scholarly journals Estrogen Modulates Glycerol Permeability in Sertoli Cells through Downregulation of Aquaporin-9

Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Bernardino ◽  
David Carrageta ◽  
Ana Silva ◽  
Giuseppe Calamita ◽  
Marco Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fluid Secretion ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Aquaporin 9 ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
And Function ◽  
Glycerol Permeability

High 17β-Estradiol (E2) levels are known to cause alterations of spermatogenesis and environments throughout the male reproductive tract. Sertoli cells (SCs) ensure an adequate environment inside the seminiferous tubule. Glycerol stands as essential for the maintenance of blood–testis barrier created by SCs, however, the role of E2 in this process is not known. Herein, we hypothesized that the effect of E2 on glycerol permeability in mouse SCs (mSCs) could be mediated by aquaglyceroporins. The expression of aquaglyceroporins was assessed by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR. Glycerol permeability was evaluated by stopped-flow light scattering. We were able to identify the expression of AQP3 and AQP9 in mSCs where AQP9 is more abundant than AQP3. Our results show that high E2 levels decrease AQP9 mRNA abundance with no influence on AQP3 in mSCs. Interestingly, high E2 levels decreased mSCs’ permeability to glycerol, while downregulating AQP9 expression, thus suggesting a novel mechanism by which E2 modulates fluid secretion in the testis. In conclusion, E2 is an important regulator of mSCs physiology and secretion through changes in AQP9 expression and function. Thus, alterations in glycerol permeability induced by E2 may be the cause for male infertility in cases associated with the presence of high E2 levels.

Carboxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract: a universal safeguarding mechanism?

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Mikhailov ◽  
M. Torrado
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hypothetical Explanation

Data on expression patterns of carboxylesterases in the male reproductive tract of different animal groups (i.e. bivalve mollusks, fruitflies and rodents) are summarized to highlight some particularly interesting questions in the context of sperm differentiation, maturation and function. The male reproduc-tive system, in spite of extreme variation in the anatomical/morphological organization in different species, is characterized by similar patterns of male-dependent carboxylesterase overexpression. The phenomenon of conserved carboxylesterase overexpression indicates similar male sex-associated functions of the enzymes. There is possible evidence of carboxylesterase recruitment by male reproductive-tract tissues indi-cating that it could be adaptive for spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and sperm use. Moreover, this idea can be extended to include a sperm cell lineage protection. This issue is discussed in the light of recent data on environmental reproductive xenobiotics that can provide a basis for a hypothetical explanation of car-boxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract. Based on a well-known role of car-boxylesterases in detoxification of environmental chemicals such as organophosphate pesticides, it is proposed that various male genital tract carboxylesterases may be characterized by a similar physiological function to protect the male reproductive system against xenobiotic influences that could provoke its dys-function, thus altering sperm differentiation and maturation.

Changes in distribution of labile zinc in mouse spermatozoa during maturation in the epididymis assessed by the fluorophore Zinquin

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Zalewski ◽  
X Jian ◽  
LL Soon ◽  
WG Breed ◽  
RF Seamark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Sperm Head ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Intracellular Location ◽  
And Function ◽  
Triton X

The Zn(II)-specific fluorophore Zinquin was used to determine the regional distribution of free or loosely-bound Zn(II) in mouse spermatozoa. Spermatozoa from the testes exhibited bright fluorescence over the entire head; those from the caput epididymides generally fluoresced more brightly in the post-acrosomal region; and spermatozoa from the caudae epididymides fluoresced less brightly, with foci of fluorescence over the sperm head which were lost after extraction with Triton X-100 and hence appeared to be membrane-associated. Treatment of cauda sperm with sodium dodecyl sulfate resulted in a bright uniform Zinquin fluorescence in the heads, similar to that observed in caput sperm, indicating that the two types of sperm have similar amounts of head Zn(II) but that the availability of Zn(II) for binding Zinquin is different. By contrast, the intensity of tail fluorescence was similar in spermatozoa from different regions of the male reproductive tract and was largely unaffected by Triton X-100 extraction, consistent with an intracellular location. Similar differences were observed between caput sperm and cauda sperm in the rat. It is concluded that visualization and measurement of free or loosely-bound Zn(II) in subcellular compartments of spermatozoa should facilitate investigation of the role of this metal in the development and function of spermatozoa and abnormalities that might accompany infertility and Zn(II) deficiency.

