We have investigated the toxic effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) on the epididymis and epididymal sperm in mice. Mice were exposed to TCE (1000 ppm) by inhalation for 6 h/day for 5 days/week for 1 to 4 weeks. Segments of the epididymis (caput, corpus and cauda) were examined by light and electron microscopy. At the light microscopic level, degeneration and sloughing of epithelial cells were evident as early as 1 week after TCE exposure, and were most pronounced after 4 weeks. Such epithelial damage was observed in the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis. Ultrastructural observations revealed vesiculation in the cytoplasm, disintegration of basolateral cell membranes, and sloughing of epithelial cells. Sperm were found in situ in the cytoplasm of degenerated epididymal cells. Additionally, a large number of sperm in the epididymal lumen exhibited abnormalities including malformation of head and tail components. Our results demonstrated that exposure to TCE by inhalation causes damage to the epididymal epithelium and sperm.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.14670/HH-22.977 | DOI Listing |
Unlabelled: Autoimmune regulator (AIRE), a transcription factor expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells, is required for shaping the self-antigen tolerant T cell receptor repertoire. Humans with mutations in suffer from Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1). Among many symptoms, men with APS-1 commonly experience testicular insufficiency and infertility, but the mechanisms causing infertility are unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenes (Basel)
December 2024
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China.
Background/objectives: UFMylation, a newly identified ubiquitin-like modification, modulates a variety of physiological processes, including endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis maintenance, DNA damage response, embryonic development, and tumor progression. Recent reports showed that UFMylation plays a protective role in preventing liver steatosis and fibrosis, serving as a defender of liver homeostasis in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, the regulation of UFMylation in MASLD remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDomest Anim Endocrinol
January 2025
BIOFITER-IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Facultad de Veterinaria, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address:
This review presents recent findings on the effect of melatonin on ram spermatozoa. This hormone regulates seasonal reproduction in the ovine species through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, but it also exerts direct effects on spermatogenesis, seminal quality and fertility. In the testis, melatonin stimulates blood flow to this organ, but it also appears to be involved in the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells and the secretion of testosterone through the MT1 and MT2 receptors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Trace Elem Res
January 2025
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, 671003, China.
The aim of this study was to explore the role of the ZnT9 protein in obesity-induced sperm maturation disorders in men. We generated a mouse model of obesity-induced weak spermatogenesis via a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. In addition to the HFD, a 5-week intervention of salubrinal (SAL) (an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum stress) (1 mg/kg/day), ZnSO (15 mg/kg/day), and their combination was started at week 6, after which sperm viability and epididymal tissue damage were assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochem Biophys Rep
March 2025
Basic Medical Laboratory, People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
Previous studies have confirmed that burns and scalds can lead to metabolic disorders in the liver. However, the effects of severe burns at various time points on liver lipid metabolism disorders, as well as the relationship between these disorders and liver function, metabolism, and infection, have not yet been investigated.This study established a SD rat scald model, macroscopic observation of weight changes, histological staining, Western blot detection of fat browning and metabolic indicators, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the expression of liver new fat generation genes, determination of liver function and inflammatory indicators.
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