A quantitative morphological study of age-related changes in the donkey testis in the period between puberty and senium.

The testis of the donkey was used as a model to study age-related changes in the period between puberty and senium. From the age of 1.5 years to the middle of sexual maturity (5 to 6 years) a number of histophysiological features, all indicative of the spermatogenetic efficiency, increase continuously.

Autonomic innervation of the bovine testis.

The autonomic nerve supply of the bovine testis is investigated in animals of different ages by means of immunohistochemistry. Staining with antiserum to protein gene product 9.5 gives the most complete results for the study of the general innervation pattern.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of nerve growth factor receptor in bovine testis.

Nerve growth factor receptor (low-affinity form) was demonstrated immunohistochemically in bovine testis by using a monoclonal mouse anti-human antibody. In the 7-month-old fetus and in the early postnatal testis, the peritubular and intertubular fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells showed a strong reaction. Following differentiation of these cells into Leydig and myoid peritubular cells, the nerve growth factor receptor was no longer expressed.

Postnatal development of ovine seminiferous tubules: an electron microscopical and morphometric study.

Corresponding to the increasing testicular volume and the histological appearance of the testicular parenchyma, the postnatal ontogenesis of the ovine testis can be divided into five phases. During the prebubertal period (phases 1-III), seminiferous tubules are solid and contain supporting (pre-Sertoli) cells as well as up to three types of germ cells: prespermatogonia I, II and spermatogonia precursor cells. In phase I, only prespermatogonia I are present and can usually be observed at the center of the seminiferous tubules.

Molecular mechanisms of TNFalpha cytotoxicity: activation of NF-kappaB and nuclear translocation.

The murine fibrosarcoma cell line WEHI 164 is well known for its susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha). We have studied the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB when WEHI 164 cells are challenged with TNFalpha. NF-kappaB is retained in the cytoplasm of unchallenged cells by its inhibitor IkappaB-alpha.

Measurement of cytotoxicity by propidium iodide staining of target cell DNA. Application to the quantification of murine TNF-alpha.

A rapid and sensitive method is described for the determination of murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), which can be performed in microtiter plates using a fluorescence plate scanner. The method is based on the binding of propidium iodide (PI), a membrane-impermeant dye, to nucleic acids of WEHI 164 cells, whose plasma membrane permeable due to TNF-alpha-induced cell damage. The analytical range for the proposed method is 0.

Immunohistochemical study of seminiferous epithelium in adult bovine testis using monoclonal antibodies against Ki-67 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

The distribution pattern of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 protein was studied in adult bovine seminiferous epithelium by means of immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies. Tailoring the methodological protocol for each of the two proliferation markers was a necessary prerequisite for obtaining optimal results in tubular sections and whole-mounts. A-, I- and B-spermatogonia displayed PCNA-positive nuclei, except during meta-, ana- and telophases of mitosis.

Activation of murine macrophages by silica particles in vitro is a process independent of silica-induced cell death.

We have tested the murine macrophagic cell line RAW 264.7 for its ability to undergo activation after exposure to silica particles in vitro. When exposed to silica under controlled conditions (each cell having access to about 10 silica particles), RAW 264.

Evolution and ultrastructure of the bovine spermatogonia precursor cell line.

The spermatogonial stem cell line in prepubertal and adult bovine testis was studied by electron microscopy and protein gene product 9.5 immunohistochemistry. Three successive spermatogonia precursor cell configurations were observed.

Seasonal changes in the intertubular tissue of the camel testis (Camelus dromedarius).

The morphology and morphometry of camel testicular intertubular tissue are reported for different seasons of the year. The intertubular tissue occupies a comparatively large portion of the camel testis ranging from about 24% in autumn to about 39% in spring. The volume percentages of the different intertubular tissue constituents, namely Leydig cells, blood vessels, lymph vessels and various connective tissue components, also display clear seasonal changes.

Immunolocalization of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in non-proliferating epithelial cells of the male urogenital tract.

The localization of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in the male urogenital tract (including seminal vesicles and prostate) of the mouse and bull was investigated using immunocytochemical and immunochemical methods in order to better understand the function of this glycoprotein in non-neural tissues. L1 antibodies labeled non-myelinated nerves in all portions of the urogenital tract investigated. However, L1 immunoreactivity was also found between epithelial cells of several regions of the urogenital system including epididymal tail, deferent duct, ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicles.

Isolation of nine gene sequences induced by silica in murine macrophages.

Macrophage activation by silica is the initial step in the development of silicosis. To identify genes that might be involved in silica-mediated activation, RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were treated with silica for 48 h, and a subtracted cDNA library enriched for silica-induced genes (SIG) was constructed and differentially screened.

Aluminium and silicon speciation in human serum by lon-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and gel electrophoresis.

