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J Regadera

Publications and source records attributed to J Regadera.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Immunohistochemistry of the human ductus epididymis.

Our objective was to characterize epithelial cells, lamina propria, and sites of estrogen coupling in the caput, corpus, and cauda regions of the human epididymis using antibodies to cytokeratin types; epithelial membrane antigen; laminin; type IV collagen; vimentin; desmin-, and estradiol-receptor-related protein; and immuno-histochemical techniques. Principal cells immunostain by both AE1/AE3 antibodies (keratins 1-8, 10, 13-15, and 19) and anti-pan-keratin antibodies (keratin 5, 6, and 8). Immunoreactions to both anti-keratin antibodies increase from the caput to the cauda epididymis. The principal cells only immunostained by anti-keratin 19 antibodies in the cauda and showed no reaction to keratins 10 and 11. Basal cells and apical cells immunoreact to anti-AE1/AE3, antipankeratin, and antikeratin 19 antibodies, but not to antikeratin 10 and 11 antibodies, in all three epididymal regions. The principal cells immunoreact with epithelial membrane antigen antibodies in the stereocilia and subjacent cytoplasm. This immunostaining decreased from the caput to the cauda. Antivimentin antibodies stained the apical cytoplasm of principal cells and limited areas of both principal cells and basal cells. This immunoreaction decreased from the caput to cauda. Apical cells immunostained in the three regions. Immunoreaction to ER-D5 was moderate in the principal cells, basal cells, apical cells, and muscular coat cells in the cauda. The apical cells immunostained in the three regions. Antilaminin antibodies stained the epithelial basement membrane in the three regions. Type IV collagen was detected in the basement membrane as well as around the muscular coat cells in the three regions. Immunoreaction to desmin was intense in the muscular coat cells in the three regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Enzymohistochemical and immunohistochemical study of the human efferent ducts.

An enzymohistochemical and immunohistochemical study of the efferent ducts was performed in normal adult men. The epithelium consists of two types of columnar cells: principal cells (PCs) and ciliated cells (CCs), and is surrounded by a lamina propria (LP) with cells arranged circularly (LPCs). Enzymohistochemical study revealed more intense activity of succinic dehydrogenase, NADP, and ATPase in the CCs than in the PCs. The LPCs also showed an intense reaction for NADP and ATPase. Acid phosphatase activity was only intense in the apical cytoplasm of PCs. Immunohistochemical study revealed that antibodies to oestradiol receptor-related protein (ER-D5) immunostained the PCs and CCs intensely and the LPCs weakly. AE1/AE3 antibodies (which stain keratins nos. 1-8 and 14, 15 and 19) immunostained the PCs intensely, but was negative in both CCs and LPCs. Antibodies to keratin Ks.4.62 (which stain keratin no. 19) immunostained PCs and CCs but not LPCs. Epithelial membrane antigen antibodies (EMA) immunostained the adluminal surface and apical cytoplasm of PCs. Anti-vimentin antibodies immunostained the cytoplasm of PCs and CCs weakly as well as isolated cells in the LP. Antibodies to desmin immunostained most LPCs. Antibodies to collagen IV immunostained the basal lamina and many extracellular spaces in the LP, mainly around the LPCs. The differences between the enzymohistochemical and immunohistochemical patterns of the efferent ducts and those of the epididymis may help to explain functional differences along the epididymis.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical and semiquantitative study of the apical mitochondria-rich cells of the human prepubertal and adult epididymis.

An immunohistochemical and semiquantitative study of the apical mitochondria-rich cells (AMRC) in the caput, corpus and cauda of the human epididymis from the fetal period to adulthood was performed on autopsy specimens from normal males without testicular or associated pathology. The immunohistochemical pattern of AMRC differed from that of the principal cells (PC). AMRC showed a more intense immunoreaction to several keratin types (AE1 and AE3 keratin complexes, and keratins 18 and 19) and to oestradiol-related protein receptors than did PC. In addition, immunostaining with antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen was intense in PC and weak in AMRC. Two immunohistochemical types of basal cells were observed: one was similar to the AMRC and the other to PC. PC and AMRC were already present in fetuses of 24-27 wk gestation. Basal cells were only occasionally observed at this age, but became much more numerous in the 28-33 wk fetuses. No changes in the immunohistochemical patterns of any of these cell types were found during infancy and adulthood. The numbers of PC per unit length of basement membrane were very similar in the 3 epididymal regions and at all ages studied. In all age groups, the number of AMRC decreased from caput to cauda epididymis. In the caput and corpus, the number of AMRC rose during the fetal period and the first 6 months after birth and thereafter decreased progressively during infancy and adulthood.

