Utilizaram-se 27 ratos Wistar, machos com 98 dias de idade, originados do Biotério da FMVZ-USP, com o objetivo de avaliar os possíveis efeitos do diabetes mellitus, sobre a função reprodutiva relacionada ao macho.Os animais foram divididos em três grupos, grupo A (GA) constituído de 10 animais sadios, grupo B (GB) constituído de oito ratos Wistar, com diabetes mellitus induzida quimicamente através da administração intraperitonial de estreptozotocina (65mg/Kg) e grupo C (GC) constituído por nove animais com diabetes mellitus induzida quimicamente pela administração intraperitonial de estreptozotocina (65mg/Kg), associada a insulinoterapia (3UI/rato por dia). Após quatro dias da administração da droga (GB e GC), os animais pertencentes ao grupo C (GC) receberam insulinoterapia (três IU/rato/dia) durante 42 dias. No final do experimento (46 dias após a administração da estreptozotocina), os animais foram sacrificados e foram observados os seguintes resultados; O diabetes mellitus leva ao aumento da glicemia, diminuição do peso corpóreo, diminuição do peso e tamanho testicular, diminuição das concentrações séricas de testosterona e FSH. Porém através da avaliação dos níveis séricos de inibina B, foi constatado que o diabetes não promove nem redução, nem aumento das concentrações séricas desse hormônio. Conclui-se também que a reposição exógena de insulina foi capaz de impedir a diminuição do peso corporal, redução do peso testicular, diminuição dos níveis de testosterona e FSH, porém apesar da insulinoterapia ter impedido a diminuição do peso corpóreo, não foi capaz de proporcionar o mesmo desenvolvimento corporal observado nos animais controle. / The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the possible effect of diabetes mellitus, on the reproductive function in male rats. Towards this end, 27 male Wistar rats (98 days old), housed at the FMVZ-USP animal holding facility, were randomly assigned into three groups: Group A (GA) consisting of 10 healthy animals; Group B(GB) consisting of eight Wistar rats, with diabetes mellitus chemically induced through the intraperitoneal administration of estreptozotocin (65mg/Kg); and C group (GC) constituted by nine animals with diabetes mellitus chemically induced by the intraperitoneal administration of estreptozotocin (65mg/Kg), associate to an insulin treatment (3IU/rat per day for 42 days) that begun 4 days after the streptozotocin administration. Animals were euthanized 46 days after the administration of the estreptozotocin and the following results were obtained: diabetes mellitus led to an increase of the glicemia, reduction of the corporeal weight, decreased testicular wheight, serum concentrations of testosterone and FSH. No effect of diabeted were found for the serum levels of inhibin B. Results suggested that the exogen replacement of insulin was capable of hindering the reduction on corporal weight, reduction of testicular weight and reduction of the testosterone levels and FSH. On the other hand despite the fact that insulin treatament was capable of avoiding the reduction on bofy weight, it was not capable to provide similar body development observed in the normal animals.

No description available.

