Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy / On leaving the testis, spermatozoa can neither swim nor fertilize the oocyte. These functional properties are acquired as spermatozoa engage in a process of post-testicular maturation in the epididymis. The studies described in this thesis were designed to elucidate some of the fundamental mechanisms associated with the regulation of epididymal maturation in mouse spermatozoa. The initial studies described in this thesis investigated the expression of a cAMP/PKAdependent, tyrosine phosphorylation signaling pathway that becomes activated during epididymal sperm maturation. It was demonstrated that the entry of spermatozoa into the epididymis was accompanied by the sudden stimulation of this pathway, initially in the principal piece of the cell and subsequently in the midpiece. The competence of these cells to phosphorylate the entire sperm tail, particularly the mitochondria, was accompanied by a capacity to exhibit hyperactivated motility on stimulation with cAMP. A distinctly different pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation involving the acrosomal domain of the sperm head was provoked as spermatozoa entered the caput epididymis and then remained high until these cells entered the distal corpus and cauda. However, tyrosine dephosphorylation of the sperm acrosomal domain during epididymal transit did not appear to be functionally involved in controlling the acrosome reaction. Research into the biochemical basis of sperm epididymal maturation revealed that this process was associated with the activation of sperm mitochondria, leading to the creation of a mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and activation of mitochondrial free radical generation. Immature caput spermatozoa displayed a low MMP whereas mature caudal spermatozoa actively maintained a high MMP. Moreover mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be triggered by antimycin A in mature caudal spermatozoa but not in immature caput spermatozoa, suggesting a lack of electron flux in the latter. The molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating mitochondrial function were also found to be reversible, as washing the cells free of epididymal fluid allowed caput spermatozoa to acquire a high MMP and generate ROS while incubating caudal spermatozoa in caput epididymal fluid, suppressed MMP and their ability to generate ROS. Pharmacological suppression of mitochondrial activity was subsequently found to be associated with the inhibition of hyperactivated motility. These results strongly suggested that fluid from the caput epididymis contained a mitochondrial inhibitor and that activation of mitochondrial activity was due to the removal or inactivation of this inhibitor during epididymal transit. This causative factor was not species specific. Incubation of ejaculated human spermatozoa in murine epididymal fluid systematically suppressed their MMP. The characterization of caput epididymal fluid suggested that the putative mitochondrial inhibitor is a heat-resistant protein with a molecular weight larger than 30 kDa. The final results presented in this thesis demonstrate that a full-length Riken protein is a potential candidate for the putative mitochondrial inhibitor that switches off mitochondrial function in caput spermatozoa. Indeed, these results represent the first report suggesting that the epididymal maturation is associated with activation of sperm mitochondria and the first study of a testis specific protein that could be a regulator of mitochondrial function in the male germ line. Further characterization of the mechanisms by which epididymal spermatozoa control mitochondrial function may hold the key to our understanding of sperm maturation. It may also lead us to a clear exposition of the molecular basis of human male infertility, potentially serve as a target for infertility treatment and possibly contribute to the development of novel contraceptive agents.

Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa may be the only opportunity to preserve valuable genetics of males in cases of unforeseen injury or death. Stallion epididymal spermatozoa have been cryopreserved successfully and it has been demonstrated that stallion epididymal spermatozoa are fertile, and pregnancies as well as live foals have been produced. As spermatozoal quality parameters like motility, morphology and viability have a major influence on fertility and pregnancy rates, it is of great interest to describe these and investigate the influence of seminal plasma on these parameters. Fresh and post-thaw parameters (motility, morphology and viability) of stallion epididymal spermatozoa that have been and that have not been exposed to seminal plasma were evaluated, and directly compared to fresh and post-thaw parameters of ejaculated spermatozoa from the same stallions. Six sperm categories of each stallion (n= 4) were evaluated for motility, morphology and viability. These categories were fresh ejaculated spermatozoa (Fr-E), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP+), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP-), frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa (Cr-E), frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma prior to freezing (Cr-SP+) and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Cr-SP-). Results show that seminal plasma stimulates initial motility of fresh epididymal stallion spermatozoa while this difference in progressive motility is no longer present post-thaw; and that progressive motility of fresh or frozen-thawed ejaculated stallion spermatozoa is not always a good indicator for post-thaw progressive motility of epididymal spermatozoa. This study shows that seminal plasma has a positive influence on the incidence of overall sperm defects, midpiece reflexes and distal cytoplasmic droplets in frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa while the occurance of midpiece reflexes is likely to be linked to distal cytoplasmic droplets. Furthermore, we could show that seminal plasma does not have an influence on viability of fresh and frozen-thawed morphologically normal epididymal spermatozoa. In conclusion, we recommend the retrograde flushing technique using seminal plasma as flushing medium to harvest and freeze stallion epididymal spermatozoa. AFRIKAANS : Bevriesing van epididimale spermatozoa mag die enigste geleentheid wees om waardevolle genetika van manlike diere te bewaar in die geval van onverwagse dood of besering. Epididimale spermatozoa van hingste is al suksesvol bevries, is bewys vrugbaar te wees en dragtighede sowel as lewendige vullens is deur die gebruik daarvan gelewer. Aangesien maatstawwe van spermgehalte soos beweeglikheid, morfologie en lewensvatbaarheid ‘n beduidende invloed uitoefen op vrugbaarheid en dragtigheidsyfers, is dit van groot belang om hierdie maatstawwe te omskryf en die invloed van seminale plasma daarop te ondersoek. Vars en ontdooide maatstawwe (beweeglikheid, morfologie en lewensvatbaarheid) van hings epididimale spermatozoa wat of aan seminal plasma blootgestel is of nie, is vergelyk met vars en ontdooide maatstawwe van geejakuleerde spermatozoa. Ses spermkategorieë van elke hings (n=4) is geevalueer vir beweeglikheid, morfologie en lewensvatbaarheid. Die kategorieë was vars geejakuleerde spermatozoa (Fr-E), vars epididimale spermatozoa wat blootgestel is aan seminale plasma (Fr-SP+), vars epididimale spermatozoa sonder blootstelling aan seminale plasma (Fr-SP-), ontdooide geejakuleerde spermatozoa (Cr-E), ontdooide epididimale spermatozoa blootgestel aan seminale plasma voor bevriesing (Cr-SP+) en ontdooide epididimale spermatozoa wat nooit blootgestel is aan seminale plasma nie (Cr-SP-). Uitslae toon dat seminale plasma die aanvanklike beweeglikheid van vars epididimale hings spermatozoa stimuleer, terwyl die verskil in lynbeweeglikheid nie meer teenwoordig is na ontdooiing nie; dat lynbeweeglikheid van vars epididimale spermatozoa of ontdooide geejakuleerde hings spermatozoa nie altyd ‘n goeie aanduiding is vir lynbeweeglikheid na ontdooiing nie. Hierdie studie toon dat seminale plasma ‘n positiewe invloed het op die voorkoms van algehele spermdefekte, midstukreflekse en distale sitoplasmiese druppeltjies in ontdooide hings epididimale spermatozoa terwyl die voorkoms van midstuk reflekse waarskynlik verband hou met distale sitoplasmiese druppletjies. Verder kon ons ook aantoon dat seminale plasma geen invloed het op die lewensvatbaarheid van vars en ontdooide morfologies normale epididimale spermatozoa nie. Ten slotte beveel ons aan dat retrograadse spoeling met seminale plasma as spoelmedium gebruik word wanneer hings epididimale spermatozoa versamel en bevries word. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted

SILVA, Katiane Queiroz da. Efeito da adição de plasma seminal e de sua composição bioquimica sobre os espermatozóides epididimários de caprinos. 2009. 43 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Fortaleza-CE, 2009 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-02T14:51:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_kqsilva.pdf: 313426 bytes, checksum: 9fae2725277c1fe6e2b27d9bb34c0908 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-02T14:51:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_kqsilva.pdf: 313426 bytes, checksum: 9fae2725277c1fe6e2b27d9bb34c0908 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T14:51:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_kqsilva.pdf: 313426 bytes, checksum: 9fae2725277c1fe6e2b27d9bb34c0908 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / The objective of this study was to verify the effect of the addition and of the composition of the seminal plasma (SP) on the characteristics of the epididymal spermatozoa (ES) of goat. Eight goat males were used for obtaining of the biological material so that, the SP it was obtained in previous collections and stored at -18 oC until that proceeded to the addition to ES and the biochemical analyses. ES were obtained of the tail of the epididymal by the method of surgical castration. Four sample of 100 μL were removed from the "pool" of ES, and in two of them 120 μL were added of SP. Two sample, one with and other without SP, were diluted in a concentration of 200 x 106 sptz /mL, in the extender citrate-yolk (CY) and in the extender tris-yolk (TY). The samples were evaluated the vigor, motility and motility degradation rate (TDM) in fresh state and for the test of slow thermoresistence, after two and 24 hours of conservation. For the determination of fructose levels and total proteins were used specific kits of In Vitro Diagnóstico S/A®. The determination of activity of the phospholipase A2 was realized by the technique of the pH-stat. For the analysis of the data was used the statistical program SAS@. The results demonstrated that the addition of SP to ES reduced seminal parameters significantly, except in the extender TY when the animals were to grouped in function of concentration of total proteins of SP. Besides, the TY, when used to conserve the ES added of SP with low fructose concentration (540 mg/dL) preserved the seminal characteristics better. It follows that the initial concentration of fructose in the seminal plasma influenced the quality of conservation of the epididymal spermatozoa; as for the total proteins just affected the conservation in the citrate-yolk and the intensity of activity of the phospholipase A2 did not interfere in the conservation at 5 ºC of the epididymal spermatozoa of goat / O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da adição e da composição do plasma seminal (PS) sobre as características dos espermatozóides epididimários (EEP) de caprinos. Utilizaram-se oito machos caprinos para obtenção do PS, que foi obtido em coletas prévias e armazenado a -18o C até que se procedessem a sua adição aos EEP e as análises bioquímicas. Os EEP foram obtidos da cauda do epidídimo pelo método de castração cirúrgica. Do “pool” de EEP foram retiradas quatro alíquotas de 100 μL, sendo que em duas delas foram adicionados 120 μL de PS e nas outras duas não. Duas alíquotas, uma com e outra sem PS, foram diluídas a uma concentração de 200 x 106 sptz/ mL, no diluidor citrato-gema (CG) e no diluidor tris-gema (TG). As amostras foram avaliadas quanto ao vigor, à motilidade e à taxa de degradação da motilidade (TDM) no seu estado fresco e pelo teste de termorresistência lento, após duas e 24 horas de conservação. Para a determinação dos níveis de frutose e de proteínas totais foram utilizados os kits específicos da In Vitro Diagnóstico S/A®. A determinação da atividade da fosfolipase A2 foi realizada pela técnica do pH-stat. