7 research outputs found
DHT deficiency perturbs the integrity of the rat seminiferous epithelium by disrupting tight and adherens junctions
In rats with a DHT deficiency induced by finasteride, morphological changes in the seminiferous
epithelium were observed. The structural alterations were manifested by the premature germ cells sloughing
into the lumen of seminiferous tubules. The etiology of this disorder could be connected with intercellular
junctions disintegration. We showed in the immunohistochemical study the changes in expression of some proteins
building tight and adherens junctions. The depression of N-cadherin, β-catenin and occludin immunoexpressions
could be the reason for the release of immature germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. However,
the observed increase of the immunohistochemical reaction intensity of vinculin, one of the cadherin/catenin
complex regulators, could be insufficient to maintain the proper function of adherens junctions. The hormonal
imbalance appears to influence the pattern of expression of junctional proteins in the seminiferous epithelium.
It could lead to untimely germ cells sloughing, and ultimately could impair fertility. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
2011, Vol. 49, No. 1, 62–71
Effect of hCG on the morphology of rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro
The epididymis is an androgen-dependent organ. The hormones regulate the
morphology and secretory activity of the epididymal epithelial cells. The cells in
vitro resume their function as in vivo and also reveal features of steroidogenic
cells. It can be expected that, as with Leydig cells, the morphology and function
of the cells can be regulated by LH/hCG.
The aim of the study was to assess the morphology of epididymal epithelial cells
in vitro after stimulation with hCG. The experiment was performed on cells isolated
from sexually mature rats. The epididymal epithelial cells were cultured in
a medium with the addition of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Moreover, the cells
were cultured in the medium with DHT and without DHT but enriched with
hCG. The epididymal epithelial cells cultured with DHT formed a monolayer and
accumulated glycogen, a PAS-positive substance and lipid droplets. The cells
cultured without DHT were stellate in shape and low in glycogen and PASpositive
substance but they contained lipid droplets. The morphology of epididymal
epithelial cells cultured without DHT but after stimulation with hCG was
similar to the morphology of the cells cultured with DHT. This was the first sign
that the morphology of the cells can be influenced by hCG
Localisation of oestrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta) in the human and rat epididymides
The aim of the study was to compare the localisation of oestrogen receptors
α and β (ER α and ER β) in the human and rat epididymides. In the human epididymis
the immunoexpression for ER α was detected in the nuclei of the caput epithelial
cells, while positive reaction for ER α was observed in the nuclei of the
cauda epithelial cells. In the rat epididymis, immunoexpression for ER α showed
nuclei of the caput and cauda epithelial cells. However, the reaction was stronger
in cells of the caput epididymis. A positive reaction for ER β was observed in
the nuclei of smooth muscle cells of the epididymal duct and in the nuclei of
interstitial tissue cells of the rat caput and cauda epididymis.
We have demonstrated that localisation of ER α and ER β is cell-, region- and
species-dependent
Testis morphology in rats chronically treated with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the long-term treatment of rats with letrozole
on the testis morphology. The pharmacologically induced estrogen deficiency caused statistically significant
decreases of both intratesticular and serum levels of estradiol, and morphological changes in the seminiferous
epithelium and in the interstitial tissue of the testes. Six months of treatment resulted in the sloughing of premature
germ cells of the seminiferous epithelium into the tubular lumen and in intraepithelial vacuolization. Multinucleated
giant cells composed of premature germ cells, conglomerates of various cell nuclei and cell debris as
well as irregularities and infoldings of the tubular basement membrane were also seen. Moreover, deep invaginations
of the lamina propria with myoid cells were observed. Cells in the interstitial tissue showed changes
similar to that observed in aging processes. The cytoplasm of LH-R-positive Leydig cells was loaded with lipofuscin
granules. The number of lipofuscin-loaded cells was significantly increased in the interstitial tissue of
testis in letrozole-treated rats. The results indicate the direct influence of estrogens on seminiferous tubules and
the interstitial tissue morphology. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 677–684