Cutaneous inflammation differentially regulates the expression and function of Angiotensin-II types 1 and 2 receptors in rat primary sensory neurons.

Neuropathic and inflammatory pain results from cellular and molecular changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The type-2 receptor for Angiotensin-II (AT2R) has been involved in this type of pain. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, including the role of the type-1 receptor for Angiotensin-II (AT1R).

Changes in the expression of the potassium channels TASK1, TASK3 and TRESK in a rat model of oral squamous cell carcinoma and their relation to malignancy.

Objectives: Potassium channels have been proposed to promote cancer cell proliferation and metastases. Thus, we investigated the expression pattern of three 2-pore domain potassium channels (K2Ps) TASK1, TASK3 and TRESK in advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the commonest oral malignancy.

Design: We used 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) to induce high grade OSCC in male adult rats.

The actin filament network associated to Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations.

Junctional devices in Sertoli cells conform the blood-testis barrier and play a key role in maturation and differentiation of germ cells. The spacial distribution of ectoplasmic specializations of Sertoli cells was studied by beta-actin immunolabelling, using laser confocal and transmission electron microscopy. For confocal microscopy, beta-actin immunolabelling of ectoplasmic specializations was studied over the background of either prosaposin or glutaredoxin immunolabelling of the Sertoli cytoplasm.

Nuclear pores in luteal cells during pregnancy and after parturition and pup removal in the rat. A freeze-fracture study.

In a previous paper we described a pronounced increase of apoptotic nuclei in rat corpus luteum of pregnancy whose programmed chromatin degeneration was induced by the progesterone antagonist mifepristone. Those observations encouraged us to study the apoptotic nuclear membrane during pregnancy and after parturition and pup removal, by using a freeze-fracture technique which allows us to observe 'en face' the nuclear envelop and also permits nuclear pore counting. This study was complemented with the TUNEL assay (TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling).

Administration of noradrenaline in the autonomic ganglia modifies the testosterone release from the testis using an ex vivo system.

The male gonad receives nerve fibres from the autonomic ganglionic system. These fibres converge on the testis along two pathways, the superior and the inferior spermatic nerves. The superior spermatic nerve runs from the superior mesenteric ganglion alongside the testicular artery, whereas the inferior spermatic nerve originates in inferior mesenteric ganglion, accompanies the vas deferens and penetrates the inferior pole of the testis.

Single-channel response of hamster oocytes to fertilization with homologous spermatozoa.

Electrophysiological events occur early after fertilization, along with changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Passive electrical parameters were determined in golden hamster oocytes by whole cell patch-clamp method. In separate experiments the effect of 4-aminopyridine on resting oocytes was tested.

Seasonal variations in the heterologous binding of viscacha spermatozoa. A scanning electron microscope study.

Seasonal changes in the reproductive activity of the adult male viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) were investigated during the annual reproductive cycle. Assays of heterologous in vitro binding between compatible gametes were used to evaluate the ability of viscacha spermatozoa to achieve primary binding during its annual reproductive cycle. Sperm were collected by mincing cauda epididymis in HECM-3 medium and the sperm concentration and motility were evaluated.