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizado o programa estatístico SAS@. Os resultados demonstraram que a adição de PS aos EEP diminuiu significativamente os parâmetros seminais avaliados, exceto no diluidor TG quando os animais foram agrupados em função da concentração de proteínas totais do PS. Além disso, o TG, quando utilizado para conservar os EEP adicionados de PS de baixa concentração de frutose (540 mg/dL) preservou melhor as características seminais avaliadas. Concluiu-se que a concentração inicial de frutose no PS influenciou positivamente a qualidade de conservação dos espermatozóides epididimários; já a de proteínas totais afetou apenas a conservação no CG e a intensidade de atividade da fosfolipase A2 não interferiu na conservação a 5 ºC dos espermatozóides epididimários de caprinos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da adiÃÃo e da composiÃÃo do plasma seminal (PS) sobre as caracterÃsticas dos espermatozÃides epididimÃrios (EEP) de caprinos. Utilizaram-se oito machos caprinos para obtenÃÃo do PS, que foi obtido em coletas prÃvias e armazenado a -18o C atà que se procedessem a sua adiÃÃo aos EEP e as anÃlises bioquÃmicas. Os EEP foram obtidos da cauda do epidÃdimo pelo mÃtodo de castraÃÃo cirÃrgica. Do âpoolâ de EEP foram retiradas quatro alÃquotas de 100 μL, sendo que em duas delas foram adicionados 120 μL de PS e nas outras duas nÃo. Duas alÃquotas, uma com e outra sem PS, foram diluÃdas a uma concentraÃÃo de 200 x 106 sptz/ mL, no diluidor citrato-gema (CG) e no diluidor tris-gema (TG). As amostras foram avaliadas quanto ao vigor, à motilidade e à taxa de degradaÃÃo da motilidade (TDM) no seu estado fresco e pelo teste de termorresistÃncia lento, apÃs duas e 24 horas de conservaÃÃo. Para a determinaÃÃo dos nÃveis de frutose e de proteÃnas totais foram utilizados os kits especÃficos da In Vitro DiagnÃstico S/AÂ. A determinaÃÃo da atividade da fosfolipase A2 foi realizada pela tÃcnica do pH-stat. Para a anÃlise dos dados foi utilizado o programa estatÃstico SAS@. Os resultados demonstraram que a adiÃÃo de PS aos EEP diminuiu significativamente os parÃmetros seminais avaliados, exceto no diluidor TG quando os animais foram agrupados em funÃÃo da concentraÃÃo de proteÃnas totais do PS. AlÃm disso, o TG, quando utilizado para conservar os EEP adicionados de PS de baixa concentraÃÃo de frutose (540 mg/dL) preservou melhor as caracterÃsticas seminais avaliadas. Concluiu-se que a concentraÃÃo inicial de frutose no PS influenciou positivamente a qualidade de conservaÃÃo dos espermatozÃides epididimÃrios; jà a de proteÃnas totais afetou apenas a conservaÃÃo no CG e a intensidade de atividade da fosfolipase A2 nÃo interferiu na conservaÃÃo a 5 ÂC dos espermatozÃides epididimÃrios de caprinos / The objective of this study was to verify the effect of the addition and of the composition of the seminal plasma (SP) on the characteristics of the epididymal spermatozoa (ES) of goat. Eight goat males were used for obtaining of the biological material so that, the SP it was obtained in previous collections and stored at -18 oC until that proceeded to the addition to ES and the biochemical analyses. ES were obtained of the tail of the epididymal by the method of surgical castration. Four sample of 100 μL were removed from the "pool" of ES, and in two of them 120 μL were added of SP. Two sample, one with and other without SP, were diluted in a concentration of 200 x 106 sptz /mL, in the extender citrate-yolk (CY) and in the extender tris-yolk (TY). The samples were evaluated the vigor, motility and motility degradation rate (TDM) in fresh state and for the test of slow thermoresistence, after two and 24 hours of conservation. For the determination of fructose levels and total proteins were used specific kits of In Vitro DiagnÃstico S/AÂ. The determination of activity of the phospholipase A2 was realized by the technique of the pH-stat. For the analysis of the data was used the statistical program SAS@. The results demonstrated that the addition of SP to ES reduced seminal parameters significantly, except in the extender TY when the animals were to grouped in function of concentration of total proteins of SP. Besides, the TY, when used to conserve the ES added of SP with low fructose concentration (540 mg/dL) preserved the seminal characteristics better. It follows that the initial concentration of fructose in the seminal plasma influenced the quality of conservation of the epididymal spermatozoa; as for the total proteins just affected the conservation in the citrate-yolk and the intensity of activity of the phospholipase A2 did not interfere in the conservation at 5 ÂC of the epididymal spermatozoa of goat

No description available.

