Germ cell apoptosis induced by experimental cryptorchidism is mediated by molecular pathways in mouse testis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to characterise the alterations in expression of some apoptosis regulators in unilaterally and bilaterally heat-treated mouse testes at different time intervals to 42 days after surgery. Cryptorchidism was induced in immature mice by returning the testis to the abdominal cavity via a surgical procedure. Transcript levels of Bax, Bcl-2 proper, p53 and survivin mRNA and protein were determined in normal and cryptorchid testes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR data verified the elevation of p53 expression and decrease of Bax and Bcl-2 proper mRNA in the cryptorchid testis in a time-dependent manner. The expression of survivin 140 and 40 variants strongly decreased in the bilateral groups compared with unilateral and control groups. These changes were significantly different in the bilateral groups in comparison with the unilateral groups. Immunohistochemistry data showed that the intensity of p53 and Bax expression mainly increased in the remainder cells in the cryptorchid testis and the rates of Bcl-2 proper and survivin expression decreased mainly in the bilateral groups. These observations suggest that multiple molecular pathways participate in the germ cell apoptosis induced by cryptorchidism.

Cadherin and vimentin immunoexpression in the testis of normal and induced infertility models of albino rats

“…This lower temperature has been shown to be essential for normal germ cells development and testicular functions [21]. Furthermore, the severe decrease in sperm production associated with Cx could be due to heat-induced germ cell apoptosis evidenced by the involvement of anti-and pro-apoptotic genes in response to heat stress [1].…”

“…On the other hand, Cx is a common congenital anomaly usually leading to clinical infertility in man due to severe decrease in sperm production [1], owing to alterations in the maturation of germ cells possibly Figure 13. Mean area percent of cadherin and vimentin immunostaining in the different groups.…”

“…Cx in man usually leads to clinical infertility due to severe decrease in sperm production. Although the pathways for germ cell apoptosis have been reported, the molecular mechanism is still not well characterised [1].…”

Orchidopexy restores morphometric-stereologic changes in the caput epididymis and daily sperm production in cryptorchidic mice, although sperm transit time and fertility parameters remain impaired

“…The condition leads to an increase in testes temperature and atrophy of seminiferous tubules. Both of these effects create unfavorable conditions for spermatogenesis (2,3) and may cause a reduced sperm count and infertility (4). The cause of cryptorchidism is multifactorial, is not completely understood (5,6), and may be considered a primary congenital abnormality of both the testes and spermatic ducts (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…The caput secretes 75% of the proteins that participate in epididymis sperm maturation (13). The aim of this study was evaluate the caput of control, cryptorchidic, and orchidopexy group mice via [1] morphometricstereologic analyses; [2] staining analyses of the proteins in the cytoskeleton involved in myoid and muscle cell activities (smooth muscle [SM] a-actin and SM myosin heavy chain [SM-MHC]); [3] serum hormone analysis and staining of the monoclonal antibody TRA54 (mouse testicular germ cells immunized to rat), which recognizes a molecular glycoprotein complex secreted by the epididymal epithelial cells in an androgen-dependent manner (13); [4] sperm transit time analysis; and [5] fertility parameter analysis.…”