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Biomedical subjects

E M Ritzen

Publications and source records attributed to E M Ritzen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in germ cell adenylate cyclase and protein carboxyl methylase activities in rat testicular tissue during bilateral cryptorchidism and after orchidopexy.

Soluble Mn2+-dependent adenylate cyclase and protein carboxyl methylase are two enzymes that are primarily localized in haploid germ cels of rat testicular tissue, and both enzymes exhibit an increase in activity in association with sexual maturation. Experimental cryptorchidism (surgery at 17 days of age) in immature rats prevented the age-dependent increase in the activity of these two testicular enzymes. After orchidopexy at 34 days of age the activities of these two enzymes increased to normal control values in association with testicular growth. These observations show that biochemical markers such as soluble Mn2+-dependent adenylate cyclase and protein carboxyl methylase can be used to follow germ cell differentiation.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Stage-specific inhibition of interstitial cell testosterone secretion by rat seminiferous tubules in vitro.

The stage-specific influence of the secretions from rat seminiferous tubules on the LH-stimulated testosterone production by rat Leydig cells in vitro was studied. The spent media from incubated seminiferous tubules (SMST) from stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle caused about 50% inhibition of the LH-dependent testosterone production by a crude preparation of rat interstitial cells. The SMST from other stages had no effect on testosterone production. Mixed tubules of unidentified stages gave an intermediate response. When SMST from ten different stages of the seminiferous wave were compared, the most pronounced inhibitory activity was found in stages VI and VIII-XI, while SMST from stages I, VII and XIII-XIV had no inhibitory effects on interstitial cell testosterone production. No stimulation was found in this system. Prolonged incubation of the interstitial cells with SMST from stages VIII-XI resulted in loss of inhibitory activity after 12 h of incubation. Maximum inhibitory activity was noted after 3 h of incubation. The inhibitory activity of the SMST from stages VIII-XI was retained after prolonged dialysis, and was unchanged after heating the medium at 60 degrees C for 1 h. The activity did not seem to be due to the presence of proteolytic enzymes, since it was not influenced by addition of protease inhibitors. SMST from stages VIII-XI had no effect on the metabolism of [3H]testosterone added to the interstitial cell preparations. No inhibitory effect was observed when Leydig cells were incubated with dibutyryl cAMP instead of LH, suggesting an early influence on the LH-receptor-adenylate cyclase chain of events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging

Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen dysplasia. Morphological and biochemical findings in cartilage growth zones.

The results of light and electron microscopic examination and of biochemical proteoglycan studies of costochondral and iliac crest biopsies from a recently diagnosed case of Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen dysplasia are reported. At light microscopy of resting cartilage large lacunae containing clusters of five or more chondrocytes were seen in some areas. In the hyaline cartilage there were scattered fibrous foci but no mineralized areas. Electron microscopy revealed chondrocytes containing widened cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles coated with a smooth single-layered membrane. The content of the cisternae and of the vesicles was amorphous. Throughout the cartilage a considerable proportion of the chondrocytes displayed more or less pronounced necrobiotic changes. The biochemical analysis showed an increased amount of glucosaminoglycans in the cartilage and indicated that the ability of proteoglycan monomers to reaggregate to hyaluronic acid chains was decreased. Our findings support the suggestion that Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen dysplasia is due to a disturbance in proteoglycan metabolism.

Cartilage

Stage-dependent secretion of ABP by rat seminiferous tubules.

The secretion rate of the Sertoli-cell-specific androgen-binding protein (ABP), has been studied in isolated rate seminiferous tubules, where the stages of the spermatogenic cycle have been identified by a transillumination method. The secretion of ABP was highest in stages VII-XII, as determined by steady-state polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis as well as by radioimmunoassay. More specifically, when the sensitive RIA technique permitted the assay of ABP secretion from a total amount of 10-30 mm of isolated tubules, it was found that maximal ABP secretion occurred at stages VIII-XI and minimal at stages IV-V. The present results show that the secretory activity of the Sertoli cells (ABP) is influenced by the type of germ cell at each cell association. It is postulated that the variation is Sertoli-cell secretory activity is of importance for the normal maintenance of spermatogenesis.

