SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Seminal Vesicles”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Functional responses of the rat isolated seminal vesicle to electrical field stimulation: a pharmacological analysis.

1. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the rat isolated seminal vesicle elicited frequency-dependent and tetrodotoxin sensitive contractions which were unaltered by hexamethonium or mecamylamine. 2. Prazosin alone was not sufficient to abolish these responses, but a combination of atropine and prazosin was fully effective, indicating involvement of both noradrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms. 3. Responses were predominantly cholinergic (blocked by atropine, potentiated by ecothiopate but not significantly altered by prazosin or guanethidine) at 1-8 Hz but became increasingly noradrenergic (blocked by prazosin or guanethidine but relatively unaltered by atropine or ecothiopate) with increasing frequencies of stimulation. 4. Electrical field stimulation of seminal vesicles removed from reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-pretreated rats produced contractions that were clearly cholinergic in nature. 5. After exposing the seminal vesicles to guanethidine, or after pretreatment of rats with 6-OHDA, responses to EFS remained, indicating that activation of discrete cholinergic and noradrenergic innervations seem to underlie the contractile responses observed. 6. Yohimbine and prazosin potentiated the predominantly cholinergic responses at 1, 2 and 4 Hz in tissues from untreated rats, but not in those from animals pretreated with reserpine or 6-OHDA, indicating the possibility of an interaction between the two innervations. 7. No inhibitory responses to EFS could be demonstrated in tissues precontracted with KCl in the presence of a combination of atropine and prazosin suggesting the absence of a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory innervation.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1987

Roles of neonatal and prepubertal testicular androgens on androgen-induced proliferative response of seminal vesicle cells in adult mice.

Male mice were castrated at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 days of age; daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP, 4 micrograms/g b. wt) were started from day 90. On various days after starting the TP injections, the incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine into the whole seminal vesicles was determined as an index for proliferation. The seminal vesicle cells in mice castrated on days 0 and 20 were characterized by low weight (0.5-1 mg) before TP injection, long duration of androgen-induced proliferation (greater than 20 days) with a low peak, and involvement of both epithelial and fibromuscular cells (neonatal castration type). The seminal vesicle cells in mice castrated on days 60 and 40 were characterized by relatively high weight (5-10 mg) before TP injection, short duration of androgen-induced proliferation (10 days) with a high peak, and involvement of only the epithelial cells (adult castration type). In mice castrated on days 0 and 20, the neonatal castration type of androgen-induced proliferation was completely changed to the adult castration type when TP pretreatment (2 micrograms/g b. wt per 12 h) had been given from day 20 to day 40. However, the TP pretreatment given from day 90 to day 110 instead of days 20-40 had no such effect in 140-day old mice castrated on day 0. The present findings suggest that testicular androgens secreted from day 20 to day 40 play an indispensable role in the induction of irreversible proliferative response of the mouse seminal vesicle. The activity of the prepubertal androgens may not be completely compensated by androgen activity at adulthood.

Androgens↗

PubMed1990

Peptidergic innervation within the prostate gland and seminal vesicle.

An immunohistochemical study in which antisera against several neuropeptides were used demonstrated the presence of neuropeptide Y(NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity in nerve fibers in the human prostate gland and seminal vesicle, whereas no immunostaining for substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide was observed. The peptidergic innervation was found to be generally moderate to low. NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive fibers were localized in the subepithelial connective tissue as well as the smooth muscle layers in both organs, although the peptidergic fiber networks were more prominent in the seminal vesicle. Most NPY-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the musculature of the seminal vesicle. In addition, NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive fibers were demonstrated in the walls of blood vessels. The results of our study suggest that the innervation of the prostate gland and seminal vesicle by various neuroactive peptides may be involved in the autonomic regulation of these organs in adult man, as well as sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Seminal vesicle cyst and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Case report.

Cysts of the seminal vesicles are rare, and associated anomalies of the ipsilateral kidney are frequent. We report a case of a monolocular cystic mass in the seminal vesicle bed in a young male with recurrent epididymitis, with emphasis on the ultrasonographic and CT features. The embryological background is briefly mentioned.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

The cDNA cloning of a 55-kilodalton protein from guinea pig seminal vesicle. Evidence that the protein is the precursor of a 25-kilodalton basic secretory protein.

Guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium synthesizes and secretes large amounts of four secretory proteins including a basic protein designated SVP-1. The latter migrates as a protein of 25 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When total cellular RNA from seminal vesicle epithelium was translated in vitro by a rabbit reticulocyte system, SVP-1 was not identifiable as a product. In contrast, a major product of the reticulocyte system was a 55-kDa protein which paradoxically could not be identified as one of the four known secretory proteins or as an abundant tissue protein. We isolated a cDNA clone which corresponded to the mRNA which coded for the 55-kDa protein. The mRNA was 1800 bases and of very high abundance; only the transcripts corresponding to the major secretory proteins SVP-3 and SVP-4 were as conspicuous. From these observations, we decided to test whether the 55-kDa protein was related to SVP-1. The 55-kDa protein was found to share properties of SVP-1, including an alkaline pI and selection by antibody against SVP-1. After proteolytic digestion of the 55-kDa protein, one fragment co-migrated with authentic SVP-1. Furthermore, detectable fragments of the 55-kDa protein smaller than SVP-1 all co-migrated with fragments generated from the proteolytic digestion of SVP-1. Finally, we show that the 55-kDa protein could be processed in vitro by seminal vesicle lumenal extracts to yield a 30-kDa protein and a protein the size of native SVP-1. The best explanation of our results is that the 55-kDa protein represents the primary translation product and precursor of SVP-1. Our proteolytic mapping and in vitro processing studies are consistent with the idea that the 55-kDa protein is a tandem repeat of two SVP-1 molecules. We used the cDNA clone to study the expression of the corresponding gene in different states of androgen depletion and repletion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A Kunitz type of proteinase inhibitor isolated from boar seminal vesicle fluid.

Using immunoaffinity chromatography on a Sepharose 4B column with adsorbed antibodies to the basic inhibitor in bovine organs (Kunitz-type), a proteinase inhibitor was isolated from boar seminal vesicle fluid. The isolated protein inhibited acrosin, trypsin, plasmin and chymotrypsin, but not kallikrein. Its molecular weight determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 was 9,500 (+/- 500) and by SDS electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel 12,000 (+/- 500) daltons. The protein was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation only in boar seminal vesicle fluid and seminal plasma, and by indirect immunofluorescence on ejaculated spermatozoa and in the epithelium of boar seminal vesicles. This inhibitor is the first acrosin inhibitor specific for the genital organs, which evidently belongs to the group of Kunitz type inhibitors, to be described.

Acrosin↗

PubMed1978

The effects of 5alpha-reduced androgens on maintenance and regeneration of prostate glands and seminal vesicles in castrated and hypophysectomized rats.

The effects of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol (3beta-diol) were studied in rats hypophysectomized and treated daily for 30 days with the steroids, starting on the day of surgery (hypophysectomized, H) or 30 days following the removal of pituitary (hypophysectomized regressed, HR). The ability of 3beta-diol to maintain and restimulate the prostate glands and seminal vesicles of castrated (C) and castrated regressed (CR) rats, respectively, was also studied. This androgen (3beta-diol) was able to maintain as well as rejuvenate to some degree the sexual accessory glands of all treatment groups. The prostate glands and seminal vesicles in both castrated experimental groups showed increased stimulation with progressively higher dosages of 3beta-diol. At all dose levels, stimulation of seminal vesicles of CR rats was comparable to that of non-regressed castrates. The prostate glands, on the other hand, showed better maintenance in the higher dosage group. In H rats, the stimulation of sexual accessory glands by both androgens was not significantly different than normal controls. The seminal vesicles and prostate glands of HR rats treated with 3alpha-diol were well stimulated and comparable to those of H rats treated with 3alpha-diol. The seminal vesicles of HR rats treated with 3beta-diol were also well stimulated, though not to the extent as those with 3alpha-diol treatment. The prostate glands of the 3beta-diol treated HR rats were significantly smaller than those of the 3alpha-diol treatment group. However, these miniature glands were morphologically stimulated as evidenced by mitosis of parenchymal cells and accumulation of secretory products in the alveoli. This study clearly indicates that 3beta-diol is biologically active and the degree of stimulation varies with the animal preparation in which the androgens were tested.

Androstane-3,17-diol↗

PubMed1986

The effects of androgen on the transcription of specific genes in guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium.

Steroid hormones have been shown to have highly differential effects on the expression of abundant cell-specific protein genes in a multitude of model tissues. In rat seminal vesicle, for example, DNA clones representing two major secretory protein genes have been used to show that both of the genes are differentially regulated by androgen. In this paper, we have examined the effects of androgen on the transcription of two major secretory protein genes in guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium. Nuclear run-off experiments were used to show that castration of the adult resulted in a 3-fold decrease in total transcription activity. Surprisingly, the decrease in total transcriptional activity was not reflected in a differential decrease in the transcriptional activity of the two major secretory protein genes. When the effects of castration on the transcriptional activity of the major secretory protein genes were compared to the effects on other genes, it was found that the transcriptional activity of each gene examined was decreased by the same magnitude as the major secretory protein genes. Similarly, the transcriptional activity of every gene examined increased by the same magnitude as the major secretory protein genes during hormone repletion of the castrated adult. Thus, in contrast to the differential effects of steroids on the transcription of abundant cell-specific proteins in many other steroid-dependent tissues, the transcription of major secretory proteins in guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium appears to be regulated in parallel with many other genes. The generalized effects of androgen on transcriptional activity could account for the generalized effects of androgen on seminal vesicle epithelial cell structure and function.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers and binding sites in the hamster seminal vesicle during post-natal development.

The distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerves and 125I-labeled VIP- and CGRP-binding sites was studied in the hamster seminal vesicle of 12-, 30- and 60-day-old animals. In addition, the general innervation of the seminal vesicle was examined using the general neuronal marker synaptophysin. Our results show that the densities of the overall (synaptophysin immunoreactive) and CGRP-immunoreactive innervation is constant during the post-natal development of the gland. However, a significant decrease in VIP-containing nerves is observed at the end of puberty. The autoradiographic study revealed that in 12-day-old animals, the epithelium presents VIP binding sites. However, in 30-day-old animals, VIP binding sites are observed in the epithelium of only a few clumps of acini. In 60-day-old animals, the gland is composed of acini with dilated lumina where VIP binding sites are not detected. In all groups studied the epithelium does not exhibit CGRP binding sites. The seminal vesicle muscle layer displays specific binding sites for both VIP and CGRP at all post-natal developmental times, but the density of VIP binding sites is higher in 12- than in 30- and 60-day-old animals. Our results, showing the presence of specific VIP and CGRP binding sites during the development of the hamster seminal vesicle, suggest that these neuropeptides may be involved in the growth and differentiation of the gland.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Prostatic glands and urothelial epithelium in a seminal vesicle cyst: report of a case and review of pathologic features and prostatic ectopy.

We report a case of a seminal vesicle cyst containing prostatic glands and urothelial epithelium in a patient with no other urogenital anomalies. The detection of prostatic tissue, which is of endodermal origin, in a seminal vesicle cyst, a mesonephric duct derivative, is unusual. We review the pathologic features of seminal vesicle cysts and discuss the histogenesis of prostatic and urothelial tissue.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Electrophoretic study of the protein composition of human seminal vesicle secretion].

The SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional reductived electrophoretic study of the liquid aspirated from human seminal vesicles showed that this medium contains high molecular weight proteins (greater than 150 kDa). In addition to these high molecular weight proteins, native seminal vesicle secretion is characterised by the presence of a large 47.4 kDa protein band corresponding to seminogelin, described by Lilja. The high molecular weight proteins actually correspond to associations of three types of protein subunits with molecular weights of 75-76, 63-64 and 47-48 kDa, which represent the structural elements of the coagulum; one of these subunits consists of seminogelin. Seminal vesicle secretion contains very little or no proteolytic enzymes, so that its protein composition remains stable even after incubation for 24 hours.

Body Fluids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo recording of contractile activity of pelvic urethra and seminal vesicle in rats. Effects of electrical stimulations and neurohypophysial hormones.

The spontaneous contractility of the pelvic urethra and seminal vesicles in the rat was recorded in vivo and the effects of the electrical stimulation as well as the neurohypophysial hormones on it were studied. The mean amplitude of pelvic urethra contractions was 3.2 +/- 0.9 cm H2O and the mean frequency was 4.1 +/- 0.8 contractions/min. The seminal vesicles contractions exhibited a mean amplitude of 1.6 +/- 0.7 cm H2O and a mean frequency of 2.6 +/- 0.8 contractions/min. Each electrical stimulation produced a sudden and vigorous contraction in pelvic urethra as well as in seminal vesicles. Oxytocin and vasopressin did not change neither the amplitude nor the frequency in the spontaneous activity of these organs.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Suppression of glutathione S-transferases in rat seminal vesicles or pituitary glands.

We have studied the tissue-specific expression of GSH S-transferases in rat seminal vesicles and pituitary glands by in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation. The major GSH S-transferase subunit expressed in rat seminal vesicles belongs to the Yb mobility class whose expression diminishes when the rats are treated with pentobarbital. The pattern of GSH S-transferase expression in the pituitary gland is very similar to that of the rat brain with Yb size subunit(s) predominant. The Y beta size subunit is also expressed together with the Yc and Y delta subunits. The expression of GSH S-transferases was drastically reduced in pituitary gland poly(A) RNAs from diethylstilbestrol-treated, ovariectomized female rats. Xenobiotics such as phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and trans-stilbene oxide induce rat liver GSH S-transferase activities, especially the Ya- and Yb-subunit containing isozymes. Induction of GSH S-transferases by a combination of the three xenobiotics is neither additive nor synergistic, however. Our results clearly demonstrate that GSH S-transferase expression in seminal vesicles and pituitary glands can be suppressed by phenobarbital and diethylstilbestrol, respectively. Our findings suggest that different GSH S-transferase isozymes respond differently to various xenobiotics. Both induction and suppression occur in rats treated with xenobiotics. This notion helps to explain the lack of additive or synergistic induction in rats treated with more than one xenobiotic.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Neuropeptides in the seminal vesicles: locations, binding sites and functional implications.

