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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Stimulation of protein secretion in the initial segment of the rat epididymis by fluid from the ram rete testis.

Zone 1A of the ductus epididymidis was perfused with ovine rete testis fluid (nRTF) and modifications of it, and a synthetic medium (sRTF) based on the inorganic composition of nRTF. There was little fluid transport by the duct mucosa and nRTF stimulated protein secretion. The secretagogue activity was not extracted by charcoal, was sensitive to protease digestion and was present in a portion of nRTF with a molecular weight of greater than 10,000. The addition of bovine serum albumin to the sRTF stimulated protein secretion, but not to the same extent as equal amounts of protein in nRTF. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the perfusates showed that proteins with molecular weights of 19,000 (all rats studied), and 22,000, 30,000 and 60,000 (at least half the rats studied) were secreted into the perfusion fluids as well as some blood proteins, but the pattern of secretion was not affected by the composition of the perfusion fluid.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on spermatogenesis, rete testis fluid, and peripheral androgen levels in hypophysectomized rats.

To compare the effects of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the maintenance and the restoration of spermatogenesis, hypophysectomized (APX) rats were treated daily for 35 days with 0.5 mg of T propionate (TP) or DHT propionate (DHTP) beginning 5 or 33 days after hypophysectomy. In the maintenance experiment, the weights of the testes and the number of early spermatids were significantly lower in DHTP-than in TP-treated animals, while late spermatids were present only in rats treated with TP. In the restoration experiment, TP increased testicular weight and the number of germinal cells, whereas DHTP had very little effect on the testis. In an attempt to explain these findings, we measured androgen levels in the rete testis fluid (RTF) and peripheral plasma of APX rats treated with TP or DHTP. The concentration of T in the RTF of TP-treated rats was nearly 3-fold higher than the level of DHT in the RTF of animals given DHTP. Plasma T levels measured 1/2, 2, 4, and 24 hours after the last of three daily injections of TP were considerably higher than were the corresponding plasma DHT levels in animals given DHTP. In animals treated with free steroids, peripheral androgen levels between 1/2 and 4 hours after the last injection were much higher in rats given T than in those given DHT, but thereafter this difference disappeared. We conclude that the difference in the ability of subcutaneously injected TP and DHTP to maintain and to restore spermatogenesis in APX rats was due to a difference in androgen levels in the testes of these animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Morphology of the epithelium of the extratesticular rete testis, ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis of the adult male rabbit.

The fine structure of the epithelium lining the extratesticular rete testis, ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis of the rabbit has been investigated. In the ductuli efferentes the epithelium is composed of two cell types, principal cells and ciliated cells. The latter type is distinguished from principal cells by the presence of cilia projecting into the lumen and the position of the nucleus in the apical half of the cell. Principal cells in this segment are characterized by micropinocytotic vesicles on the surface plasma membrane and a variety of small dense bodies scattered throughout the cytoplasm. In the ductus epididymidis basal cells replace ciliated cells as the second cell type, but differences between various segments of the epididymis are related to the fine structure of the principal cells. In the proximal caput epididymidis (Nicander's region 1) the principal cells are tall with long microvilli. They typically contain a small Golgi apparatus and a cluster of dense bodies adjacent to the nucleus. In the distal caput epididymidis (Nicander's regions 2-5) the apical cytoplasm of principal cells is filled with numerous micropinocytotic vesicles and large multivesicular bodies; these features are interpreted as signs of absorptive activity. The multivesicular bodies are absent from the cytoplasm of principal cells in the corpus epididymidis (Nicander's region 6) and, instead, numerous elements of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, a large Golgi apparatus, lipid droplets and dense bodies characterize principal cells in this segment. Towards the proximal cauda epididymidis (Nicander's region 7), the number of dense bodies (lysosomes) in the cytoplasm increases considerably. In the globose cauda (Nicander's region 8), the principal cells are reduced in height, and in addition to the features described in region 7, are characterized by a concentric array of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the basal cytoplasm. These observations are discussed in relation to the role of the epididymis in promoting the maturation and survival of spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis: report of two cases.