Cystatin Related Epididymal Spermatogenic protein (CRES) is expressed in both the testis and epididymis and found associated with spermatozoa. It appears as non-glycosylated (14 and 12 kDa) and glycosylated isoforms (19 and 17 kDa). The role of CRES is enigmatic and dependent on localization of its isoforms, which is the objective of this study. The initial approach was to investigate testicular and epididymal origins of these isoforms by immunohistochemistry and immunogold cytochemistry. To further pinpoint CRES localization we then selectively extracted and fractionated epididymal spermatozoa in order to find by immunoblotting which sperm fractions contained CRES isoforms. Immunohistochemical analysis of mouse spermatogenesis showed that CRES was expressed in the tail cytoplasm of elongating spermatids from step 9-16, with a pattern reminiscent of outer dense fibre (ODF) proteins. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry revealed that the immunogold label was concentrated over growing ODFs and mitochondrial sheath in the testes which persisted in spermatozoa through the epididymis. Sequential extractions of isolated sperm tails with Triton X-100-dithiothreitol (DTT) to remove the mitochondrial sheath, whose extract contained an unrelated 66 kDa immunoreactive band, followed by either sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-DTT or urea-DTT to solubilise accessory fibres of the tail revealed a 14 kDa immunoreactive band associated with the ODF. In addition, Western blots revealed glycosylated and non-glycosylated CRES isoforms in nonyl phenoxylpolyethoxylethanol (NP40) extracts of the caput, but not cauda, sperm. Immunohistochemical analysis of the caput and cauda epithelium showed that CRES is secreted by the Golgi apparatus of the ii initial segment, fills the proximal caput lumen, and disappears by mid caput. Western blots of caput and cauda tissue and luminal fluid revealed 14 and 19 kDa immunoreactive bands in caput tissues and luminal fluid, but not in the cauda. This study concludes that there are two origins of CRES, one arising in the testis and the other in the epididymis. Testicular CRES is ionically and covalently associated with the ODF while epididymal CRES is detergent soluble and is most likely associated temporarily with the surface of caput epididymal sperm. / Thesis (Master, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-03 14:22:01.913

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a incidência, a estrutura dos apêndices testiculares (AT) em pacientes com criptorquia, comparando a sua incidência com as anomalias epididimárias e a patência do processo vaginal. Estudamos 55 pacientes (72 testículos) portadores de criptorquia e 8 testículos como controle (6 hidroceles e 2 torções). Analisamos as relações entre o testículo e o epidídimo, a patência do processo vaginal e a incidência e histologia dos ATs. Fibras musculares lisas (SMC), tecido conectivo (CT) e fibras do sistema elástico (ESF) foram estudados por métodos imuno-histoquímicos. Dos 72 testículos com criptorquia 20 (27.77%) apresentavam anomalias epididimárias, 41(56.9%) tinham processo vaginal patente e 44 (61.1%) tinham apêndices testiculares. Dos 44 testículos portadores de criptorquia com apêndices, 30 (68.18%) apresentavam o processo vaginal patente e 11 (25%) apresentavam anomalias epididimárias. O epitélio não apresentou alteração aparente nos apêndices de pacientes com criptorquia e no grupo controle. Análise estereológica documentou a prevalência de ESF (média de 1.48%); prevalência de vasos (média de 10,11%) e uma diminuição (p=0.14) da SMC nos AT de pacientes com criptorquia (média = 4.93%). O colágeno III prevaleceu nos AT de pacientes com criptorquia. Não houve alteração na incidência de anomalias anatômicas associadas aos testículos portadores de AT. Os apêndices testiculares apresentaram uma alteração estrutural significativa nos pacientes com criptorquia, o que indica que os AT apresentam uma remodelação estrutural significativa nos pacientes com criptorquia. / This work reports the incidence and structure of testicular appendices (TAs) in patients with cryptorchidism, comparing their incidence with epididymal anomalies and patency of the vaginal process. We studied 55 patients (72 testes) with cryptorchidism and 8 testes as controls (6 with hydroceles and 2 with torsion). We analyzed the relations among the testis, epididymis and patency of the vaginal process and prevalence and histology of the TAs. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), connective tissue (CT) and elastic system fibers (ESFs) were studied by histochemical and immunolabeling methods. Of the 72 testes with cryptorchidism, 20 (27.77%) presented epididymal anomalies, 41 (56.9%) had patent vaginal processes and 44 (61.1%) had TAs. Of the 44 testes with cryptorchidism and appendices, 30 (68.18%) presented patent vaginal processes and 11 (25%) presented epididymal anomalies. There was no apparent alteration of the epithelium in the appendices of patients with cryptorchidism and in the control group. Stereological analysis documented the prevalence of ESFs (mean of 1.48%), prevalence of veins (mean of 10.11%) and decrease (p=0.14) of SMCs in the TAs of patients with cryptorchidism (mean = 4.93%). Collagen III prevailed in the TAs of patients with cryptorchidism. There was no alteration in the incidence of anatomical anomalies associated with the testes with TAs. The testicular appendices presented significant structural alteration in the patients with cryptorchidism, indicating that TAs present a significant structural remodeling in patients with cryptorchidism.