The Physiological Function and Potential Role of the Ubiquitous Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 8 (NHE8): An Overview Data

The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger transporters (NHE) play an important role in various biologic processes including Na⁺ absorption, intracellular pH homeostasis, cell volume regulation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The wide expression pattern and cellular localization of NHEs make these proteins pivotal players in virtually all human tissues and organs. In addition, recent studies suggest that NHEs may be one of the primeval transport protein forms in the history of life. Among the different isoforms, the most well-characterized NHEs are the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) and Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3). However, Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 8 (NHE8) has been receiving attention based on its recent discoveries in the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we will discuss what is known about the physiological function and potential role of NHE8 in the main organ systems, including useful overviews that could inspire new studies on this multifaceted protein.     

Ethanol exposure during peripubertal period increases the mast cell number and impairs meiotic and spermatic parameters in adult male rats

Puberty is characterized by psychosomatic alterations, whereas chronic ethanol consumption is associated with morphophysiological changes in the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to show the toxic effects on testis and epididymal morphophysiology after ethanol administration during peripuberty. To this end, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: ethanol (E) group: received a 2 g dose of ethanol/kg in 25% (v/v); and control (C) group: received the same volume of filtered water; both were treated by gavage for 54 days. On the 55th day of the experiment, epididymis, and testis were collected for sperm count, histopathology, mast cell count, and morphometry. The vas deferens was collected for sperm motility analysis. The femur and testicle were used for cytogenetic analysis. Ethanol exposure caused reduction in daily sperm production (DSP) and in sperm motility, multinucleated cells or those having no chromosomal content, and late chromosome migrations. No changes were observed in the number of chromosomes in the mitotic analysis. However, some alterations could be seen in meiocytes at different stages of cell division. Stereological analysis of the epididymis indicated reorganization of its component in the 2A and 5A/B regions. The epididymal cauda had greater recruitment, and both degranulated and full mast cells showed an increase in the initial segment, in the ethanol group. In conclusion, ethanol administration during the pubertal phase affects epididymis and testis in adult rats, as indicated mainly by our new findings related to mast cell number and meiotic impact. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:541–549, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

复方银杏叶对糖尿病大鼠睾丸VEGF的影响

目的:探讨复方银杏叶(CGL)对糖尿病大鼠睾丸VEGF的影响。方法:在40只Wistar雄性大鼠中随机抽取10只作为正常对照组(NC),其余大鼠用链脲佐菌素(Streptozotocin,STZ)加高脂高糖饮食制备2型糖尿病模型。造模动物筛选后,随机分为糖尿病组(DM组)和CGL治疗组,每组10只。治疗组给予CGL10周后,取双侧睾丸组织,提取蛋白,检测组织中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)含量。结果:2型糖尿病模型制备成功,糖尿病组与对照组比较,VEGF含量降低,差别有显著性意义(P<0.01),而治疗组与糖尿病组比较,VEGF含量升高,差别有显著性意义(P<0.01)。结论:复方银杏叶能够提高糖尿病大鼠睾丸VEGF的表达,对糖尿病伴随生殖功能障碍有一定的改善作用。     

双酚A的毒性作用机制

针对环境污染日益严重的现状,探讨了双酚A(BPA)对小鼠的肝脏毒性和生殖毒性的作用机制.对血浆和肝脏中的关键酶与精子畸形率进行了检测,并利用紫外可见分光光度计观察了肝脏和睾丸的病理改变.结果表明,BPA可以显著升高谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、谷草转氨酶(GOT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)的活力、丙二醛(MDA)和一氧化氮(NO)的含量以及精子畸形率.BPA可以显著降低超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力,并改变了肝脏和睾丸组织的正常形态.BPA不仅可以对肝脏造成损伤,还可以透过血睾屏障损害睾丸的支持细胞和间质细胞,从而干扰精子的生长、发育和能量代谢过程,进而对生殖系统造成损伤.     

Advances in cryopreservation of spermatogonial stem cells and restoration of male fertility

Spermatogenesis is a highly complicated process which initiated by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs are the only cell type that can restore fertility in infertile recipient after SSCs transplantation. SSCs damage during cancer diagnosis and therapy and their depletion may be cause of male infertility in cancer survivors. In this review, used experimental methods regarding SSCs and testis tissue cryopreservation have been reviewed with a special focus on animal models and human which have generated the majority of data about SSCs and the cryopreservation process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:122–129, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

High-Resolution scanning electron micrographs of freeze-cracked cells in testes from normal and irradiated rats at different stages of gonadal development

Newly developed techniques in high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and for tissue-processing procedures have been applied to an investigation of structures of various cells in rat testes at different stages of gonadal maturation. A series of high-resolution SEM micrographs are presented which survey the surfaces of different types of testis cells during normal development, and which also illustrate ultrastructural features of some of their intracellular organelles. In addition, a series of high-resolution SEM micrographs are presented which compare the structural features of Sertoli cells in normal testes with those in germ-cell-depleted testes obtained from rats killed at varying times after having been irradiated in utero. We describe our observations on the structural properties of surfaces and intracellular organelles in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, and some classes of germinal cells. We also consider the possible role of Sertoli cell apical cytoplasmic processes in lumen formation. Similarities are pointed out between the structure of germ-cell-depleted testes, resulting from irradiation in utero, and the structure of germ-cell-depleted testes in seasonal breeders during periods of involution. Finally, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of methods employed to reveal the fine structure of intracellular organelles in cells of the testis.     

Ultrastructure of the male reproductive system of Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with preliminary characterization of the secretions

The morphology and ultrastructure of testes and accessory glands along with the characterization of their secretions were investigated for a braconid species Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) using light and electron microscopes. The male internal reproductive system of this species is distinguished by a pair of testes, one vas deferens, and a pair of male accessory glands. The testes are separate, and the accessory glands are oval and not fused. It was observed that the secretory cells of testes have characteristic smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and that the cytoplasm is filled with an array of granule droplets usually of two to three types. The secretory cells in the case of accessory glands are typified by the presence of microvilli on their apical cell surfaces and numerous mitochondria in their cytoplasm. SDS-PAGE profile when performed depicted a similarity in most bands of the secretions from both testes and accessory glands, except for four proteins of which two were present only in testes, while the other two only appeared in accessory glands. Their molecular weights were 117 and 55 kDa for testes and 196 and 30 kDa for accessory glands, respectively. This study gives new insights into the intriguing features of male internal reproductive system and it especially constitutes the first report of its kind about the secretion properties of these organs in C. vestalis.