Abstract not available

The Sertoli cell tight junction (TJ) of the seminiferous epithelium is important for the developmental process of spermatogenesis as it separates germ cells in the seminiferous tubules from the general circulation in the testicular interstitium. Absence of the TJ leads to spermatogenic arrest and infertility. TJs form at puberty as circulating gonadotrophins luteinising hormone/testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone increase. Several studies have demonstrated hormonal regulation of the two major TJ proteins, claudin-11 and occludin, and also of TJ function in vitro and in vivo. Men with low levels of circulating gonadotrophins exhibit an immature and dysfunctional TJ phenotype, which is reversed upon the exogenous application of gonadotrophins. This thesis hypothesises that claudin-11 and occludin are the major contributors to TJ function, and that gonadotrophins regulate TJ function and structure via these two proteins in several species including humans. This PhD was divided into four separate studies to address these hypotheses. The first study selectively silenced the genetic expression of claudin-11 and occludin with small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured immature rat Sertoli cells to determine their contribution to Sertoli cell TJ function in vitro. siRNA treatment against either protein significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced TJ function by ~50% as assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance. Immunocytochemistry displayed marked reductions in the localisation of these proteins to the TJ after siRNA treatment. It was concluded that both proteins significantly contributed to TJ function in vitro. The second and third studies then aimed to study hormonal regulation of the TJ in vivo. Weekly injections of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist acyline were used to suppress circulating gonadotrophins and spermatogenesis in adult rats. Acyline treatment disrupted i) the localisation of occludin to the TJ and ii) TJ function as shown by permeability to a biotin tracer, which was impermeable to TJs in controls. Short-term hormone replacement partially restored the effects of gonadotrophin suppression. It was concluded that gonadotrophins regulate the maintenance of the TJ in rats in vivo. The third study used the hypogonadal (hpg) mouse, which is a naturally occurring model of gonadotrophin deficiency with inactive spermatogenesis. Claudin-11 in hpg mice was not localised at the TJs, and these were dysfunctional as shown by permeability to biotin. Following hormone treatment, TJs were structurally and functionally competent, demonstrating that gonadotrophins also regulate the formation of TJs in vivo. The fourth study subsequently analysed TJs in gonadotrophin suppressed men, and it was found that claudin-11 staining was reduced from continuous bands in control men, to punctate staining in gonadotrophin-suppressed men, demonstrating that gonadotrophins also regulate the localisation of claudin-11 to the TJ in men in vivo. In summary, it is concluded that the Sertoli cell TJ is hormonally regulated, and that the major contributors to TJ function in vivo and in vitro are claudin-11 and occludin. It is hypothesised that the reduction of claudin-11 localisation to the TJ in men may also result in a loss of human Sertoli cell TJ function, suggesting that the TJ may be a potential target of hormonal contraception in men.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

<p>An up-regulation of gene expression of the gonadotropin receptors FSHR and LHR, and a down-regulation of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), in the gonads of early maturing male Atlantic salmon parr (<em>Salmo salar</em>) have been shown to take place during the process of sexual maturation. It has however not been determined if this happens prior to or after the onset of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to see if such an up-regulation of the gene expression of FSHR and LHR mRNA, and down-regulation of AMH in the gonad tissue could be seen prior to the onset of spermatogenesis in early maturing salmon. For this study gonad tissues were sampled before and after the onset of spermatogenesis. Small pieces of testis tissue were removed using surgery from individually tagged one year old male Atlantic salmon parr in April prior to the onset of spermatogenesis. The same salmon were sampled again in July and maturing and non-maturing fish could be distinguished by differences in GSI. Each tissue sample from April could be matched with the July sample from the same individual by pit-tag numbers. This made it possible to separate the April samples into a maturing and non-maturing group. Gene expression levels were analysed using real-time PCR. The findings of this study showed that all three genes were expressed in the gonads in April but no significant difference in expression levels between maturing and non-maturing salmon was seen for any of the genes, which indicate that no up- or down-regulations had taken place in early maturing fish at this time. In July however, total FSHR and LHR expression levels/testis were significantly higher in maturing salmon which is in accordance with previous studies. AMH expression levels/unit RNA in July were found to be on average 25 times higher in the non-maturing group. A 100-fold drop in AMH from April through July was seen in the maturing fish, while only a 4-fold drop was seen in the non-maturing group which may indicate that a down-regulation of AMH expression took place as spermatogenesis was initiated in the maturing males.</p> / <p>En uppreglering av genuttrycket av gonadotropinreceptorerna (FSHR och LHR) samt en nedreglering av anti-Müllerian hormon (AMH) har observerats i gonaderna under spermatogenesen hos tidigt mognande atlantlaxhanar (<em>Salmo salar</em>). Man har dock inte kunnat visa huruvida detta sker före eller efter spermatogenesen inletts. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om en uppreglering av FSHR och LHR samt en nedreglering av AMH kunde ses hos tidigt mognande laxar redan före spermatogenesen inletts. I den här studien användes gonadprover tagna före och efter spermatogenesen inletts. Små gonadvävnadsprover togs från individuellt märkta ettåriga atlantlaxhanar i april, före spermatogenesen inletts, genom ett operativt ingrepp. I juli togs sedan gonadprover från samma individer igen och mognande och icke-mognande individer kunde nu särskiljas genom deras GSI-värden. Varje gonadprov från april kunde matchas med proverna från juli för samtliga individer genom att jämföra pit-tag nummer och möjliggjorde att även aprilproverna kunde sorteras i en mognande och en icke-mognande grupp. Nivåerna av genuttryck av mRNA analyserades med real-time PCR. Resultaten från denna studie visade att alla tre generna var uttryckta i de omogna gonaderna i april men det var ingen signifikant skillnad mellan de mognande och icke-mognande fiskarna för någon av generna, vilket betyder att det ännu inte skett någon upp- eller nedreglering vid denna tidpunkt hos de tidigt mognande fiskarna. I juli var dock de totala FSHR och LHR mRNA nivåerna/testikel signifikant högre hos mognande fiskar vilket överrensstämmer med tidigare studier. AMH mRNA/enhet RNA var uttryckt 25 gånger högre i de omogna gonaderna jämfört med de mognande. Mellan april och juli föll AMH nivåerna hos mognande fiskar nästan 100 gånger, medan de hos de omogna minskade endast 4 gånger vilket kan indikera att en nedreglering av genuttrycket för AMH skett i de individer där spermatogenesen inletts.</p>