The Effect of PDE5 Inhibitors on the Male Reproductive Tract

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Sofikitis ◽  
Aris Kaltsas ◽  
Fotios Dimitriadis ◽  
Jens Rassweiler ◽  
Nikolaos Grivas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Tunica Albuginea ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
Pde5 Inhibitors ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Review Study ◽  
Phosphodiesterase 5

The therapeutic range of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5) inhibitors is getting wider in the last years. This review study focuses on the potential employment of PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the therapeutic management of male infertility. The literature tends to suggest a beneficial effect of PDE5 inhibitors on Leydig and Sertoli cells secretory function. It also appears that PDE5 inhibitors play a role in the regulation of the contractility of the testicular tunica albuginea and the epididymis. Moreover scientific data suggest that PDE5 inhibitors enhance the prostatic secretory function leading to an improvement in sperm motility. Other studies additionally demonstrate a role of PDE5 inhibitors in the regulation of sperm capacitation process. Placebo-controlled, randomized, blind studies are necessary to unambiguously incorporate PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the pharmaceutical treatment of semen disorders and male infertility.

scholarly journals ATP secretion in the male reproductive tract: essential role of CFTR

2012 ◽  
Vol 590 (17) ◽  
pp. 4209-4222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Chun Ruan ◽  
Winnie W. C. Shum ◽  
Clémence Belleannée ◽  
Nicolas Da Silva ◽  
Sylvie Breton
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Atp Secretion

scholarly journals Aberrant Contraction of Antigen-Specific CD4 T Cells after Infection in the Absence of Gamma Interferon or Its Receptor

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 6252-6263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodie S. Haring ◽  
John T. Harty
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
And Function ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Several lines of evidence from different model systems suggest that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is an important regulator of T-cell contraction after antigen (Ag)-driven expansion. To specifically investigate the role of IFN-γ in regulating the contraction of Ag-specific CD4 T cells, we infected IFN-γ−/− and IFN-γR1−/− mice with attenuated Listeria monocytogenes and monitored the numbers of Ag-specific CD4 T cells during the expansion, contraction, and memory phases of the immune response to infection. In the absence of IFN-γ or the ligand-binding portion of its receptor, Ag-specific CD4 T cells exhibited normal expansion in numbers, but in both strains of deficient mice there was very little decrease in the number of Ag-specific CD4 T cells even at time points later than day 90 after infection. This significant delay in contraction was not due to prolonged infection, since mice treated with antibiotics to conclusively eliminate infection exhibited the same defect in contraction. In addition to altering the number of Ag-specific CD4 T cells, the absence of IFN-γ signaling also changed the phenotype of cells generated after infection. IFN-γR1−/− Ag-specific CD4 T cells reacquired expression of CD127 more quickly than wild-type cells, and more IFN-γR1−/− CD4 T cells were capable of producing both IFN-γ and interleukin 2 following Ag stimulation. From these data we conclude that IFN-γ regulates the contraction, phenotype, and function of Ag-specific CD4 T cells generated after infection.

scholarly journals The role of micro-RNAs in the female reproductive tract

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 559-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren B Nothnick
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Micro Rna ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation ◽  
Micro Rnas ◽  
And Function

