Testicular regulation and sub-cellular distribution of zinc in the epididymis and vas deferens of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Srivastava ◽  
A. R. Chowdhury ◽  
B. S. Setty
Keyword(s):  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Zinc Concentration ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Zinc Content ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Nuclear Fraction ◽  
Efferent Ducts ◽  
Mitochondrial Fractions ◽  
Wet Weight

Abstract. The zinc concentration in the epididymis (caput, corpus and cauda regions), vas deferens and caudal lobe of prostate of adult rhesus monkeys was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zinc content (μg/g wet weight) was found to be maximum in the prostate (709 μg followed by epididymis and vas deferens. The three segments of the epididymis did not differ from one another in their zinc content (165–177 μg). On a protein basis maximum concentration of zinc was present in the nuclear fraction followed by microsomal, cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions in that order. Ligation of testicular efferent ducts or castration 90 days prior to autopsy caused a marked reduction in zinc concentration in different sub-cellular fractions of the organs examined; castration was relatively more effective in this regard. The importance of androgen and other testicular products in controlling zinc content and the possible physiological role of zinc in the male genital tract are discussed.

Metabolism at the pyruvate branch point in the radula retractor muscle of the whelk, Busycon contrarium

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 2973-2977 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Ross Ellington
Keyword(s):  
Branch Point ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Retractor Muscle ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Octopine Dehydrogenase

The radula retractor muscle of the whelk Busycon contrarium contains high activities of both octopine dehydrogenase (~500 μmol∙min−1∙g wet weight−1) and strombine dehydrogenase (~150 μmol∙min−1∙g wet weight−1). Experiments were conducted with in vitro radula muscle preparations to assess under what physiological conditions these dehydrogenases function. Alanopine–strombine accumulated during anoxia, postanoxic recovery, and potassium-induced contractures in radula retractor muscles. No significant accumulation of octopine was observed. Although the accumulation of alanopine–strombine was significant, it was quantitatively small when compared with the production of succinate. Thus, it appears that alanopine–strombine formation has only an accessory role in cytoplasmic redox balance in B. contrarium radula retractor muscle. The physiological role of octopine dehydrogenase in this system remains unclear.

Localization of Immune Complexes in the Basement Membrane of the Ductuli Efferentes of the Rhesus Monkey

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 456-457
Author(s):  
D. Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Rhesus Monkey ◽  
Immune Complex ◽  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Frozen Sections ◽  
Efferent Ducts ◽  
Complex Deposition ◽  
Sperm Antibodies

As a result of vasectomy, spermatozoa are confined to the epididymis and vas deferens, where they degenerate, releasing antigens that enter the circulation or are engulfed by macrophages. Multiple antigens of the sperm can elicit production of autoantibodies; circulating anti-sperm antibodies are found in a large percentage of vasectomized men, indicating the immunogenicity of the sperm. The increased prevalence of macrophages in the liomen of the rhesus monkey testicular efferent ducts after vasectomy led to further study of this region. Frozen sections were used for evaluation of immunopathological status by fluorescence microscopy with fluorescein-conjugated antibody. Subsequent granular deposits of immune complexes were revealed by positive immunofluorescence staining for complement. The immune complex deposition in the basement membrane surrounding the efferent ducts implies that this region is involved in antigen leakage (Fig. 1).

Physiological Role of Cyclic Electron Flow in Higher Plants

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Wei HUANG ◽  
Shi-Bao ZHANG ◽  
Kun-Fang CAO
Keyword(s):  
Higher Plants ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cyclic Electron Flow

The Renal Outer Medullary Potassium Channel (ROMK): An Intriguing Pharmacological Target for an Innovative Class of Diuretic Drugs

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 2627-2636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Calderone ◽  
Alma Martelli ◽  
Eugenia Piragine ◽  
Valentina Citi ◽  
Lara Testai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Diuretic Activity ◽  
First Line ◽  
Potassium Homeostasis ◽  
Diuretic Drugs ◽  
Pharmacological Target ◽  
Diuretic Agents ◽  
Effective Drugs

In the last four decades, the several classes of diuretics, currently available for clinical use, have been the first line option for the therapy of widespread cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. Diuretic drugs generally exhibit an overall favourable risk/benefit balance. However, they are not devoid of side effects. In particular, all the classes of diuretics cause alteration of potassium homeostasis. <p> In recent years, understanding of the physiological role of the renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channels, has shown an intriguing pharmacological target for developing an innovative class of diuretic agents: the ROMK inhibitors. This novel class is expected to promote diuretic activity comparable to (or even higher than) that provided by the most effective drugs used in clinics (such as furosemide), with limited effects on potassium homeostasis. <p> In this review, the physio-pharmacological roles of ROMK channels in the renal function are reported, along with the most representative molecules which have been currently developed as ROMK inhibitors.

scholarly journals Caspase-14—From Biomolecular Basics to Clinical Approach. A Review of Available Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5575
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Markiewicz ◽  
Dawid Sigorski ◽  
Mateusz Markiewicz ◽  
Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek ◽  
Waldemar Placek
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Skin Barrier ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Caspase Family ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Theoretical Science

Caspase-14 is a unique member of the caspase family—a family of molecules participating in apoptosis. However, it does not affect this process but regulates another form of programmed cell death—cornification, which is characteristic of the epidermis. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in the formation of the skin barrier. The cell death cycle has been a subject of interest for researchers for decades, so a lot of research has been done to expand the understanding of caspase-14, its role in cell homeostasis and processes affecting its expression and activation. Conversely, it is also an interesting target for clinical researchers searching for its role in the physiology of healthy individuals and its pathophysiology in particular diseases. A summary was done in 2008 by Denecker et al., concentrating mostly on the biotechnological aspects of the molecule and its physiological role. However, a lot of new data have been reported, and some more practical and clinical research has been conducted since then. The majority of studies tackled the issue of clinical data presenting the role of caspase in the etiopathology of many diseases such as retinal dysfunctions, multiple malignancies, and skin conditions. This review summarizes the available knowledge on the molecular and, more interestingly, the clinical aspects of caspase-14. It also presents how theoretical science may pave the way for medical research. Methods: The authors analyzed publications available on PubMed until 21 March 2021, using the search term “caspase 14”.

scholarly journals Interphotoreceptor coupling: an evolutionary perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cangiano ◽  
Sabrina Asteriti
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Contact Points ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn the vertebrate retina, signals generated by cones of different spectral preference and by highly sensitive rod photoreceptors interact at various levels to extract salient visual information. The first opportunity for such interaction is offered by electrical coupling of the photoreceptors themselves, which is mediated by gap junctions located at the contact points of specialised cellular processes: synaptic terminals, telodendria and radial fins. Here, we examine the evolutionary pressures for and against interphotoreceptor coupling, which are likely to have shaped how coupling is deployed in different species. The impact of coupling on signal to noise ratio, spatial acuity, contrast sensitivity, absolute and increment threshold, retinal signal flow and colour discrimination is discussed while emphasising available data from a variety of vertebrate models spanning from lampreys to primates. We highlight the many gaps in our knowledge, persisting discrepancies in the literature, as well as some major unanswered questions on the actual extent and physiological role of cone-cone, rod-cone and rod-rod communication. Lastly, we point toward limited but intriguing evidence suggestive of the ancestral form of coupling among ciliary photoreceptors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document