Androgen-Binding Protein

Hormones and hormonal target cells in the testis.

Studies over the last few years have greatly increased our knowledge about target cells for sex hormones and gonadotropins in the testis. A diagram illustrating our present state of knowledge is given in Fig. 1. LH is the principle stimulus of testosterone secretion by the Leydig cells. Direct effects of estrogens and androgens on these cells might modulate the response to LH. Androgens are apparently influencing the differentiation and the contractility of peritubular cells. FSH is the principle stimulus for Sertoli cell secretory function before puberty, although androgens are acting synergistically with FSH. After puberty, androgens alone are capable of maintaining on optimal secretory function of the Sertoli cells. In addition to normal secretory activity of the Sertoli cells, direct stimulation of the germ cells by androgens is needed in order maintain spermatogenesis.

Age Factors

Androgen-binding proteins in rat epididymis: properties of a cytoplasmic receptor for androgen similar to the androgen receptor in ventral prostate and different from androgen-binding protein (ABP).

The cytoplasmic recptor (CR) in rat epididymal 105,000 g supernatant was separated from the androgen-binding protein (ABP) by gel electrophoresis following labeling with [1,2,6,7-3H]-testosterone in vivo. ABP disappeared from epididymal supernatants after castration of hypophysectomy, while CR remained unchanged. CR was evenly distributed between caput and cauda, while much more ABP was present in caput. Properties of CR in epididymis and prostate were similar and distinctly different from ABP. Binding to CR was destroyed by charcoal treatment (1 mg/mg protein) of supernatant for 0 degrees C for 6 h, heating at 50 degrees C for 30 min, or exposure to the sulfhydryl blocking reagent, p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate (1mM) at 25 degrees C for 30 min, while binding to ABP was unaffected. The isoelectric pH of CR (5.8) was higher than that of ABP (4.6). Dissociation of radioactive 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from CR and nuclear receptors was extremely slow (half-time at 0 degrees C is greater than 2 days), while dissociation from ABP was rapid (half-time at 0 degrees C is similar to 6 min). Cyproterone acetate (250 mg/100 g body weight) inhibited binding to CR both in epididymis and ventral prostate but did not affect binding to ABP. Nuclear uptake was inhibited by cyproterone to the same extent as binding to CR, indicating that nuclear uptake and binding are dependent on CR and independent of ABP. The time-course of uptake and binding in epididymal supernatant and nuclear fractions was essentially the same 1 day after bilateral castration when both CR and ABP were present or 8 days after castration when CR alone was present. It is concluded that the cytoplasmic receptor for androgen in rat epididymis has properties very similar to the androgen receptor in ventral prostate but different from ABP.

Androstenedione

FSH stimulation of testicular androgen binding protein (ABP): comparison of ABP response and ovarian augmentation.

Production of testicular androgen binding protein (ABP), ceases following hypophysectomy and can be stimulated by FSH. Within 24 h after the administration of FSH, ABP can be measured in caput epididymis supernatant and by 4 days after FSH treatment, the concentration of ABP reaches a plateau. In a 3-day assay, ABP production in immature hypophysectomized rats was stimulated by 31 mug NIH-FSH-P1 per day (0.08 U NIH-FSH-P1 per 3 days) which is comparable to the sensitivity of the ovarian weight augmentation test in hypophysectomized rats. The relative ovarian weight augmenting and ABP stimulating activities of various FSH preparations were in agreement, suggesting that the biological stimulus of the ABP response is, in fact, FSH. The ABP response to FSH could become a useful testicular bioassay for FSH. Such an assay would be more practicle if ABP could be measured by a radioimmunoassay.

Animals