WITHDRAWN: Distribution of the Novel RFRP-3/receptors system in the epididymis of the seasonal desert rodent, Gerbillus tarabuli, during sexual activity.

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Apoptosis in epididymis of sand rat Psammomys obesus, Cretzschmar, 1828: Effects of seasonal variations, castration and efferent duct ligation.

The aim of this study was to visualize apoptosis throughout the reproductive cycle and after castration, castration then treatment with testosterone, and ligation of efferent ducts. The sand rat, Psammomysobesus, Cretzschmar 1828, is a diurnal rodent belonging to the family Gerbillidae. Its breeding cycle is seasonal with reproduction in autumn, winter and early spring and a short resting period from late spring to early summer.

Immunodistribution of RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) during the seminiferous epithelium cycle in a desert rodent Psammomys obesus.

The Sand rat, Psammomys obesus, living northwest of the Algerian Sahara, presents a seasonal reproductive cycle. The purposes of this study were firstly to determine the stages of seminiferous epithelium cycle (SEC) by histological and morphometric analysis and secondly to investigate, for the first time, the testicular expression of RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) during the SEC by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the SEC consists of 14 stages according to the tubular morphology method.

Kidney functional morphology variations between spring and winter in the Saharan male lizard Uromastyx acanthinura (Sauria, Agamidae), with special reference to body water economy.

To better understand the adaptive mechanisms in Uromastyx acanthinura to the seasonal variations in the arid environment, the present study aimed to explore the kidney functional morphology involved in body water economy. These investigations were carried out by the histological, histochemical and immuno-histochemical methods using conventional light microscopy. The glomeruli number is estimated at 2000 per kidney.

G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1, oestrogen receptors and androgen receptor in the sand rat (Psammomys obesus) efferent ducts.

Background: The efferent ducts are mainly involved in the reabsorption of the seminiferous tubular fluid. Testosterone and oestrogens regulate efferent ducts functions via their receptors.

Materials And Methods: This paper presents an experimental investigation on the location of the P450 aromatase, the 17-b oestradiol (E2), the androgen receptor (AR), the oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), the oestrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) and the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in the efferent ducts using Psammomys obesus as an animal model to highlight the effect of the season on the histology and the distribution of these receptors.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and myocardial remodeling in the sand rat, Psammomys obesus.

Objective: Numerous studies have shown that a methionine-rich diet induces hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy), a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The objective of the present study was to determine the involvement of Hhcy in cardiac remodeling in the sand rat Psammomys obesus.

Materials And Methods: An experimental Hhcy was induced, in the sand rat Psammomys obesus, by intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg of body weight/day of methionine for 1 month.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Calpains in the Amphibian Xenopus laevis.

Though histochemical techniques have been used for decades, they are still very important in basic research. They make it possible to work on fixed tissues and provide a large amount of information in a relatively short time and at a low cost. Here we describe methods for indirect immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on sections of tadpoles and tissues of adult amphibians belonging to the species Xenopus laevis.

Immunolocalization of RFamide-related peptide 3 in a desert rodent Gerbillus tarabuli during seminiferous epithelium cycle.

Gerbillus tarabuli is a nocturnal seasonal breeder desert rodent with a main breeding season in spring and summer, and sexual quiescence in winter. This species is an interesting model for studying testis function in rodents. Therefore, the present study was performed firstly to investigate the stages of seminiferous epithelium cycle of Gerbillus tarabuli with a histological, morphometric and statistical study.

Study of the hydromineral regulation of Typhlonectes compressicauda according to the seasonal variation.

Introduction: Typhlonectes compressicauda is a viviparous gymnophionan amphibian living in tropical areas of South America. This lengthened amphibian is submitted to seasonal variations characterized by the rainy season (from January to June) and the dry season (from July to December). The mineral homeostasis in amphibians is partly ensured by the neurohormones arginine-vasotocin (AVT), and mesotocin (MST).

Seasonal changes in plasma testosterone and cortisol suggest an androgen mediated regulation of the pituitary adrenal axis in the Tarabul's gerbil Gerbillus tarabuli (Thomas, 1902).

In the desert gerbil Gerbillus tarabuli (Thomas, 1902), cortisol is the main glucocorticosteroid produced by the adrenal glands. Plasma cortisol concentrations show highest values when testosterone is reduced and lowest values during the breeding season which occurs from early winter to late spring. In order to specify the implication of testicular androgens in these corticosteroid seasonal variations we investigated the effects induced by gonadectomy performed during the breeding season on the pituitary adrenal axis.

GPER1 in sand rat epididymis: Effects of seasonal variations, castration and efferent ducts ligation.

Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating epididymal function and development. Estrogen signaling is mediated via two main receptors essentially involved in the genomic regulating pathway: ERα and ERβ. Recent studies revealed the contribution of a novel estrogen receptor involved in the non-genomic pathway: GPER1.

The role of homocysteine in seminal vesicles remodeling in rat.

Introduction: Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with several tissue injuries including heart and liver fibrosis. In these diseases, hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) plays a major role in modulating the alteration of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), leading to the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Since the effect of Hhcy on ECM of seminal vesicle was not studied, the aim of our research was to check if Hcy can induce a remodeling within seminal vesicles ECM.

Seasonal variations of aromatase and estrogen receptors expression in the testis of free-ranging sand rats.

