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Biomedical subjects

M P Hardy

Publications and source records attributed to M P Hardy.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Changes in rabbit corpus luteum progesterone secretion and cellular morphology following unilateral luteectomy or ovariectomy.

The objective of this study was to determine whether removal of corpora lutea (CL) from one ovary (unilateral luteectomy; ULL) or removal of the entire ovary (unilateral ovariectomy; ULO) of pseudopregnant rabbits would cause compensatory growth and progesterone production by the contralateral ovary. Pseudopregnancy was induced in rabbits with hCG (Day 0). On the first day of pseudopregnancy, one group of rabbits received a sham operation (controls), another group underwent ULL, and a third group underwent ULO. On Day 11 of pseudopregnancy, each rabbit underwent laparotomy, the ovarian artery and vein were cannulated, and the ovary(ies) was removed and perfused in vitro for 6 h. The mean CL weight increased by 33% in the ULL group and by 28% in the ULO group as compared to sham-operated controls. Peripheral estradiol and progesterone levels in sham-operated control, ULL, and ULO groups were similar. Ovarian venous estradiol levels were similar in the control and ULL groups, but were significantly increased in the remaining ovary of the ULO group. Both ovarian venous progesterone in vivo and progesterone secretion in vitro increased significantly in contralateral ovaries from ULL and ULO rabbits as compared to sham-operated controls. Progesterone secretion by ovaries perfused in vitro increased significantly in the contralateral ovary of the ULL and ULO groups. Mean number of luteal cells per CL increased significantly in the ULL group, but not in the ULO group. In contrast, luteal cell volume increased significantly in the ULO, but not in the ULL group. The stimuli responsible for increased progesterone production following ULL and ULO result in morphological changes in the remaining CL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Luteinizing hormone differentially regulates the secretion of testicular oxytocin and testosterone by purified adult rat Leydig cells in vitro.

The aims of the present study were to determine whether Leydig cells in vitro synthesize oxytocin, and whether LH modulates the secretion of oxytocin by Leydig cells. Highly purified adult Leydig cells were prepared from adult rats and cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of 0.1 ng/ml ovine LH, and media were changed daily. The total amount of oxytocin present in the culture was estimated by RIA of cell extracts before culture (day 0) and at the end of day 3 of culture and in media on days 1-3. The content of immunoreactive oxytocin in cell extracts on day 0 (3.4 +/- 1.2 pg/10(6) cells) was significantly lower than the total amount that had been released into the medium and was present in the cell extracts at the end of day 3 (+LH, 27.8 +/- 3.3; -LH, 16.5 +/- 2.7 pg/10(6) cells), suggesting that Leydig cells are able to synthesize and secrete oxytocin. This hypothesis was supported by the observation that oxytocin release into the medium was significantly reduced during a 3-h treatment of Leydig cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (5 micrograms/ml for 3 h). The role of LH in regulating testosterone production by Leydig cells is well defined, but whether LH also regulates oxytocin is unknown. Therefore, the effects of LH on oxytocin and testosterone production by Leydig cells were compared. The production of both hormones was stimulated by increasing doses of LH (0.001-100 ng/ml), but no further rise in oxytocin release could be elicited with amounts of LH greater than 0.1 ng/ml. Testosterone production, however, continued to increase with doses of LH up to 100 ng/ml. Furthermore, the two hormones differed in the rate of their responses to both 3- and 12-h exposures to LH; testosterone secretion increased more rapidly than that of oxytocin. These data provide direct evidence that adult Leydig cells produce immunoreactive oxytocin, and that their production of this peptide is regulated by LH.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Developmental changes in levels of luteinizing hormone receptor and androgen receptor in rat Leydig cells.