The importance of neuronal factors in the normal physiology of the seminal vesicles has been traditionally underestimated when compared to the trophic role of androgens. Immunohistochemical, autoradiographical and pharmacological experiments have, however, raised the possibility that neuropeptides, such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), are necessary for full seminal vesicle function and development. These neuropeptides may be involved in the regulation of secretion, smooth muscle tone and blood flow. Furthermore, neuropeptides may have functional interactions with androgens affecting, probably, androgen receptor-dependent gene expression in these glands. It is now timely to focus attention on the biological relevance of neuropeptides in the seminal vesicles.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Induction of prostatic morphology and secretion in urothelium by seminal vesicle mesenchyme.

Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions are essential for the development of the male reproductive tract. Tissue recombination experiments have been used to define the characteristics of these interactions. When mesenchyme, embryonic connective tissue, is recombined with epithelium from another organ an instructive induction may occur in which the developmental fate of the epithelium is altered. Instructive inductions are most common when the epithelium that is removed from the mesenchyme and the epithelium that is recombined with the mesenchyme are from the same germ layer. All of the mesenchyme of the male reproductive tract is of mesodermal origin. The epithelia of these organs are derived from either the mesodermal Wolffian duct epithelium or the endodermal urogenital sinus epithelium. Urogenital sinus mesenchyme can instructively induce bladder and urethral epithelium to form prostate (Donjacour, A. A. and Cunha, G. R. (1993) Endocrinol. 132, 2342-2350) and seminal vesicle mesenchyme can instructively induce epithelium from the ductus deferens and ureter (Cunha, G. R., Young, P., Higgins, S. J. and Cooke, P. S. (1991) Development 111, 145-158) to form seminal vesicle. To see whether inductive interactions could occur across germ layers in this system, seminal vesicle mesenchyme, normally associated with a mesodermal epithelium, was recombined with epithelium from neonatal or adult bladder or urethra, which are of endodermal origin. The resulting tissue recombinants were analyzed histologically and by immunocytochemistry and western blotting with antibodies to prostatic and seminal vesicle secretory proteins. Full prostatic differentiation was observed in tissue recombinants made with seminal vesicle mesenchyme plus either adult or neonatal bladder or urethral epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carcinoma of the seminal vesicle: CT appearance.

We report the CT findings in a case of primary seminal vesicle carcinoma. These consisted of unilateral enlargement of a seminal vesicle with associated stranding extending into the surrounding fat. This soft tissue stranding corresponded pathologically to direct tumor invasion.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1982

Transabdominal sonography of seminal vesicles.

We evaluated 119 male patients for infertility and/or prostatitis. Transabdominal sonography of the seminal vesicles was performed and transverse sections were used to measure the height and breadth. A correlation was established with the characteristics of the semen, the volume of semen being related directly to the size of the vesicles. Male patients with semen abnormalities had seminal vesicles of greater diameters than those with normal semen. When patients with prostatitis are eliminated from this group the difference is insignificant.

Humans↗

PubMed1981

Monstrous epithelial cells in human epididymis and seminal vesicles. A pseudomalignant change.

Peculiar monstrous epithelial cells simulating anaplastic malignant transformation were observed in human epididymis and seminal vesicles. In epididymis, scattered hyperchromatic giant epithelial cells were seen protruding into the lumina of ductuli efferentes in 12 of 43 specimens examined (28%). Eight cases were seen in cancer patients and four cases in noncancer patients. In seminal vesicles, epithelial cells exhibiting nuclear hypertrophy, hyperchromatism, and transformation into a variety of grotesquely shaped nuclei were observed in 24 of 32 specimens examined (75%). Fourteen cases were seen in cancer patients and 10 cases in noncancer patients. Since the peculiar epithelial changes were observed in both cancer and noncancer patients, this phenomenon represented a histologically pseudomalignant condition. In both organs, the group of patients without atypical epithelial changes were younger. Generally, the pseudomalignant changes were not seen in persons under the age of 20. There was no correlation to any particular systemic disease. The histogenesis remains speculative, but hormonal effects or degeneration due to aging seem to be contributory. The most important aspect of these observations, however, is that the changes described should not be mistaken for cancer. In addition, eosinophilic hyaline bodies were frequently observed in the muscle layer of seminal vesicles. The nature and the significance of their occurrence is unknown.

Adolescent↗