Histoautoradiographic study of two target organs (epididymis and femoral glands) after injection of 3H testosterone in a non-mammalian vertebrae, the viviparous lizard]

After 3H testosterone injection into castrated males of the Lizard Lacerta vivipara, the radioactive compound is detected by radioautography of epididymis, femoral glands, gut and liver. Between 1 hr. 30 min. to 12 hrs. of retention the 3H material concentrates progressively into nuclei of the glandular cells of epididymis and femoral organs although no particular concentration occurs in gut and liver cells. This submammalian model is consistent with those previously described for mammals.     

Effect of mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) on catecholamine and Na+, K+-ATPase levels in rat epididymis

The effect of mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) on catecholamines and Na+, K+-ATPase activities in rat epididymis has been evaluated. Dopamine and norepinephrine levels were significantly elevated in the caput and corpus regions whereas their levels remained unchanged in the caudal part of the epididymis. Na+, K+-ATPase activity was significantly increased in all the three regions of rat epididymis as a result of the toxin treatment. These changes may suggest an adverse effect on epididymal functions in rats.     

Biochemical changes in some acrosomal enzymes of spermatozoa during maturation

Goat spermatozoal hyaluronidase and acrosin show significantly increased activities during transition from caput to cauda epididymis. The activity of alkaline phosphatase decreases during spermatozoal transport through epididymis.     

Effect of mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) on catecholamine and Na+, K+-ATPase levels in rat epididymis

Summary The effect of mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) on catecholamines and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activities in rat epididymis has been evaluated. Dopamine and norepinephrine levels were significantly elevated in the caput and corpus regions whereas their levels remained unchanged in the caudal part of the epididymis. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was significantly increased in all the three regions of rat epididymis as a result of the toxin treatment. These changes may suggest an adverse effect on epididymal functions in rats.     

Biochemical changes in some acrosomal enzymes of spermatozoa during maturation

Summary Goat spermatozoal hyaluronidase and acrosin show significantly increased activities during transition from caput to cauda epididymis. The activity of alkaline phosphatase decreases during spermatozoal transport through epididymis.Acknowledgment. The work was supported by World Health Organization, Geneva (Project No. 76238).     

cAMP in spermatozoa taken from different segments of rat epididymis.

Experimental evidence conclusively indicates that the epididymis is under endocrine control and plays an active role in the process of spermatic maturation.     

Ultrastructural localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity in the cells of the epididymis of the mouse

Summary Glucose 6-phosphatase activity is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of all cell types composing mouse epididymis. It is higher in the principal cell than in other cell types in the terminal and caudal half of the middle segment.     

The level of noradrenaline in terminals and varicosities after the ligation performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus

Summary It is well-known that the ligation of nerve trunk induces an intensive accumulation of noradrenaline proximally to the ligation. A similar ligation, performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus, induces no changes in the segments of terminal fibres situated proximally.     

The level of noradrenaline in terminals and varicosities after the ligation performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus

It is well-known that the ligation of nerve trunk induces an intensive accumulation of noradrenaline proximally to the ligation. A similar ligation, performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus, induces no changes in the segments of terminal fibres situated proximally.     

Effect of cyproterone acetate on the testis and epididymis of the lizard,Psammophilus dorsalis (Gray)

Summary The effect of cyproterone acetate (CPA) on the testis and epididymis of the lizard,Psammophilus dorsalis has been studied. Treatment with CPA affects spermatogenesis and steroid metabolism in the testis. It also causes regression of the epididymis and a decrease in steroidogenic enzyme activity.Acknowledgments. We wish to thank Prof. M.R. Rajasekarasetty for his encouragement, Dr K.V. Rao, Nagpur, for a generous gift of cyproterone acetate, Dr V.B. Nadkarni, Dharwar, for permitting the use of his cryostat, Sri B.M. Sekharappa for his technical assistance and UGC, New Delhi for their financial help to one of us (GRS).     

Estrogen and accessory sex gland lipids

Summary Administration of estradiol-17 elicited differential responses on accessory sex glands of rats. In caput epididymis, the estrogen treatment led to an accumulation of glycerides and phospholipids while in cauda epididymis, there was no significant change. However, in seminal vesicles, depletion of phospholipids was observed In prostate, the treatment, resulted in an accumulation of glycerides.Part of Ph.D. Thesis. Umapathy, E., Thesis. University of Madras, India, 1977.     

Effect of pancreatic duct ligation on exocrine pancreatic function and structure in the rabbit

4 weeks after pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit, fecal and luminal chymotrypsin were detected in concentrations similar to the control group. Pancreatic changes in the ligated group were marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, proliferation and distention of ductules and fibrosis. Despite pancreatic duct ligation and fibrosis, proteolytic enzymes continued to secrete into the duodenal lumen. These results suggest that pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit is not associated with total pancreatic insufficiency.     