Proper development and function of the female reproductive tract are essential for successful reproduction. Regulation of the differentiated functions of the organs that make up the female reproductive tract is well established to occur at multiple levels including transcription, translation, and posttranslational modifications. Micro-RNA (miRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism controlling normal tissue development and function. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNAs are expressed within the organs of the female reproductive tract where they function to regulate cellular pathways necessary for proper function of these organs. In this review, the functional significance of miRNAs in the development and function of the organs of the female reproductive tract is discussed. Initial discussion focuses on the role of miRNAs in the development of the organs of the female reproductive tract highlighting recent studies that clearly demonstrate that mice with disrupted Dicer1 expression are sterile, fail to develop uterine glands, and have muted estrogen responsiveness. Next, emphasis moves to discussion on our current knowledge on the characterization of miRNA expression in each of the organs of the female reproductive tract. When possible, information is presented and discussed with respect to regulation, function, and/or functional targets of these miRNA within each specific organ of the female reproductive tract.

Role of exosomes in sperm maturation during the transit along the male reproductive tract

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sullivan ◽  
Fabrice Saez ◽  
Julie Girouard ◽  
Gilles Frenette
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Maturation ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract

scholarly journals 17β-estradiol improves hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and function through PGC1B

2017 ◽  
Vol 232 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bel M Galmés-Pascual ◽  
Antonia Nadal-Casellas ◽  
Marco Bauza-Thorbrügge ◽  
Miquel Sbert-Roig ◽  
Francisco J García-Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽  
Oxidative Capacity ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Rat Tissues ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Ovx Rats ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
And Function

Sexual dimorphism in mitochondrial biogenesis and function has been described in many rat tissues, with females showing larger and more functional mitochondria. The family of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC1) plays a central role in the regulatory network governing mitochondrial biogenesis and function, but little is known about the different contribution of hepatic PGC1A and PGC1B in these processes. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of 17β-estradiol (E2) in mitochondrial biogenesis and function in liver and assess the contribution of both hepatic PGC1A and PGC1B as mediators of these effects. In ovariectomized (OVX) rats (half of which were treated with E2) estrogen deficiency led to impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and function, increased oxidative stress, and defective lipid metabolism, but was counteracted by E2 treatment. In HepG2 hepatocytes, the role of E2 in enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and function was confirmed. These effects were unaffected by the knockdown of PGC1A, but were impaired when PGC1B expression was knocked down by specific siRNA. Our results reveal a widespread protective role of E2 in hepatocytes, which is explained by enhanced mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity, lower hepatic lipid accumulation, and a reduction of oxidative stress. We also suggest a novel hepatic protective role of PGC1B as a modulator of E2 effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and function supporting activation of PGC1B as a therapeutic target for hepatic mitochondrial disorders.

scholarly journals The Transformative Impact of Extracellular Vesicles on Developing Sperm

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Rimmer ◽  
Christopher D Gregory ◽  
Rod T Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Parent Cell ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Cell Niche ◽  
Transformative Impact

Objective To review the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from the male reproductive tract and their impact on developing sperm. We discuss how sperm exiting the seminiferous tubules, although developmentally mature, require further modification. Acquisition of various functions including increased motility, transfer of cargoes and ability to undertake the acrosome reaction are mediated through the interaction between sperm and EVs. Methods A review of the literature identified that EVs are released from different portions of the male reproductive tract, notably the epididymis and prostate. These EVs interact with sperm as they pass from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis and vas deferens prior to ejaculation. Results EVs are small lipid bound particles carrying bespoke RNA, protein and lipid cargoes. These cargoes are loaded based on the state of the parent cell and are used to communicate with recipient cells. In sperm, these cargoes are essential for post testicular modification. Sperm extracted from the proximal epididymis are poorly motile and unable to carry out the acrosome reaction. Conclusions Interaction between developing sperm and EVs is important for the subsequent function of sperm. Little is known however about EVs released from the seminiferous tubules to developing sperm or in the fetal and pre-pubertal testes. A greater understanding, especially in the formation and development of the spermatogonial stem cell niche may lead to new insights as to how damage to this niche may be prevented and preserve future fertility.

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