To further assess the hormonal response capabilities of Leydig cell progenitors (PLC) from 21-day-old rats, their levels of LH and androgen receptors (LH-R and AR) were measured and compared to those of isolated immature (ILC) and adult Leydig cells (ALC) from 35- and 90-day-old rats, respectively. Levels of LH receptor were estimated by Scatchard analysis of binding to [125I]hCG, and levels of LH receptor mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis using a rat LH receptor antisense RNA probe. The numbers of LH receptors per cell measured by the binding study were 2,623 +/- 1,110 in PLC, 9,024 +/- 1,992 in ILC, and 39,896 +/- 15,234 in ALC (mean +/- SEM of four replicate experiments; ALC significantly greater than either PLC or ILC at P less than 0.05). The Northern blotting revealed three major bands [6.7, 2.6, and 2.3 kilobases (kb)] that were present in Leydig cells at all three ages and were not detected in HepG2 cells. When the steady state levels of the predominant 6.7-kb species were normalized to actin mRNA, PLC were 6.3-fold lower than ILC and 1.7-fold lower than ALC (n = 3 replicate isolations of poly(A) RNA). The 2.6- and 2.3-kb species exhibited similar trends. Levels of AR were estimated by immunoblotting using a polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide of the receptor (residues 14-32) that detected a 110-kilodalton AR protein. Levels of AR mRNA were estimated by Northern blot analysis, using a rat AR antisense RNA probe that detected a single 10-kb AR mRNA. The relative levels of AR protein were 1.0, 1.5, and 0.5 in PLC, ILC, and ALC, respectively (n = 3). Similar trends were observed for AR mRNA (n = 3). The observation that both LH and AR levels were lower in PLC compared to ILC is consistent with the hypothesis that the former are progenitors of Leydig cells.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1991

Hormonal control of Leydig cell differentiation.

Leydig cell progenitors contain significant concentrations of androgen receptors. When the metabolism of DHT to 3 alpha-DIOL is blocked, DHT stimulates testosterone production by Leydig cell progenitors, most probably via an androgen receptor dependent mechanism. Rapid metabolism by 3 alpha-HSD may limit the potency of exogenous DHT to stimulate differentiation of Leydig cell progenitors in vitro. Insulin-like growth factor-I enhances androgen production by purified immature Leydig cells. The elevated sensitivity of immature Leydig cells versus adult Leydig cells to IGF-I stimulation indicates that this peptide hormone has a role in their differentiation during puberty.

Androgens↗
PubMed1990

Increased levels of junB and c-jun mRNAs in male germ cells following testicular cell dissociation. Maximal stimulation in prepuberal animals.

We have examined the relative transcript levels of the junB and c-jun proto-oncogenes during development of the mouse testis. junB and c-jun mRNA levels are low in total RNA from intact immature or mature testes. Dissociation of testicular cells, however, increases the levels of junB and c-jun mRNAs, with higher increases in the dissociated cells from testes of 8-day-old mice than from 17-day-old or sexually mature mice. These differences in junB and c-jun mRNA levels localize to specific cell types. In testes from 8-day-old mice, the mRNA levels for both proto-oncogenes are higher in type B spermatogonia and in the interstitial cell fraction than in type A spermatogonia. In testes of 17-day-old mice, the highest mRNA levels for both proto-oncogenes are seen in preleptotene spermatocytes and interstitial cells, with decreasing levels in leptotene/zygotene spermatocytes and prepuberal pachytene spermatocytes. junB and c-jun mRNAs are nearly undetectable in pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids, and residual bodies/cytoplasts. The increased junB mRNA levels originate not only from the expected 2.1-kilobase transcript but from a more slowly migrating transcript of about 2.3 kilobases. RNase H analysis demonstrates that this migration change was due to an increase in mRNA polyadenylation. The low levels of junB and c-jun mRNAs in intact testes and the much higher levels in isolated cells from identical testes suggest that the disruption of cell-to-cell contact increases the amount of junB and c-jun transcripts in specific cells of the testis. Coupled with this increase, structural changes are seen with the junB mRNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Differentiation of Leydig cell precursors in vitro: a role for androgen.

An enriched fraction of mesenchymal-like cells was isolated from the testes of 21 day old rats. Testosterone production (ng/10(6) cells.24 hours) by these cells when cultured in vitro was measured by radioimmunoassay of HPLC-purified extracts of culture medium. In the presence of LH + DHT there was a significant increase in testosterone secretion from 22 +/- 10 ng after day 1 of culture to 284 +/- 75 ng on day 3 (P less than 0.01). By contrast, LH or DHT alone were without significant effect. We conclude that LH alone is insufficient but that androgen and LH induce mesenchymal-like Leydig cell precursors from 21 day old rats to produce testosterone.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Kinetic studies on the development of the adult population of Leydig cells in testes of the pubertal rat.