Speciation of aluminium and silicon in serum was studied by a reliable and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (HPLC-ETAAS) hybrid method, based on the use of a polymeric anion-exchange column (Protein-Pak DEAE-5PW). This polymer-based column minimizes the risk of aluminium losses and of silicon contamination from the column during separation. The results obtained were compared with the results of previous studies carried out using different, complementary techniques including ultramicrofiltration, gel filtration and silica-based column for HPLC.

Configuration and distribution of bovine spermatogonia.

The configuration and distribution of bovine spermatogonia, preleptotene primary spermatocytes and Sertoli cells in the basal seminiferous tubular compartment have been studied by means of whole-mount preparations, immunohistochemistry and quantitative morphology. Three types of spermatogonia (Sg) can be identified. Large A-spermatogonia are irregularly distributed in the tubular periphery.

Distribution pattern of F-actin, vimentin and alpha-tubulin in the bovine testis during postnatal development.

The distribution of F-actin, vimentin and alpha-tubulin was studied immunohistochemically in bovine seminiferous and straight testicular tubules, rete testis and intertubular tissue during postnatal development. Sites of antigenicity were detected by ABC immunoperoxidase technique and visualized by metal-enhanced deposition of diaminobenzidine. Within the seminiferous epithelium, F-actin appears at 20 weeks and is found in adult Sertoli cells as part of specialized cell contacts.

Quantitative morphology of the ovine seminiferous epithelium.

Ultrastructural features and morphometric values of ovine Sertoli and spermatogenic cells are reported with special reference to the 6 stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Seminiferous tubules occupy about 83% of the testicular parenchyma. Average tubular diameter (about 275 microns) and epithelial height (about 95 microns) do not vary significantly during the cycle.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of cytoskeletal proteins in the ovine testis during postnatal development.

The distribution pattern of actin, desmin, vimentin and tubulin in the ovine testis during postnatal development was investigated by means of immunohistochemical methods. The postnatal development of the ovine testis can be divided into five phases. Phases I through III represent the prepubertal period, phase IV puberty and phase V the postpubertal adult stage.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of cytoskeletal proteins in seminiferous tubules of adult rams and bulls.

The immunohistochemical localization of actin, vimentin and tubulin in adult ovine and bovine seminiferous tubules was studied at both the light and electron microscopical levels, using an improved methodical protocol. alpha-smooth muscle actin and structural F-actin were found to be present in myoid peritubular cells. Structural F-actin also occurs in Sertoli cells at three localizations; 1) As part of the Sertoli-Sertoli-junctions in a stage-dependent manner; 2) where Sertoli cells are in contact with spermatocytes; 3) in ectoplasmic specializations lining the recesses that support elongating spermatid heads.

The bovine tubouterine junction: general innervation pattern and distribution of adrenergic, cholinergic, and peptidergic nerve fibers.

The innervation of the bovine tubouterine junction was studied in sexually mature heifers using antisera against various neuronal markers and a modified acetylcholinesterase method. The vast majority of the nerve fibres in the bovine tubouterine junction belongs to the sympathetic nervous system; peptidergic and cholinergic fibers are restricted to characteristic locations. The endosalpinx in the adovarian portion of the terminal tubal segment is poorly innervated.

Lack of effect of acetaldehyde on the cardiovascular system in rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the kinetics of acetaldehyde (ACT) and and its action on the cardiovascular system in rats. ACT (3, 6, 12 mg/kg i.p.

Expression of the proliferation-associated Ki-67 antigen in bovine testicular tubular cells during the seminiferous epithelial cycle, demonstrated with the MIB-1 antibody.

Ki-67 expression in the seminiferous tubule of the bovine testis was studied by immunohistochemistry during the seminiferous epithelial cycle using the monoclonal antibody MIB-1. Spermatogonial proliferation is most obvious in stages 5-7, and 8, when B-spermatogonia divide. A lower rate of spermatogonial propagation is observed preceding or during meiosis in stages 1-4.

The innervation of the bovine ductus deferens: comparison of a modified acetylcholinesterase-reaction with immunoreactivities of cholinacetyltransferase and panneuronal markers.

The innervation pattern of the bovine deferent duct was studied by acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-histochemistry and by immunohistochemical methods. Using antibodies against protein gene product-9.5 (PGP-9.

The bovine tubouterine junction: general organization and surface morphology.

The bovine tubouterine junction is composed of three parts (terminal tubal segment, transition region proper, uterine apex) and follows a sigmoidal course displaying a tubal and an uterine curvature. In the terminal tubal segment, 4-8 primary longitudinal folds and a system of lower secondary folds, ridges and chords project into the centrally located lumen. The transition region proper possesses a slit-like lumen because of the existence of a thick mucosal pad containing the first uterine glands.