We present two adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis (AHRT) cases. One of them was a 67-year old patient with prostatic adenocarcinoma and the other was a 38-year old patient with undescended testis. AHRT is a rarely seen lesion and usually detected as incidental microscopic finding. It may be confused with malignancy and related to testicular atrophy and hormonal imbalance. The treatment of choice is complete excision.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

Spermatozoa-containing simple cysts of the rete testis.

Simple cysts of the testis are rare benign lesions of uncertain etiology. We report 2 spermatozoa-containing cysts of the rete testis found incidentally in the left testicle of a 56-year-old man evaluated by ultrasound for hydrocele. The presence of spermatozoa in the cyst fluid has not been observed previously and confirms the connection of the cysts with the seminiferous tubular system.

Cysts↗
PubMed1980

On the microscopic anatomy of the rete testis a scanning electron microscopic and light microscopic study.

The microscopic anatomy of the transitional zone of the seminiferous tubules, the tubuli recti and the rete testis in adult rats was studied with histological serial sections, semithin sections and scanning electron microscopy. In paraffin section most transitional zones of the seminiferous tubules seemed to be obliterated by the modified Sertoli cells. Thinner plastic sections showed always a lumen, however. PAS--positive material, thought to represent masses of degenerating spermatozoa surrounded by Sertoli cell nuclei was found in 20% of transitional zones. About 80% of the tubuli recti had an initial widening which surrounded the bulging Sertoli cell bodies of the transitional zones. The intratunical rete consisted of five to seven intercommunicating channels, usually of small caliber. One wide communication was regularly present, however. The extratesticular rete was usually formed of two wide cavities. From their subdivisions the five to seven ductuli efferentes arose. The rete epithelium varied from very thin squamous to cuboidal and even columnar. The epithelial cells contained a flagellum surrounded by peripheral microvilli. Loose connective tissue was found under the epithelium of all parts of the rete.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

5alpha-Reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase enzyme activities in epididymis and their control by androgen and the rete testis fluid.

The 5alpha-reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase enzyme activities have been measured in epididymal tissues and the control of these activities by androgens and the rete testis fluid appreciated. The highest 5alpha-reductase enzyme activity was found in the caput, the lowest in the corpus epididymidis. Androgens have a positive control on the 5alpha-reductase but no effect on the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity. Ligation of the efferent ducts decreased significantly both enzyme activities in the caput but not in the corpus or in the cauda epididymidis.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1980

Loose connective tissue of rat rete testis. Fine structure, postnatal development and effect of efferent duct ligation.

Fine structure, postnatal development and reaction to efferent duct ligation of the loose connective tissue of the rat rete testis were studied by light and electron microscopy. The loose connective tissue of adult rats consists of elongate fibroblasts in a homogenous ground substance, together with some Leydig cells, lymphocytes, macrophages and mast cells. During postnatal development this tissue increases in amount, while the interstitial areolar tissue decreases. The "looseness" of the tissue becomes more evident between days 22 and 27, and may reflect an increase in hydration. Efferent duct ligation for 15 min to five days has no effect on the histological appearance of the tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cribriform intra-tubular epididymal change and adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis--a consequence of testicular atrophy?

We have observed an unusual change in the epididymal tubules, ranging from focal epithelial proliferation forming bridges, to a pronounced intra-tubular cribriform pattern of the epithelium. This often occurs in association with adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis which is an uncommon, usually incidental finding. Both processes appear associated with underlying testicular atrophy and may be related to local hormonal imbalance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

F4/80-positive cells rapidly accumulate around tubuli recti and rete testis between 3 and 4 weeks of age in the mouse: an immunohistochemical study.