The objective of this study was to determine whether postnatal increases in rat Leydig cell number result from differentiation of precursor cells, division of existing Leydig cells, or both. Our approach was 1) to examine changes in the absolute number of Leydig cells and potential precursor cells (macrophages, pericytes, and mesenchymal, endothelial, and myoid cells) per testis on day 19 of gestation (day -2) and days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 postpartum; 2) to examine the frequency with which mesenchymal and Leydig cells divide during prenatal and postnatal development; and 3) to identify and examine the fate of the progeny of Leydig and mesenchymal cell divisions during prenatal and postnatal development. Stereological methods were used to show that mesenchymal cells comprised 44% of the total interstitial cell population and Leydig cells 16% on day -2, whereas by day 56 postpartum the relationship had reversed; mesenchymal cells comprised 3% and Leydig cells 49%. These results suggested a precursor-product relationship between mesenchymal and Leydig cells because no such reciprocal relationship was observed between Leydig cells and macrophages, pericytes, endothelial, or myoid cells. Autoradiographic analysis of [3H]thymidine incorporation into mesenchymal and Leydig cells was consistent with this interpretation. In a series of pulse-chase experiments, the percentage of labeled mesenchymal and Leydig cells was measured after a single injection of [3H]thymidine on days 2, 14, 28, and 56 postpartum, each followed by sampling at timed intervals (between 1 h and 14 days) thereafter. Starting on day 14, the percentage of labeled Leydig cells was approximately 1% immediately after injection of [3H]thymidine and increased significantly to approximately 6% by 6 days after injection. No such increase was observed when rats were similarly injected starting on days 2, 28, and 56 postpartum. The rise in Leydig cell labeling between days 14 and 28 postpartum did not result in a decline in the number of silver grains over labeled Leydig cell nuclei, indicating that the increase in the percentage of labeled cells was not caused by Leydig cell division. These observations led us to conclude that the increase in Leydig cell labeling from days 14 to 28 was the result of recruitment from a compartment of labeled mesenchymal cells. In contrast, our analysis indicated that from day 28 postpartum and thereafter until the mature number of Leydig cells is attained, Leydig cells are generated by division of morphologically recognizable Leydig cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Hormonal facilitation in the release of sperm from the spermatheca of the red-spotted newt.

Several neurotransmitters and hormones with potential to trigger a simultaneous contraction of the oviducts and the spermathecal myoepithelium were examined. Saline (0.05 ml), or 0.05 ml saline plus acetylcholine (9 mg), norepinephrine (50 micrograms), arginine-vasotocin (25 units), prostaglandin F2 alpha (3 micrograms) were injected into the spermathecal region of female newts (n = 24 per group). The numbers of sperm present in the cloacae of prostaglandin-injected animals (107 +/- 30 SEM) were significantly greater than the numbers detected in saline (27 +/- 5 SEM) and in uninjected (14 +/- 3 SEM) controls. Smaller and less consistent increases in the numbers of sperm were detected in the vasotocin- and norepinephrine-injected groups. Study of sections from ovulating female newts failed to produce evidence that pressure from the passage of ova through the posterior portion of the oviduct forced sperm from the spermatheca. Observations indicate an active role for the spermathecal myoepithelium in the discharge of stored sperm and of a role for prostaglandin F2 alpha in triggering that discharge.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1987

Photoperiodic variation of Leydig cell numbers in the testis of the golden hamster: a possible mechanism for their renewal during recrudescence.

Golden hamster testes regress after short day exposure. The present study asks: 1) are Leydig cell numbers depleted during short days, and 2) if so, how are they replenished during recrudescence. Control hamsters were shown 14 h of light and 10 h of dark (LD 14:10) for 10 weeks (n = 12). Testicular regression was induced by LD 6:18 for 10 weeks (n = 4), and recrudescence by switching regressed hamsters to LD 14:10 for 3 and 5 weeks (n = 8 for each group). All hamsters were injected with [3H]thymidine [3 microCi/gm body wt., intraperitoneally (i.p.)] 1 h or 2 weeks before sacrifice. Leydig cell number per testis was determined by stereological analysis of sections of perfusion-fixed testes, and labeling indices were determined by autoradiography. Leydig cell numbers were reduced significantly from 18.2 X 10(6) in control to 9.0 X 10(6) in regressed testes (p less than 0.05); then increased to 14.0 X 10(6) and 17.9 X 10(6) in 3- and 5-week recrudesced hamsters. The labeling index was nondetectable (n.d.) for regressed hamsters. In control and recrudescing hamsters the labeling index was measured at two times (t1 = 1 h vs. t2 = 2 weeks post-injection): in controls, t1 = 0.22 +/- 0.15% (mean +/- SEM) vs. t2 = 0.28 +/- 0.22%; in 1 week recrudesced, n.d. vs. 1.92 +/- 0.77% (p less than 0.05); at 3 wk, n.d. vs. 4.58 +/- 1.74% (p less than 0.05); at 5 weeks, 1.92 +/- 0.61% vs. 2.25 +/- 0.59%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Regulation of motility in sperm of the red-spotted newt.