Adult↗

Macro-orchidism: light and electron microscopic study of four cases.

A hormonal and quantitative light microscopy study of one man with macro-orchidism associated with mental retardation and fragile X chromosome (case no. 1) and three men with idiopathic macro-orchidism (cases no. 2 to 4) is reported. Hormonal study revealed slightly increased follicle-stimulating hormone serum levels in cases no. 1 to 3. The testes from cases no. 1 (orchidoepididymoectomy specimen) and 2 (testicular biopsy) presented interstitial edema and three different tubular patterns that were arranged in a mosaic-like manner. Type I tubules had an increased diameter (less than 220 microns), dilated lumen, and thin seminiferous epithelium usually consisting of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and sometimes a few spermatids. Type II tubules had a normal diameter (180 to 220 microns) and germ cell development varied between complete spermatogenesis and Sertoli-cell-only tubules. Type III tubules had decreased diameter (less than 180 microns), atrophic seminiferous epithelium, and thickened tunica propria. The appearance of the nuclei of the Sertoli cells in the three types of tubules could be either mature or immature. Some of the mature Sertoli cells presented a granular cytoplasm. A few of these granular cells grouped together, forming nests that protruded into the tubular lumen. The testicular biopsies from cases no. 3 and 4 only presented type II tubules that contained both mature and immature Sertoli cells. Quantitative study revealed that the large testicular size was principally due to an increased tubular length in all four cases. Although the seminiferous tubule lesions and interstitial edema suggest an obstructive process, the testicular excretory ducts (studied in case no. 1) appeared normal or only slightly dilated. It is possible that the seminiferous tubule lesions (dilated lumen and germ cell depletion) might be secondary to the Sertoli cell lesions (granular cytoplasm and nuclear immature-like pattern.

Adolescent↗

Apical mitochondria-rich cells in the human epididymis: an ultrastructural, enzymohistochemical, and immunohistochemical study.

An ultrastructural, enzymohistochemical, and immunohistochemical study of the ductus epididymis in normal men was undertaken to investigate the characteristics of the apical mitochondria-rich cells (AMRCs). These cells, which differ morphologically from the principal cells (PCs), appear in isolation in the caput epididymidis (5.8 +/- 1.7 cells per cross-sectional duct) and only occasionally in the corpus epididymidis. The morphologic appearance of AMRCs varies from slender cells extending from the basement membrane to the lumen to apical cells without apparent contact with the basement membrane. The former display a round pale nucleus located in the middle of the epithelium; the apical cells have a dark nucleus, which, surrounded by a narrow cytoplasmic band, protrudes into the lumen. The cytoplasm of AMRCs is electron-dense and contains numerous mitochondria surrounded by rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. In the apical portion, there are lysosomes, vesicles with an electron-dense granule, and vacuoles showing a variable size and content. The stereocilia are shorter and less numerous than those of the PCs. The AMRCs are similar to the PCs in the intensely positive reaction for the enzymatic activity acid phosphatase, as well as in the lack of reaction for alkaline phosphatase and phosphorylase activities. AMRCs differ from PCs in: (1) a more intense reaction to the enzymatic activities ATPase, NADP, and succinic dehydrogenease, (2) a more intense immunostaining by AE1/AE3 and Ks4.62 anti-cytokeratin antibodies, and anti-estradiol receptor protein (D5) antibodies, and (3) a lower staining affinity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) antibodies. No positive immunostaining for the anti-cytokeratin Ks8.6 antibodies was observed in either AMRCs or PCs.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Immunohistochemical and quantitative study of interstitial and intratubular Leydig cells in normal men, cryptorchidism, and Klinefelter's syndrome.

