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Changes in Sertoli Cell Structure and Function
Published in Tom O. Abney, Brooks A. Keel, The Cryptorchid Testis, 2020
David M. de Kretser, Gail P. Risbridger
Subsequently increased vacuolization of Sertoli cells was noted which consisted of two types; the first type resulted from the dilatation of cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum whereas the second specifically involves a dilation of the intercellular space at the sites of the inter-Sertoli cell junctions (see Figure 1). Despite these changes in the inter-Sertoli cell junctional complexes, the function of the blood-testis barrier appeared to be intact.17 It seems likely that the increased lipid in Sertoli cells is not the result of phagocytosis of degenerating germ cells since, when tests without germ cells are made cryptorchid, a similar lipid accumulation occurs.18 Analysis of the lipid showed an increase in cholesterol and cholesterol esters.19
Extrahepatic Synthesis of Acute Phase Proteins
Published in Andrzej Mackiewicz, Irving Kushner, Heinz Baumann, Acute Phase Proteins, 2020
Gerhard Schreiber, Angela R. Aldred
Messenger RNA for proteins is only found within cells. Messenger RNAs can be detected and measured in a very sensitive and specific way by hybridization to cDNA probes. In recent years, a large number of cDNAs for plasma proteins have become available (for reviews, see References 21 and 43). Using such hybridization to cDNAs, extrahepatic synthesis could be unambiguously demonstrated for various plasma proteins in various locations. In most cases, the cells or tissues synthesizing plasma proteins were found to be associated with special extracellular compartments, such as the ventricles and subarachnoidal space of the brain (choroid plexus), male reproductive tract (Sertoli cells), or fetus (yolk sac, placenta). The blood-brain or blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, blood-testis barrier, and fetal membranes separate these compartments from the main extracellular compartment of the body. The paracompartmental location of these cells, synthesizing plasma proteins, and the unidirectional secretion of the synthesized proteins into the associated extracellular compartments provide for effective participation of these cells in the control of protein homeostasis in the respective compartments. The synthesis and secretion of transthyretin by the choroid plexus seems to be of particular importance for extracellular homeostasis in the brain, and is discussed in greater detail below.
The Effects of Pharmaceuticals, Environmental, and Occupational Agents on Sperm Motility
Published in Claude Gagnon, Controls of Sperm Motility, 2020
In the standard semen evaluation, assessment is made of semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, and sperm motility. Measurements of semen volume and pH reflect the functional status of the accessory glands, i. e., epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicles.7 The accessory gland can serve as a route of entry of various biological hazards into the body and, more specifically, into the male reproductive system. Although the passage of different chemicals from the blood to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules is prevented by the blood-testis barrier, sperm cells can nevertheless be exposed to such hazards either during the maturation process, which takes place in the epididymis, or upon ejaculation, when the cells come in contact with the secretions of the accessory glands (seminal plasma).
SARS-CoV-2 effects on male reproduction: should men be worried??
Published in Human Fertility, 2023
Marziye Farsimadan, Mohammad Motamedifar
The male reproductive system has an immunosuppressive environment. The blood-testis barrier can form an immune barrier in the testis. The blood-testis barrier is a structure located between the interstitial capillary lumen and the seminiferous tubule lumen (Mruk & Cheng, 2015). It prevents the antigenicity of sperm and deters the production of anti-sperm antibodies to avoid the occurrence of autoimmune reactions. It also limits the entry of harmful substances to prevent any damage and ensure a normal microenvironment for spermatogenesis (Cheng & Mruk, 2012). The testicular system is also an ideal antiviral system. The Leydig cells and testicular macrophages can produce a variety of antiviral proteases after contact with viruses that would prevent viruses and tumours and improve immune regulatory function (Li et al., 2012). Having said that, the blood-testicular barrier might not establish a perfect barrier to viruses under systemic or local inflammation. Several studies have proven that a wide range of viral families can pass the blood-testis barrier and enter the male reproductive system and elicit an immune response within the testicle, which would lead to systemic or local inflammation of the testis (Hui et al., 2020; Mansuy et al., 2016).
Evaluation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate loaded silver nanoparticle on testicular morphology in experimental type-2 diabetic rats
Published in Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 2022
Samuel Oluwaseun Olojede, Sodiq Kolawole Lawal, Ayobami Dare, Edwin C. Stephen Naidu, Carmen Olivia Rennie, Onyemaechi Okpara Azu
The predisposing factors to the adverse effects observed in the management of HIV were attributed to viral latent reservoir sites and biological barriers such as the blood-testis barrier. Furthermore, the cluster of differentiation 4 T cells (CD4) and macrophages of the lymphocyte serves as latent reservoir sites for HIV and host for viral replications and production of viral mutant genes, thereby making completed eradication of this virus difficult [18,19]. Asides from blood, anatomical sanctuary sites [20], especially testis, harbour HIV and represent another obstacle to the complete eradication of this HIV infection [21]. Testis exhibits the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a physiological barrier that separates the seminiferous tubule and vascular compartments and regulates the uptake of substances, drugs, and molecules [22].
High-fructose in drinking water initiates activation of inflammatory cytokines and testicular degeneration in rat
Published in Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 2019
Onur Gökhan Yildirim, Esra Sumlu, Esra Aslan, Halit Buğra Koca, Mehmet Bilgehan Pektas, Gökhan Sadi, Fatma Akar
The blood–testis barrier is one of the tightest epithelial barriers found in the mammalian body and protects the seminiferous tubules against to harmful products in the vascular surroundings thereby showing an important function in maintenance of spermatogenesis. The tight junctions between epithelial cells consist of transmembrane proteins such as occludin, claudins, and cadherins and effectively restrain the entry of exogenous destructive factors into testis for maintenance of testicular homeostasis (Cheng and Mruk 2012). Very little data exist on tight junction proteins in experimental diabetes, a previous related study reported that distribution of occludin was altered accompanied by abnormal histology of seminiferous epithelium in testis of streptozotocin-diabetic rats (Ricci et al. 2009). Obesity induced by high-fat diet was shown to disrupt testicular integrity with a decline in the tight junction-related proteins, occluding, and zonula occludens-1 in testis of mice (Fan et al. 2015). In this study, the integrity of the blood–testis barrier was examined by immunostaining of claudin-1 and pan-cadherin. Staining of these two integral membrane proteins appears unchanged following high-fructose treatment, which is probable due to the changed distribution of the proteins in cells or the compensatory defense mechanism against harmful challenge.