An increasing number of studies revealed the importance of estrogen in male reproduction. However, most research was conducted in laboratory rodents subjected to standardized environmental conditions. Therefore, seasonal regulations of estrogen pathways remain poorly understood under natural conditions.

Seasonal morphophysiological variations in the prostatic complex of the Tarabul's gerbil (Gerbillus tarabuli).

Gerbillus tarabuli is a nocturnal Saharan rodent which has an annual reproductive cycle characterized by the reproductive activity in spring and a long phase of sexual quiescence in other seasons. We describe the morphology and hormonal regulation of the prostatic complex of this rodent in the two periods, based on anatomical, histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. The organisation of this prostatic complex is similar to that reported for Meriones unguiculatus, but different from the prostate of Psammomys obesus, the rat, and the mouse.

17β-estradiol effect on testicular β-endorphin expression in Psammomys obesus.

Introduction: Testicular function in the sand rodent Psammomys obesus is subjected to seasonal alternations with a trigger of spermatogenesis in winter and a total quiescence which extends from late spring to summer. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of b-endorphin in the testis at the period of winter sexual activity and at its summer regression, and assess the effect of 17 β-estradiol treatment on testicular morphology and b-endorphin expression.

Material And Methods: The adult males were grouped into 4 groups (rest group, sexually active group, rest treated with 17β-estradiol group and controls at sexual rest injected with olive oil, n = 5 in each group).

Protective effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on liver and kidney oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by endosulfan in pregnant rats.

Endosulfan (EDS) is one of the most widely organochlorine insecticide used in many parts of the world, although it is currently banned or severely restricted in use in some countries. EDS causes a variety of negative effects in non-target species including humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by EDS intoxication on liver and kidneys of pregnant rats.

Protective effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on liver and kidney oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by endosulfan in pregnant rats.

Endosulfan (EDS) is one of the most widely organochlorine insecticide used in many parts of the world, although it is currently banned or severely restricted in use in some countries. EDS causes a variety of negative effects in non-target species including humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by EDS intoxication on liver and kidneys of pregnant rats.

Relationships between calpains and glutamate- or kainate-induced apoptosis in Xenopus laevis tadpoles.

Cell glutamate-damage induced by overstimulation of ionotropic receptors is initiated by modification of the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and the concomitant activation of Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteases, the calpain and caspase families. The resultant cleavage of target molecules mediates a critical function in the execution of the cell death. In this work, we investigated relationships between the activity of calpain and glutamate-orkainate-induced apoptosis in several organs of Xenopus laevis tadpole.

Immunolocalization of estrogen and androgen receptors in the caput epididymidis of the fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus): Effects of seasonal variations, castration and efferent duct ligation.

The fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus) is a model to study seasonal reproductive cycle changes and several metabolic disorders. In order to show a possible involvement of estrogens in the male reproductive functions, the expression of estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and androgen receptor (AR) were investigated in the caput epididymidis of fat sand rats during the breeding season, resting season, after castration, after castration followed by testosterone treatment, and after ligation of efferent ducts. In the breeding season, principal cells presented a strong immunostaining of AR in both nuclei and cytoplasm, a strong staining of ESR1, mainly in the apical zone, and a strong immunoexpression of ESR2, mainly in nuclei.

Postnatal changes in testicular development and androgen receptors immunolocalization in D'Man ram lambs.

The purpose of this study was to characterize testicular development in D'Man ram lambs, focusing primarily on androgen receptors (ARs) immunolocalization in the adenohypophysis and testis that is not still known in the D'Man ram lamb. Lambs (n = 12) were divided into four groups (three lambs per group). Adenohypophysis and testis were fixed and paraffin embedded; cross-section (3 μm) were stained and evaluated with immunohistochemistry.

Exogenous growth hormone attenuates cognitive deficits induced by intermittent hypoxia in rats.

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB), which is characterized by intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep, causes substantial cardiovascular and neurocognitive complications and has become a growing public health problem. SDB is associated with suppression of growth hormone (GH) secretion, the latter being integrally involved in the growth, development, and function of the CNS. Since GH treatment is able to attenuate neurocognitive deficits in a hypoxic-ischemic stroke model, GH, GH receptor (GHR) mRNA expression, and GH protein expression were assessed in rat hippocampus after exposures to chronic sustained hypoxia (CH, 10% O(2)) or IH (10% O(2) alternating with 21% O(2) every 90 s).

Ecotoxicological effects of an aged TiO2 nanocomposite measured as apoptosis in the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris after exposure through water, food and soil.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles seem to have a low toxicity to terrestrial organisms, though few studies are published in this area. TiO(2) used in sunscreens are nanocomposites where TiO(2) has been coated with magnesium, silica or alumina, as well as amphiphilic organics like polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), and these coatings are modified by ageing. We assessed the ecotoxicity and propensity for bioaccumulation of an aged TiO(2) nanocomposite used in sunscreen cosmetics, and its potential effect on the frequency of apoptosis in different earthworm tissues.

Calpains expression during Xenopus laevis development.

Calpains are cytoplasmic proteases activated by calcium, implicated in cell differentiation and apoptosis. The best characterized enzymes are calpains 1-3. The aim of this work was to localize calpains 1-3 during the development of Xenopus laevis in order to clarify the function of these three proteases.