Testicular specimens from normal men and men with cryptorchidism (CR) or Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) were taken, processed for light microscopy, and stained with the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method for immunohistochemical detection of testosterone. The Leydig cells were classified by their morphology (normal, multivacuolated, and pleomorphic Leydig cells) and by their staining affinity for anti-testosterone antibodies (T-, T+, and T++ cells), and the average numbers of each cell type for each group of testes were calculated. Normal testes showed morphologically normal interstitial Leydig cells (96.0 +/- 10 per cent) and multivacuolated Leydig cells (4.0 +/- 1 per cent). Cryptorchid testes showed normal Leydig cells (85.8 +/- 11 per cent) and multivacuolated Leydig cells (14.2 +/- 2.3 per cent). Men with KS showed normal Leydig cells (78.9 +/- 9.1 per cent), multivacuolated Leydig cells (9.2 +/- 1.2 per cent), and pleomorphic Leydig cells (11.0 +/- 1.8 per cent). The percentage of T++ cells was higher in normal testes (29.4 +/- 2.1 per cent) than in CR (11.4 +/- 2.2 per cent) and KS testes (6.3 +/- 0.7 per cent). This suggests reduced functional Leydig cell activity in CR and KS. Multivacuolated Leydig cells showed weaker immunostaining than did normal Leydig cells in all the testicular groups. No immunostaining was shown by pleomorphic Leydig cells. Intratubular Leydig cells were only found in CR and KS. Immunostaining was weaker in intratubular Leydig cells than in interstitial Leydig cells. This suggests that intratubular location reduces functional activity of Leydig cells.

Adolescent↗

Histochemistry and ultrastructure of nerve fibres and contractile cells in the tunica albuginea of the rat testis.

Whole-mounted preparations of the tunica albuginea of the rat testis were studied using light microscopy techniques for demonstration of cholinergic nerve fibres (Karnovski-Root method), catecholaminergic nerve fibres (De la Torre's method) and actin filaments (avidin-biotin-peroxidase method). An ultrastructural study of different regions of the albuginea was also performed. Cholinergic fibres were seen to penetrate into the albuginea with the testicular artery to form a broad network in the mediastinum testis, many fibres ending beneath the rete testis epithelium. Catecholaminergic fibres penetrated through the middle part of the cauda epididymis and formed a plexus in the albuginea covering the inferior testicular pole. This plexus gave rise to straight fibres which formed varicosities, some of them appeared related with mast cells. Actin-containing cells were only found beneath the rete testis epithelium. These cells were similar to myofibroblasts. The location of both cholinergic fibres and contractile cells among the rete testis channels suggests that these cells may be involved in the pumping of semen towards the ductuli efferentes and that their contractility may be regulated by cholinergic fibres.

Acetylcholine↗

Involution of human fetal Leydig cells. An immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and quantitative study.

The testes of stillborn fetuses (from 13 to 28 weeks of gestational age), fetuses born alive (from 29 weeks of gestational age) who died a few days later, and infants dying 1 to 8 months after birth were processed for light and electron microscopy. Paraffin-embedded material was stained with the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method for immunohistochemical detection of testosterone (T) in order to quantify the age-related changes in the number of T-positive interstitial cells. This number decreased progressively from the 24th week of gestation up to birth and remained unchanged up to the second month of postnatal life. During the third month of age, the number of T-positive cells rose markedly but fell again from the fourth month to the end of the study. The ultrastructural study revealed the following types of interstitial cells at all ages studied: fibroblast-like cells, myofibroblast-like cells, developed fetal Leydig cells, degenerating fetal Leydig cells and infantile Leydig cells with a multilobed nucleus and focal cytoplasmic accumulations of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. Quantitative ultrastructural studies revealed that the changes in the number of fetal Leydig cells with age were similar to those found in the number of T-positive cells although, for each age studied, absolute values were higher in the ultrastructural study. The number of infantile Leydig cells increased with age.

Aging↗

Changes in surface area and number of Leydig cells in relation to the 6 stages of the cycle of the human seminiferous epithelium.