Effects of microdoses of testosterone and 5alpha-DHT on castrated lizard (Lacerta vivipara Jacquin) epididymis cultivated in vitro (author's transl)]

In contrast to earlier results obtained with high doses of testerone and 5 alpha-DHT given for short periods (10 days), very low doses of testerone are more potent than 5 alpha-DHT in stimulating regressed epididymis cultivated for 23 days.     

LSD: The distribution of [3H]LSD in the reproductive system of the male rat and placental transfer in the female rat

Summary After administration of [³H]LSD to male rats, radioactivity was present in all tissues of the reproductive system, notably associated with spermatozoa in the epididymis. In addition, in pregnant rats LSD and/or metabolites readily crossed the placental barrier.     

Effect of pylorus ligation on gastric mucosal mast cell population in normal and adrenalectomised albino rats.

Pylorus ligation in normal albino rats acts like a stressor leading to degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa, thereby decreasing their number. This decrease is less pronounced when pylorus ligation is done in adrenalectomized rats. This implies that action of a stressor on gastric function involves the adrenal steroids which liberate the powerful gastric stimulant histamine from gastric mucosal mast cells.     

Effect of pylorus ligation on gastric mucosal mast cell population in normal and adrenalectomised albino rats

Summary Pylorus ligation in normal albino rats acts like a stressor leading to degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa, thereby decreasing their number. This decrease is less pronounced when pylorus ligation is done in adrenalectomized rats. This implies that action of a stressor on gastric function involves the adrenal steroids which liberate the powerful gastric stimulant histamine from gastric mucosal mast cells.     

Effect of pancreatic duct ligation on exocrine pancreatic function and structure in the rabbit

Summary 4 weeks after pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit, fecal and luminal chymotrypsin were detected in concentrations similar to the control group. Pancreatic changes in the ligated group were marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, proliferation and distention of ductules and fibrosis. Despite pancreatic duct ligation and fibrosis, proteolytic enzymes continued to secrete into the duodenal lumen. These results suggest that pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit is not associated with total pancreatic insufficiency.This study was supported by the Kansas University Endowment Association (Grant No. 73-2550), General Research Support (Grant No. 2553 and 1522-14) and a grant from Kaw Valley Heart Association.     

The epididymis-specific antimicrobial peptide β-defensin 15 is required for sperm motility and male fertility in the rat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rattus norvegicus</Emphasis>)

Spermatozoa acquire forward motility and fertilizing capacity during their transit through the epididymis. The maturation process involves modifications of the sperm surface by different proteins that are secreted by a series of specialized regions in the epididymal epithelium. Here we show that the rat epididymis-specific β-defensin 15 (Defb15) exhibits an androgen-dependent expression pattern, and it can bind to the acrosomal region of caput sperm. Coculture of caput spermatozoa with Defb15 antibody in vitro resulted in a significant decline in sperm motility. Moreover, the total and progressive motility of the spermatozoa dramatically decreased in rats when Defb15 was downregulated by lentivirus-mediated RNAi in vivo. Remarkably, knock down of Defb15 led to a reduction in fertility and embryonic development failure. In addition, the recombinant Defb15 showed antimicrobial activity in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that Defb15 plays a dual role in both sperm maturation and pathogen defense in rat epididymis.     

Expressed protein ligation: a resourceful tool to study protein structure and function

This review outlines the use of expressed protein ligation (EPL) to study protein structure, function and stability. EPL is a chemoselective ligation method that allows the selective ligation of unprotected polypeptides from synthetic and recombinant origin for the production of semi-synthetic protein samples of well-defined and homogeneous chemical composition. This method has been extensively used for the site-specific introduction of biophysical probes, unnatural amino acids, and increasingly complex post-translational modifications. Since it was introduced 10 years ago, EPL applications have grown increasingly more sophisticated in order to address even more complex biological questions. In this review, we highlight how this powerful technology combined with standard biochemical analysis techniques has been used to improve our ability to understand protein structure and function.     

Demonstration of a specific androgen binding protein (ABP) in the seminal plasma of the ram]

A specific androgen binding protein has been demonstrated in the seminal plasma of adult Ram. This protein binds especially to 5 alpha-DHT and testosterone and much lower to oestradiol-17 beta. Its characteristics such as Ka (in order 10(9) M(-1) at 4 degrees C), relative mobility (Rf) and its specificity are similar to those of the androgen binding protein (ABP) of the Rete Testis Fluid and the epididymal plasma of the Ram. It is probable that this protein secreted from the testis, crosses the epididymis before being secreted in the seminal plasma at the moment of the ejaculation.