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of different conditions including male infertility. OS is caused by high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that exceed the antioxidant ability of a system. The sperm membrane is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and is prone to damage by ROS. Sperm damage decreases motility, concentration and viability. Testicular oxidative stress impairs Leydig cell function and leads to decreased hormonal control as the cells secrete testosterone. Studies have shown the role of antioxidants in the fight against OS. Recently more studies have been focused on the use of natural antioxidants derived from fruits, vegetables, nuts and oils for this purpose. The effects of Buriti oil supplementation have been investigated in the diet and it had been shown that it is rich in carotenoids and vitamin E. This study explored the antioxidant effects of Buriti oil on testicular tissue, epidymal tissue and hormonal function in male Wistar rats. Experiments were conducted for 6 weeks and male adult Wistar rats (10 weeks) were divided into two groups (n=30) for each group. The control group received standard rat chow and water while the experimental group received Buriti oil, rat chow and water daily. Both groups were exposed to natural physiological OS. The plasma, testicular and epididymal tissue samples of both groups were analysed for various parameters. Testicular weight and epididymal weight of rats fed with Buriti oil were significantly increased compared to the control group. Testicular and epididymal MDA levels were decreased in rats fed with Buriti oil compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activities were increased in both epididymal and testicular tissue of the Buriti oil fed group than the control group. Data were expressed in mean ± SEM. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Buriti oil supplementation could prevent OS damage in the male reproductive system.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a incidência, a estrutura dos apêndices testiculares (AT) em pacientes com criptorquia, comparando a sua incidência com as anomalias epididimárias e a patência do processo vaginal. Estudamos 55 pacientes (72 testículos) portadores de criptorquia e 8 testículos como controle (6 hidroceles e 2 torções). Analisamos as relações entre o testículo e o epidídimo, a patência do processo vaginal e a incidência e histologia dos ATs. Fibras musculares lisas (SMC), tecido conectivo (CT) e fibras do sistema elástico (ESF) foram estudados por métodos imuno-histoquímicos. Dos 72 testículos com criptorquia 20 (27.77%) apresentavam anomalias epididimárias, 41(56.9%) tinham processo vaginal patente e 44 (61.1%) tinham apêndices testiculares. Dos 44 testículos portadores de criptorquia com apêndices, 30 (68.18%) apresentavam o processo vaginal patente e 11 (25%) apresentavam anomalias epididimárias. O epitélio não apresentou alteração aparente nos apêndices de pacientes com criptorquia e no grupo controle. Análise estereológica documentou a prevalência de ESF (média de 1.48%); prevalência de vasos (média de 10,11%) e uma diminuição (p=0.14) da SMC nos AT de pacientes com criptorquia (média = 4.93%). O colágeno III prevaleceu nos AT de pacientes com criptorquia. Não houve alteração na incidência de anomalias anatômicas associadas aos testículos portadores de AT. Os apêndices testiculares apresentaram uma alteração estrutural significativa nos pacientes com criptorquia, o que indica que os AT apresentam uma remodelação estrutural significativa nos pacientes com criptorquia. / This work reports the incidence and structure of testicular appendices (TAs) in patients with cryptorchidism, comparing their incidence with epididymal anomalies and patency of the vaginal process. We studied 55 patients (72 testes) with cryptorchidism and 8 testes as controls (6 with hydroceles and 2 with torsion). We analyzed the relations among the testis, epididymis and patency of the vaginal process and prevalence and histology of the TAs. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), connective tissue (CT) and elastic system fibers (ESFs) were studied by histochemical and immunolabeling methods. Of the 72 testes with cryptorchidism, 20 (27.77%) presented epididymal anomalies, 41 (56.9%) had patent vaginal processes and 44 (61.1%) had TAs. Of the 44 testes with cryptorchidism and appendices, 30 (68.18%) presented patent vaginal processes and 11 (25%) presented epididymal anomalies. There was no apparent alteration of the epithelium in the appendices of patients with cryptorchidism and in the control group. Stereological analysis documented the prevalence of ESFs (mean of 1.48%), prevalence of veins (mean of 10.11%) and decrease (p=0.14) of SMCs in the TAs of patients with cryptorchidism (mean = 4.93%). Collagen III prevailed in the TAs of patients with cryptorchidism. There was no alteration in the incidence of anatomical anomalies associated with the testes with TAs. The testicular appendices presented significant structural alteration in the patients with cryptorchidism, indicating that TAs present a significant structural remodeling in patients with cryptorchidism.

No description available.