PROBLEM: Previous studies demonstrated that F4/80 antigen (murine macrophage-specific antigen)-positive cells in testes of normal adult mice accumulate particularly in the interstitium adjacent to the tubuli recti and rete testis (i.e., the central region). However, it remains unknown whether this accumulation is a congenital or acquired phenomenon. METHOD OF STUDY: The distribution of F4/80-positive cells on frozen sections of testes obtained from various aged mice was immunohistochemically examined to determine when the positive cells specifically accumulate in the central region. RESULTS: F4/80-positive cells were homogeneously distributed throughout the testicular interstitium with no specific accumulation until 2 weeks of age. However, at 3 weeks of age, the density of positive cells in the central region became slightly, but significantly, higher than that in the interstitium between the seminiferous tubules. Between 3 and 4 weeks of age, the cell density in the central region increased rapidly, the density at 4 weeks of age reaching the level of the mature testes of 8-week-old mice. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the specific accumulation of F4/80-positive cells in the central region is an acquired phenomenon, which starts and ends before puberty.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Evidence that luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone statin from ovine rete testis fluid is immunologically related to alphaC inhibin.

LHRH Statin is a putative gonadal protein that increases the interval between two consecutive LHRH pulses. The present work was aimed at analyzing the immunological homology between LHRH Statin and the N-terminal region of the alphaC subunit of inhibin. Thus, rete testis fluid (RTF) proteins were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies against residues 1-7 plus 7-30 (experiment 1, A-fractions) and 14-28 of the alphaC inhibin subunit (experiment 2, B-fractions), and the LHRH Statin activity of the fractions was examined by intracerebroventricular administration in castrated rams followed by RIA of plasma LH levels in 15-min blood samples. Fractions that bound to the immunoaffinity column with low affinity were eluted with 0.5 M NaCl, pH 7.4 (-F2); then highly bound fractions were eluted sequentially in acidic (pH 2.5, -F3) followed by basic conditions (pH 11.5, -F4). In experiment 1, RTF (40 microg, n = 4) and highly bound fractions (A-F3, 30 ng, n = 8, 150 ng, n = 3; A-F4, 120 ng, n = 5) decreased LH mean plasma levels between 4 and 6 h after injection by 39%, 29%, 43%, and 37%, respectively (P<0.001 to 0.01), while the weakly bound fractions (A-F2, 180 ng, n = 4) and albumin control (40 microg, n = 4) had no activity. In experiment 2, RTF (100 microg, n = 4) and B-F3 (100 ng, n = 3) decreased plasma LH levels by 48% and 38%, respectively (P<0.001 to 0.05), whereas B-F4 (100 ng, n = 4) and albumin control (100 microg, n = 4) had no effect. A fraction obtained from B-F3 by gel filtration had significant LHRH Statin activity (63%, n = 6, P<0.001). PAGE with colloidal gold staining revealed 3 high molecular weight bands and 5 low molecular weight bands in B-F3. The 3 high molecular weight bands were shown to belong to the clusterin family and did not appear to have LHRH Statin activity. The 5 low molecular weight bands were all labeled by anti-alphaC inhibin antibodies. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that LHRH Statin has some homology with the 14-28 alphaC inhibin sequence.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Adenocarcinoma of rete testis. Apropos of a case and review of the literature].

We report a case of localized adenocarcinoma of rete testis in a 55 year-old man. Treatment associated radical orchidectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. At last follow up, the patient was well, without any evidence of recurrence, 26 months after surgery. The literature and the treatment modalities are reviewed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Apropos of a case].

In the light of a case report, the authors recall the clinical signs of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis and the precise histological and immunohistochemical features allowing confirmation of this very rare diagnosis. They emphasize the persistent controversies concerning the treatment of this testicular tumour.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1998

Neonatal exposure of male rats to estradiol benzoate causes rete testis dilation and backflow impairment of spermatogenesis.

