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M A Fain-Maurel

Publications and source records attributed to M A Fain-Maurel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Protein secretion by the principal cells of mouse epididymis evidenced by in vitro incorporation of tritiated leucine.

The in vitro synthesis and secretion of newly formed proteins were investigated in the principal cells of small pieces of the head and body of mouse epididymis inserted into a modified Rose chamber. Our ultrastructural observations revealed that the cells resumed their normal ultrastructural appearance only after 3 h. Therefore, after preliminary 3-hour culture, the pieces were incubated with tritiated leucine at intervals ranging from 5 min to 6 h. The incorporation of radioactive leucine measured by scintillation counting demonstrated that each of the anatomical segments studied secreted a significant amount of proteins into the culture medium.

Animals↗

Enzyme activities in cynomolgus monkey and mouse spermatozoa evaluated histochemically during epididymal maturation.

Activities of dehydrogenases, phosphorylases, and hydrolases were investigated histochemically in situ comparatively in monkey (Macaca fascicularis), and mouse testicular and epididymal spermatozoa. Longitudinal sections of the whole mouse epididymis also were processed to evaluate the progressive changes along the duct. Numerous common enzymatic activities were found in spermatozoa of both species, particularly the dehydrogenases in the midpiece. However, there were specific differences concerning the occurrence, the distribution, and the intensity of several reactions. The activities acquired in the testis persisted or increased in the epididymis, in which some new enzyme activities arose. The main events occurred at the proximal part of the duct.

Animals↗

[Segmentation of the epididymal duct in mouse: an ultrastructural study].

The cytology of epithelial cells of the mouse epididymis was studied under light and electron microscopy. Four principal areas--the initial segment, the head, the body and the tail--were distinguished according to the morphological features of the main cells. Transitional areas separating these segments have been described also; one of the segments, intermediate between the head and the body, was longer. Five other cell types and their sites were noted: "apical" cells, corresponding to the "narrow" cells of Sun and Flickinger (1980), were located in the initial to the intermediate segment; clear cells were scattered in the epithelium from the intermediate segment to the tail; basal cells were sporadically distributed along the entire duct. Halo and dark cells were observed also.

Animals↗

High-resolution autoradiography of new formed proteins in the epididymis after incorporation of tritiated amino acids.

The synthesis and excretion of newly formed proteins in the principal cells of the head, body, and tail of the epididymis were studied by quantitative autoradiography in light and electron microscopy. Adult mice were killed from 5 min to 6 hr after intravenous injection of tritiated leucine, lysine, and arginine. The labels were taken up early and in greater amounts in the principal cells of the head. Radioactivity decreased in the cells of all three segments throughout the first hour following administration of the tracers. Thereafter, it increased in the lumen. High-resolution analysis showed successive peaks of relative concentration of the labels over the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and apical plasma membrane, thus confirming that protein synthesis and excretion follow the usual pathway in the principal cells all along the epididymis. However, since a radioactivity peak occurred as early as 15 min over the apical membrane of cells in the head, it is likely that part of the endoplasmic reticulum-canalicular and poor in polysomes-is involved independently in the synthesis and rapid transport of newly formed proteins.

Amino Acids↗

Scanning electron microscopic morphometry of a discriminated population of elongated human spermatozoa.

A scanning electron microscopic study was carried out on long-headed sperm from normal human semen with the purpose of establishing morphometrical standards for this atypical variety which is difficult to differentiate from the normal type in the spermocytogram. Subjective discrimination between the two populations (with elongated and normal heads) was confirmed by multidimensional analyses. They also made statistical identification of thin-headed spermatozoa (an intermediate form between the two preceding types) possible. Moreover, through the analyses an elongation index for distinguishing the elongated type from light microscopic observations was able to be calculated. Statistical data showed that the acrosome accounted for 30% of the elongated head, the postacrosomal cap and the posterior nuclear space--both bounded by furrows--occupied 9% and 6% respectively, whereas the posterior part of the head, covered by a voluminous cytoplasmic sheath, took up 56%. This lengthening of the head was accompanied by an elongation of the middle piece which thus became the second most important discriminating factor between the two populations.

Humans↗

Scanning-electron-microscopy-x-ray microanalysis and distribution of elements within the head of human spermatozoa.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with x-ray analysis has been utilized to investigate the distribution of several elements within the head of human spermatozoon. Despite minor individual variations, a preferential localization of elements (Ca, K, S, P) has been found in the head portion of the cell that corresponds to the post-acrosomal cap and is involved in the fusion of gametes during fertilization.

Calcium↗