An up-regulation of gene expression of the gonadotropin receptors FSHR and LHR, and a down-regulation of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), in the gonads of early maturing male Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) have been shown to take place during the process of sexual maturation. It has however not been determined if this happens prior to or after the onset of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to see if such an up-regulation of the gene expression of FSHR and LHR mRNA, and down-regulation of AMH in the gonad tissue could be seen prior to the onset of spermatogenesis in early maturing salmon. For this study gonad tissues were sampled before and after the onset of spermatogenesis. Small pieces of testis tissue were removed using surgery from individually tagged one year old male Atlantic salmon parr in April prior to the onset of spermatogenesis. The same salmon were sampled again in July and maturing and non-maturing fish could be distinguished by differences in GSI. Each tissue sample from April could be matched with the July sample from the same individual by pit-tag numbers. This made it possible to separate the April samples into a maturing and non-maturing group. Gene expression levels were analysed using real-time PCR. The findings of this study showed that all three genes were expressed in the gonads in April but no significant difference in expression levels between maturing and non-maturing salmon was seen for any of the genes, which indicate that no up- or down-regulations had taken place in early maturing fish at this time. In July however, total FSHR and LHR expression levels/testis were significantly higher in maturing salmon which is in accordance with previous studies. AMH expression levels/unit RNA in July were found to be on average 25 times higher in the non-maturing group. A 100-fold drop in AMH from April through July was seen in the maturing fish, while only a 4-fold drop was seen in the non-maturing group which may indicate that a down-regulation of AMH expression took place as spermatogenesis was initiated in the maturing males. / En uppreglering av genuttrycket av gonadotropinreceptorerna (FSHR och LHR) samt en nedreglering av anti-Müllerian hormon (AMH) har observerats i gonaderna under spermatogenesen hos tidigt mognande atlantlaxhanar (Salmo salar). Man har dock inte kunnat visa huruvida detta sker före eller efter spermatogenesen inletts. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om en uppreglering av FSHR och LHR samt en nedreglering av AMH kunde ses hos tidigt mognande laxar redan före spermatogenesen inletts. I den här studien användes gonadprover tagna före och efter spermatogenesen inletts. Små gonadvävnadsprover togs från individuellt märkta ettåriga atlantlaxhanar i april, före spermatogenesen inletts, genom ett operativt ingrepp. I juli togs sedan gonadprover från samma individer igen och mognande och icke-mognande individer kunde nu särskiljas genom deras GSI-värden. Varje gonadprov från april kunde matchas med proverna från juli för samtliga individer genom att jämföra pit-tag nummer och möjliggjorde att även aprilproverna kunde sorteras i en mognande och en icke-mognande grupp. Nivåerna av genuttryck av mRNA analyserades med real-time PCR. Resultaten från denna studie visade att alla tre generna var uttryckta i de omogna gonaderna i april men det var ingen signifikant skillnad mellan de mognande och icke-mognande fiskarna för någon av generna, vilket betyder att det ännu inte skett någon upp- eller nedreglering vid denna tidpunkt hos de tidigt mognande fiskarna. I juli var dock de totala FSHR och LHR mRNA nivåerna/testikel signifikant högre hos mognande fiskar vilket överrensstämmer med tidigare studier. AMH mRNA/enhet RNA var uttryckt 25 gånger högre i de omogna gonaderna jämfört med de mognande. Mellan april och juli föll AMH nivåerna hos mognande fiskar nästan 100 gånger, medan de hos de omogna minskade endast 4 gånger vilket kan indikera att en nedreglering av genuttrycket för AMH skett i de individer där spermatogenesen inletts.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-107). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-107). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 180 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-151).