Estrogens administered to perinatal rodents cause spermatogenesis impairment; this study was undertaken to determine the mechanisms by which estrogens exert this effect. Neonatal male Wistar rats received estradiol benzoate (either 0.5 mg/5g BW or 1 mg/5g BW) and were killed at days 10, 22, 33, 45, and 60. Controls received vehicle. In tubule cross-sections of transverse sections of the right testes, 1) tubular diameter (TD) and seminiferous epithelium height (SEH) were measured, 2) normal and impaired spermatogenesis were classified in terms of the most advanced germ cell type present, including tubules lined by Sertoli cells only. A significant dose-dependent rise in the tubule percentage lined by Sertoli cells only at day 60 reflected spermatogenesis impairment. This was evidenced by the presence of multinucleated germ cells in a thin epithelium and sloughed into an enlarged tubular lumen, which was reflected in a significant dose-dependent increase in TD/SEH values from day 22 onward. TD was significantly greater and SEH significantly lower in tubular segments located at the cranial than the caudal halves of rat testes treated with the high (days 22, 33, and 60) and the low dose (day 33). This indicated distension in cranial tubular segments, perhaps due to the fact that these segments were the closest to the dilated rete testis. Consequently, they showed the highest TD/SEH values and the most regressive features of spermatogenesis (tubules lined by Sertoli cells only). In contrast, caudal segments in rat testes treated with the low dose showing TD/SEH values similar to controls displayed a delayed maturation of spermatogenesis coinciding with the late appearance of mature Leydig cells.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Isoelectric forms of clusterin isolated from ram rete testis fluid and from secretions of primary cultures of ram and rat Sertoli-cell-enriched preparations.

Clusterin, a cell aggregating factor isolated from ram rete testis fluid (RTF), is shown to contain 14.7% hexoses, 13.6% glucosamine, and 7.9% sialic acid. The isoelectric point (pI) of the predominant electrophoretic form of clusterin from ram RTF is 3.7. After treatment with neuraminidase, the pI values become more basic, with the majority of the material being eluted from a chromatofocusing column at pH values between 4.9 and 5.1. Intact clusterin binds quantitatively to wheat germ agglutinin - Sepharose 6 MB, but after treatment with neuraminidase only 49% specifically binds. Clusterin isolated from proteins secreted by primary cultures of ram Sertoli-cell-enriched preparations was shown to have properties similar to those of intact clusterin isolated from ram RTF. In contrast, clusterin isolated from proteins secreted by primary cultures of rat Sertoli- or granulosa-cell-enriched preparations has isoelectric forms which more closely resemble those of neuraminidase-treated ram clusterin.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Studies of the androgen binding protein in the rete testis fluid of the ram and its relation to sexual season.

An androgen binding protein (ABP) with an electrophoretic mobility (Rf) of 0.56 is present in the rete testis fluid of adult rams. Its steroid specificity was found to be in the following order: 5alpha-DHT, testosterone, oestradiol-17 beta, dehydroepiandrosterone 5beta-DHT, androstenedione, cyproterone, cyproterone acetate, cortisol and progesterone. The characteristics of the ABP are similar to those found for the ABP of the testis and the epididymis of the rat and the rabbit. The concentration of ABP, determined by the dextran-coated charcoal method and sometimes confirmed by the steady-state polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method, was significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season (4.40 +/- 0.98 X 10(-9) M vs. 2.60 +/- 0.62 X 10(-9) M; P less than 0.037). The affinity constant of the ABP was independent of the season (2.45 +/- 0.21 X 10(9) M-1 vs. 2.66 +/- 0.1 X 10(9) M-1; NS). In addition, ABP was positively correlated with 5alpha-DHT (r = 0.506; P less than 0.0009), testosterone (r = 0.445; P less than 0.0003), total protein (r = 0.329; P less than 0.02) and spermatozoa (r = 0.406; P less than 0.006) in the RTF and with blood plasma testosterone (r = 0.584; P less than 0.0001). Furthermore, testosterone and 5alpha-DHT in RTF were positively correlated (r = 0.582; P less than 0.0001). These androgens were also correlated with plasma testosterone (r = 0.262, P less than 0.052 for testosterone in RTF; r = 0.341, P less than 0.018 for 5 alpha-DHT). Total proteins and spermatozoa were found to be positively correlated in the RTF (r = 0.789; P less than 0.0001).

Animals↗