The motility of sperm was examined in vivo in the vas deferens, the spermatophore, and the spermatheca of the red-spotted newt and in in vitro preparations with variations in osmolality, hydrogen ion concentration, and concentrations of specific osmolytes. Sperm were motile within the spermatophore, but little or no evidence of motility was seen in the spermatheca or the vas deferens. Approximately 25% of sperm from the vas deferens became motile when dispersed in spermatic fluid plasma, the sperm-bearing liquid of the vas deferens, indicating crowding to be a possible motion-restraining factor. Fewer than 50% were motile in several saline media isosmotic with spermatic fluid plasma, whereas more than 90% became motile in distilled water or media at osmolalities near that of pond water. Motility in isosmotic solutions persisted beyond 12 hours, but at low osmolality ceased by 6 hours. When dispersed at higher osmolalities initial motility was low but increased to isosmotic levels by 12 hours. Responses to immersion in solutions of mannitol were similar to ones observed in saline solutions of equivalent osmolality. Dispersion in hydrogen ion concentrations between pH 4 and 9 did not affect the initial motility of sperm, but after 12 hours at pH 9, pH 4 or 5 movement was inhibited. In general, these data indicate a major role for osmolality in the enforced quiescence of sperm during storage and demonstrate that the low osmolality of pond water is primarily responsible for the activation of sperm in the spermatophore of the newt.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Transport of sperm within the cloaca of the female red-spotted newt.

The transport of sperm in the cloaca and adjacent regions of the female red-spotted newt was examined. It was found that within 1 min after sperm were introduced into the vent, they progressed in a random pattern past the apertures of the spermatheca (the glandular, sperm storage organ that opens from the anterior roof of the cloaca) forward to the anterior end of the cloaca and on into the posterior regions of the hindgut and bladder. Sperm did not enter the dorsal recess of the cloaca into which the oviducts and ureters open. After 1 day, few sperm remained within the cloaca lumen. Sperm were not transported into the cloacae of artificially inseminated, anesthetized females without prior administration of norepinephrine to their cloacal mounds. Treatment of the cloacal mounds of naturally inseminated females with an antagonist of neuromuscular transmission (lidocaine) decreased the numbers of sperm in the anterior cloaca relative to those of saline-injected control specimens. Neither dead newt sperm nor live rabbit sperm entered the spermatheca. Rabbit sperm, however, entered the oviduct. It is argued that passive and active mechanisms of sperm transport work in concert. Contractions of smooth muscle, which may be initiated during courtship, probably serve to draw sperm passively into the cloaca and up to and beyond the apertures of spermathecal tubules, but sperm, once in the vicinity of those apertures, probably swim actively into them.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on androgen production by highly purified pubertal and adult rat Leydig cells.

Leydig cells were isolated and purified from adult and midpubertal rats to study the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on steroidogenesis. Androgen production, as measured in Leydig cell conditioned culture media, from four different treatment groups (1 = no hormone; 2 = 70 ng/ml IGF-I; 3 = 0.1 ng/ml LH; 4 = 70 ng/ml IGF-I + 0.1 ng/ml LH) were compared daily. After 3 days in culture, the cells were treated with a maximally stimulating dose of luteinizing hormone (LH) (100 ng/ml) for 3 hours. Androgen production was highest in the cells treated with both IGF-I and low concentrations of LH. In the presence of IGF-I, regardless of LH, cells derived from pubertal animals had a greater increase in steroidogenesis during the culture period than did cells from adult animals. Pretreatment with IGF-I prior to maximal LH stimulation induced a greater increase in androgen production in cells from pubertal rats than in cells from adult animals. It is concluded that IGF-I has a direct effect on Leydig cells and may act synergistically with LH to promote androgen synthesis. The greater response in pubertal cells raises the possibility that IGF-I is important in the maturing process of the testis.

Aging↗