In order to evaluate the occurrence of a Leydig cell cycle related to the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in man, the numbers of peritubular Leydig cells and surface area of these cells along 1 mm of tubular basement membrane at each stage of the cycle were calculated on histological sections of young adult testes. The Leydig cells that were located separated from the tubules (perivascular Leydig cells) were also classified according to the stage of the cycle shown by the nearest seminiferous tubule; the surface area and number of these cells were also calculated. The total surface area and numbers of Leydig cells (peritubular plus perivascular) along 1 mm of tubular basement membrane did not change during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Both the surface area and the numbers of peritubular Leydig cells were greater in stages I and II of the cycle, when spermatozoa are released; they decreased in stages III and IV and increased again in stages V and VI, whereas the contrary occurred in perivascular Leydig cells. The average surface area of each Leydig cell type remained constant throughout the stages of the cycle.

Adult↗

Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spermatic cord.

A 74-year-old man with a right inguinal hernia since 15 years was admitted because of inguinal pain and enlarged ipsilateral testis. Surgical exploration revealed a hernia with an empty hernial sac and three tumoral masses in the spermatic cord. Tumoral masses, spermatic cord, and testis were removed. Histological examination of the tumoral masses revealed a malignant inflammatory fibrous histiocytoma. The tumor infiltrated the vas deferens, pampiniform plexus, and adjacent adipose tissue. Epididymis and testis were not infiltrated. Three years after treatment with radiotherapy no recurrence or metastases have been observed.

Aged↗

Hyperplasia of spermatic cord nerves: a sign of testicular absence.

The comparative histologic study of the spermatic cord in the absence of testis, epididymis-testis separation, and normal development of both testis and epididymis, revealed that there is nerve trunk hyperplasia and hypertrophy in absence of the testis. This finding may greatly aid the diagnosis of testicular absence in the management of impalpable testes.

Cryptorchidism↗

Tubular embryonal remnants in the human spermatic cord.

The spermatic cords (SCs) obtained from: (a) autopsies of 67 adults and 50 children; (b) 3 fetuses; (c) 12 surgical specimens from 9 adults and 3 children with testicular tumors, and (d) 26 surgical specimens (14 adults and 12 children) with diagnosis of SC cysts, were studied by light microscopy. The histological study revealed the occurrence of tubular embryonal remnants (TERs) in 19 autopsied adults, 14 autopsied children, 3 fetuses, 2 surgical specimens (1 adult and 1 child) owing to testicular tumors, and 6 surgical specimens with diagnosis of SC cysts. The TERs were found in the low, middle or high thirds of the SC and consisted of a cuboidal or columnar, often ciliated epithelium surrounded by connective tissue. In the 3 fetuses and in 3 autopsied children renal glomeruli were found in close relation with the TERs. In 2 cases of SCs showing cysts and TERs both structures contained spermatozoa. The histological pattern of the TERs suggest that they are wolffian derivatives which might give rise to SC cysts.

Adult↗

A quantitative morphological study of human Leydig cells from birth to adulthood.

Human testicular specimens were obtained from biopsies and autopsies covering the period from birth to adulthood. The number of testosterone-containing Leydig cells was determined using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase method. This number decreased markedly from 3-6 months of age to the end of the first year of life and, up to 6 years of age, only a small number of testosterone-containing cells was found. From 6 years onwards the number of Leydig cells progressively increased. Ultrastructural examination revealed four types of Leydig cells: fetal-type Leydig cells (from birth to 1 year of age) with round nuclei, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with tubular cristae; infantile-type Leydig cells (from birth to 8-10 years of age), showing a multilobated nucleus, moderately abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, some lipid droplets and mitochondria with parallel cristae; prepubertal, partially differentiated Leydig cells (from 6 years of age onwards) with regularly-outlined round nuclei, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with tubular cristae, and some lipid droplets and lipofuscin granules; and mature adult Leydig cells (from 8-10 years of age onwards). The ultrastructure of the infantile-type Leydig cells and the lack of delay between the disappearance of the fetal-type Leydig cells and the appearance of infantile-type Leydig cells suggest that fetal-type Leydig cells give rise to the infantile-type Leydig cells. Before puberty, myofibroblast-like precursor cells differentiate into the prepubertal, partially differentiated Leydig cells, which complete their differentiation into the adult Leydig cells.

Adolescent↗