CASE REPORT: Unilateral Neonatal Testicular Torsion

Juretschke, Linda J.

doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2000.tb02765.x

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…Testicular torsion is a medical emergency and a source of morbidity, especially in neonatal or adolescent males [2,3]. Rotation of the testis and torsion of the spermatic cord leading to a reduction or blockage in blood flow to the testis can result in testicular ischemic injury, including germ-cell loss, aspermatogenesis, and testicular atrophy [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stimulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha (HIF-1α) Protein in the Adult Rat Testis Following Ischemic Injury Occurs Without an Increase in HIF-1α Messenger RNA Expression1

Powell

Elshtein

Forest

et al. 2002

Biology of Reproduction

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Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor composed of alpha and beta subunits. Stabilized from proteasome degradation and activated by hypoxia, HIF-1 stimulates expression of hypoxia-sensitive genes that mediate oxygen homeostasis in many tissues. Our hypothesis is that HIF-1 is involved in the cellular response to hypoxia in the ischemic testis. Goals of this study were to determine if HIF-1alpha mRNA is expressed in the testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands of adult Sprague-Dawley rats and to determine if HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein expression in the testis is affected by experimentally induced ischemia. Total RNA from reproductive organs of adult rats was analyzed by relative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. HIF-1alpha mRNA showed equal expression in testis, all segments of epididymis, ductus deferens, accessory sex glands, and penis. To examine the effects of ischemia on HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein expression in the testis, rats were subjected to unilateral testicular ischemia by placing a ligature around spermatic artery or ischemia-inducing experimental torsion and reperfusion. RT-PCR revealed that HIF-1alpha mRNA expression at all times of ischemic treatment and reperfusion was unchanged compared with normoxic controls. HIF-1alpha protein was detected by immunoblot analysis of nuclear protein extracts from normoxic testes. Steady-state levels of HIF-1alpha protein were stimulated by 15 min of ischemia and showed a 2-fold increase at 30 min and 1, 3, and 6 h. HIF-1alpha protein was also elevated by experimental torsion and reperfusion compared with normoxic controls. These results support the hypothesis that HIF-1 may play a role in the cellular response to hypoxia in the ischemic testis.

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