellular matrix remodeling is not satisfactorily understood. We investigated the changes caused in the short term (one week) by alloxan-induced diabetes in the stromal components of the rat ventral prostate (VP) with an emphasis on morphological alterations of stromal cells, their conversion to a myofibroblast phenotype and the remodeling of extracellular matrix and the influence of insulin therapy. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned into untreated diabetic (n = 12), insulin-treated (n = 8) diabetic and control (n = 10) groups. Diabetes was induced by means of the injection of alloxan (40 mg/kg b.w.), while the control animals received saline solution only. Insulin (5 UI) was administered daily for one week after diabetes diagnosis. Testosterone and estrogen plasma levels were determined. VP was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. The main stromal cells were identified by means of light microscopy, using immunocytochemistry for specific markers - vimentin for fibroblasts, a-actin for smooth muscle cells (smc) and vimentin/calponin for myofibroblasts, following the estimation of their relative frequency and absolute volume by means of stereology. After one week diabetes led to a marked decrease in testosterone levels and an atrophy of about 35% in the VP. The relative frequency of smc and collagen fibers increased in the VP of diabetic rats but their absolute weight remained unchanged. Experimental diabetes promptly altered smc morphology which assumed at the ultrastructural level a shrunken appearance with the approximation of cytoplasmic dense bodies and also exhibited a decreased immunoreactivity to calponin. The conversion of stromal cells to a myofibroblast phenotype did not occur in alloxan-induced diabetes, as evaluated by double immunoreaction to calponin and vimentin. Insulin treatment maintained testosterone levels and preserved at least partly the cell morphology and collagen fiber organization of the prostate stroma in short-term diabetes. The apparent collagen increase observed by means of microscopic analysis in the stromal prostate compartment in the short term after diabetes is mainly associated with gland atrophy and does not involve the formation of new collagen fibers, the generation of myofibroblast-like cells or the acquisition of a secretory phenotype by stromal cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP