Sodium butyrate/retinoic acid costimulation induces apoptosis-independent growth arrest and cell differentiation in normal and ras-transformed seminal vesicle epithelial cells unresponsive to retinoic acid

Retinoic acid (RA) and sodium butyrate (NaB) are regulators of cell growth and differentiation. We studied their effect on normal (SVC1) or v-Ki-ras-transformed (Ki-SVC1) rat seminal vesicle (SV) epithelial cell lines. The treatment of these cells with 10(-((7( M RA did not produce significant changes in the morphological and biochemical parameters analyzed. When RA was used in combination with 2 mM NaB, the treatment induced substantial morphological changes, apoptosis-independent growth arrest, up-regulation of tissue transglutaminase (tTGase), and down-regulation of beta and gamma RA receptor (RAR) mRNA expression. The same cells did not express RAR alpha either before or after NaB/RA treatment. A similar treatment did not change the amount of mRNA coding for the protein SV-IV (a typical differentiation marker of the SV epithelium) in normal or ras-transformed cells nor the level of v-Ki-ras mRNA in Ki-SVC1 cells. These findings suggest that a defective RA/RARs signaling pathway is probably the biochemical condition that underlies the unresponsiveness to RA of our in vitro culture system, and indirectly points to the possibility that the NaB/RA-induced effects were brought about by a cooperation at the transcription level between the histone deacetylase inhibitory activity of NaB and the ability of RA/RAR to modulate the expression of various genes involved in the control of cell growth and differentiation.

Seminal vesicle aspiration in spinal cord injured men: insight into poor sperm quality

PURPOSE

In men with spinal cord injury poor quality semen is seen when performing electroejaculation and penile vibratory stimulation. We determined whether sperm stasis within the seminal vesicles is a potential cause of this problem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seminal vesicle aspiration was performed immediately before electroejaculation or penile vibratory stimulation in men with aspermia secondary to spinal cord injury. Sperm count and quality of seminal vesicle aspiration and subsequent ejaculation were compared with historical ejaculated counts, ultrasound findings and patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Mean total number of right plus left seminal vesicle sperm plus or minus standard deviation was 511 +/- 960 x 10(6). Mean total number of sperm obtained by seminal vesicle plus electroejaculation or penile vibratory stimulation was 918 +/- 1,261 x 10(6). Average motility and viability of the seminal vesicle aspirated sperm were 1.3 and 3.2%, respectively. Average motility of the ejaculated sperm was 26.4% after seminal vesicle aspiration versus 16.3% in previous ejaculation induction procedures performed in the same patients. Seminal vesicle aspirated sperm represented 66% of the total number of sperm obtained during the session and was equal to 49% of the sperm obtained at previous electroejaculation or penile vibratory stimulation sessions. The period of abstinence correlated only with ejaculate count (simple regression p = 0.009). No other clinical characteristics had any effect on sperm count or quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Large numbers of poor quality sperm are present within the seminal vesicles of spinal cord injured men and these sperm comprise a large portion of the specimens collected by electroejaculation or penile vibratory stimulation. This phenomenon is independent of the period of abstinence, implicating disordered storage of sperm due to spinal cord injury rather than infrequent ejaculation. The large number of senescent sperm within the seminal vesicles appears to be a primary cause of poor sperm quality in spinal cord injured men.

Mesenchymal reprogramming of adult human epithelial differentiation

The objective of this study was to determine whether neonatal rat seminal vesicle mesenchyme (rSVM) can reprogram epithelial differentiation in a fully differentiated adult human bladder epithelium. For this purpose neonatal rSVM was isolated from newborn (0-day) Sprague-Dawley rats, and normal adult human bladder epithelium (hBLE) was isolated from radical cystoprostatectomy specimens to prepare rSVM+hBLE tissue recombinants in vitro. After overnight culture the tissue recombinants were grafted beneath the renal capsule of male athymic rodent hosts and allowed to grow in vivo for 6 months. As controls, rSVM and hBLE were grafted separately and allowed to grow for the same period. Tissue recombinants and control tissue grafts were harvested, and secretions were collected for biochemical studies. Tissues were fixed both for histologic as well as immunohistochemical staining. Neonatal rSVM induced normal adult human bladder urothelium to form glandular structures resembling prostate. The induced prostatic acini were filled with secretions that expressed human prostate-specific secretory proteins. These findings demonstrate that adult human urothelial cells retain a responsiveness to neonatal prostatic mesenchymal inductors. Change in urothelial histodifferentiation was associated with change in functional activity. The ability of the neonatal rat mesenchymal tissues to induce morphologic as well as biochemical changes in normal adult human urothelium provides a basis for human tissue engineering and organ reconstruction.

Androgen-dependent synthesis/secretion of caltrin, calcium transport inhibitor protein of mammalian seminal vesicle

Effects of androgen status on the synthesis and secretion of rat caltrin have been studied by three different procedures: a) immunocytochemistry in seminal vesicle tissues; b) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western immunostaining of seminal vesicle secretion; and c) evaluation of trypsin inhibitory activity of the seminal vesicle secretion. Rat caltrin has been immunolocalized in cells of the secretory epithelium, specifically in the electron-lucent halo of secretory granules which store and transport proteins to the lumen. No caltrin immunoreaction was detected 14 days postcastration, and the ultrastructure of the epithelial cells was markedly altered. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of the seminal vesicle secretion revealed alterations in the protein pattern and loss of the caltrin-related immunoreactive bands. The 54-kDa caltrin-precursor protein and the 6.2-kDa active caltrin were absent. Trypsin inhibitory activity of the seminal secretion was reduced about 50% in castrated animals. Daily testosterone administration restored both the protein pattern and immunoreactivity of the seminal vesicle secretion, and, as expected, reversed the morphological alterations of the gland after 7 days of treatment. Trypsin--inhibitor effect of the secretion also returned to normal levels after fourteen days of testosterone administration. Data suggest that the synthesis and secretion of caltrin are testosterone-dependent processes.

The effect of the aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum on the epididymal sperm pattern of the rat

An aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum was administered by stomach tube to ten mature male Wistar rats, at a dose of 47 mg/100 kg body weight/day for 14 consecutive days. Ten rats were kept as controls and received normal saline by oral route at the same dosing interval. Sperm was collected from the epididymes after decapitation. The results revealed that the water extract of the Cynomorium coccineum induced significant increase in the sperm count, improved the percentage of live sperm and their motility and decreased the number of abnormal sperm. Testicular histology showed increased spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules full of sperm in the treated group compared with the controls.

Microscopic picture of the vesicular glands in young boars with respect to feeding level

On 27 German Landrace boars studies were conducted to describe the effect of feeding level during the growth period on the microscopic picture of vesicular glands in boars at 5, 6 and 7 months of age. Investigations have shown that differentiation of feeding level during the growth period affected the development of internal structures of the parenchyma in the boars' vesicular glands. The size of the tubules, their number within the field of vision and height of glandular epithelium lining the tubules were the highest in the group of animals fed at increased level.

DNA ploidy in seminal vesicle cells. A potential diagnostic pitfall in urine cytology

OBJECTIVE

To verify that abnormal DNA ploidy in urine cytology can occasionally be attributed to contamination by seminal vesicle cells.

STUDY DESIGN

In the first part of this study, we analyzed the DNA content of six urine cytology specimens containing seminal vesicle cells. In the second part, we evaluated 21 Feulgen-stained prostate core biopsies containing seminal vesicle-type epithelium using a CAS-200 system. DNA index, proliferative activity (S + G2M) and degree of hyperploidy (> 5C) were determined in each case.

RESULTS

All six urine cytology specimens were diploid, with all but one containing hyperploid cells (range, 0-16%; mean, 6.3%). Seminal vesicle cells from prostate biopsies showed a broad range of ploidy abnormalities. Ten cases (48%) showed an aneuploid peak, two cases (9%) showed a tetraploid peak, and nine cases (43%) showed only a diploid peak. All but one case showed both an elevation in proliferative activity (mean S + G2M, 24.2%) and some hyperploid cells (mean, > 5C; 4.5%).

CONCLUSION

Seminal vesicle cells, although rarely seen in urine cytology, can cause abnormal DNA ploidy measurements. Morphologic criteria remain vital to an accurate cytologic diagnosis.

Immunohistochemical characteristics of estrogen receptor alpha positive cells in glandular epithelium of the rat seminal vesicle

Epithelial cells of the rat seminal vesicle stained positively for nuclear estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha). We studied these cells using immunohistochemical means. We demonstrated in a previous study that some glandular epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of immature castrated rats treated with estrogen for 1-2 weeks had multilayer features. The present study shows that these glandular epithelial cells are nuclear ER and basal cell-specific cytokeratin (34betaE12) positive. These findings suggested characteristics of basal cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that these cells express transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) as a result of castration and estrogen treatment. Our findings indicate that glandular epithelial cells with multilayer features, which stained positively for nuclear ER alpha have basal cell features and may play an important role in the expression of TGFbeta1 through an epithelial-stromal interaction.

Immunohistochemical localization of the spermadhesin AWN-1 in the equine male genital tract

Spermadhesins are proteins with various functions in sperm capacitation and zona pellucida binding. In this study the cellular localization of the spermadhesin AWN-1 has been examined in the equine male genital tract. Results obtained by immunohistochemical methods reveal that in the horse AWN-1 is synthesized in spermatogonia, in the rete testis, the ductus epididymidis and the seminal vesicles. These findings indicate that the cellular origin of spermadhesins is species-specific.

Sulfotransferase-mediated genotoxicity of propane 2-nitronate in cultured ovine seminal vesicle cells

2-Nitropropane (2-NP) is a well-known genotoxin and carcinogen in rat liver. Several metabolic pathways, particularly cytochrome P450-, peroxidase- and sulfotransferase-dependent ones, have been suggested to lead to the formation of DNA-reactive species from 2-NP. Because rat liver cells express most types of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, the role of specific pathways in the metabolic activation of 2-NP is difficult to assess in these cells. We have therefore investigated the genotoxicity of 2-NP and its anionic form, propane 2-nitronate (P2N), in cultured ovine seminal vesicle (OSV) cells. OSV cells lack cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activity, but express prostaglandin-H-synthase (PHS) and, as we found out, phenol sulfotransferase. The induction of DNA repair synthesis and specific DNA modifications served as indicators for the genotoxicity of 2-NP and P2N. Both forms strongly induced repair, P2N being more active than 2-NP. The secondary nitroalkanes nitrocyclopentane and nitrocyclohexane also induced repair, whereas 1-nitropropane and the reduction product of 2-NP, acetone oxime, did not. P2N also elicited the formation of the characteristic DNA modifications 'DX1' and 8-aminodeoxyguanosine and increased the level of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine residues in the DNA. Pretreatment of OSV cells with indomethacin, an inhibitor of PHS, affected neither the induction of repair nor the formation of the DNA modifications, and P2N was not a reducing substrate for the PHS-peroxidase activity. In contrast, the sulfotransferase inhibitor pentachlorophenol strongly reduced genotoxicity. The results show that cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases are not required for the metabolic conversion of secondary nitroalkanes or their nitronates into DNA-damaging products, nor is PHS involved in the metabolic activation. Instead, the data corroborate an essential role of sulfotransferase(s) in the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of secondary nitroalkanes. Moreover, it is demonstrated for the first time that these compounds can be genotoxic in cells other than hepatocytes or hepatoma cells. This implies that in species other than the rat, organs other than the liver can be targets for the genotoxicity, and possibly carcinogenicity, of secondary nitroalkanes.

Effects of Azadirachta indica leaves on the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate in albino rats

Oral administration of 20, 40, 60, mg of dry Azadirachta indica leaf powder for 24 days resulted in decrease in the weights of seminal vesicles and ventral prostate, reduction in epithelial height, nuclear diameter and the secretory material in the lumen. Biochemically, there was a decrease in total protein, acid phosphatase activities. Seminal vesicles and ventral prostate being androgen dependent, the regressive changes histologically as well as biochemically, suggests the antiandrogenic property of the neem leaves.

Photoperiod-induced changes in androgen receptor expression in testes and accessory sex glands of the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus

Photoperiodic modulation of androgen levels and androgen receptor (AR) expression in testes and accessory sex glands were studied in a seasonally breeding rodent, the bank vole. Juvenile voles subjected to long photoperiod (20L:4D) for 6-8 wk attained sexual maturity, which was associated with a prominent increase in testicular testosterone (T) levels and weight of testes and accessory sex glands. Pubertal development in short photoperiod-treated (6L:18D for 6-8 wk) juveniles was arrested, and subsequently reproductive regression set in with a marked decrease in testicular T levels and gonadal weight. In sexually active voles, strong AR immunostaining was detected in nuclei of epithelial, smooth muscle, and stromal cells of the epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicles. In active testes, AR was present in nuclei of Sertoli cells, peritubular cells, Leydig cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. In juveniles, strong to moderate nuclear immunoreactivity was encountered in epithelial and stromal cells of the epididymis and prostate, whereas a weaker reaction was discerned in seminal vesicles. In juvenile testes, AR was localized to vascular smooth muscle cells, peritubular, and interstitial cells. In sexually regressed animals, nuclear staining was almost absent in accessory sex glands, whereas in testes, moderate immunostaining was retained in all other cell types except the Sertoli cells. Western blots of active and regressed testes indicated a marked photoperiod-induced down-regulation of immunodetectable AR in the regressed gonad.

Antiandrogenic effect of Striga orobanchioides

The ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Striga orobanchioides given for 7 days to immature male rats at a dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight caused a significant decrease in the weight of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and the ventral prostate. It also produced degenerative changes of Leydig cells, their nucleus, the seminiferous tubules and a significant decrease in the number of spermatocytes and spermatids. The seminiferous tubules of the treated rats are shrunken and compactly arranged. The antiandrogenic or antispermatogenic effect of the extract is discussed.

The epithelium of the vesicular gland of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse): histology and ultrastructure

The epithelium of the vesicular gland of the African giant rat was studied by the light and electron microscopes. The gland is compound tubuloalveolar, lined by a columnar epithelium, the apical surface of which is covered by a few short microvilli. The epithelial cells are the principal and basal cells. The principal cells have an abundance of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rER), which are often arranged in whorls. Basal cells are few, being wedged between adjacent principal cells in the basal region. They are fairly electron lucent and contain fewer organelles. Intraepithelial lymphocytes, which also occur mostly in the basal region are also present in the epithelium. The presence of these latter cells is noteworthy in that they are not a known feature of the epithelium of the vesicular gland of other species.

Reproductive biology of the male sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus (Emballonuridae) from India

The seasonal chronological events of the reproductive cycle in the male sheath-tailed bat T. longimanus and changes in structure and function of accessory sex organs were studied at Varanasi (latitude: 25 degrees N, 83 degrees E). The first peak of spermatogenesis was observed in September with the appearance of spermatozoa. The spermatogenic arrest in winter dormancy (December) was followed by a second peak of spermatogenesis in January. This period coincides with ovulation in females. The third peak of spermatogenesis started after regression in late April, and completely regressed tubules were found after May. The cycle of accessory sex gland complex generally paralleled the testicular cycle, reaching maximum hypertrophy from September to January and again in late April. Thereafter, the accessory sex glands involuated. Spermatozoa were present in the cauda epididymidis throughout the year. The reproductive cycle in family Emballonuridae varies with changes in latitude, and this was so even in members of the same species. The presence of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis throughout the year is an interesting feature in the reproductive cycle. Temperature and photoperiod do not play a regulatory role in reproduction in T. longimanus.

Effect of sex hormones on the tissue localization of nuclear estrogen receptor positively stained cells in the seminal vesicle of immature castrated rats

We studied the changes in the tissue localization of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) positively stained cells in the seminal vesicle of immature castrated rats under various environmental conditions of sex hormones by immunohistochemical methods. In castrated rats of 6 weeks of age, the percentage of nuclear ER positively stained cells showed remarkable increase in the periglandular stroma region, but not in the epithelium and the peripheral stroma region. Estrogen administration to castrated rats dramatically increased the percentage of nuclear ER positively stained cells in both the epithelium and the peripheral stroma region, whereas cessation of estrogen treatment caused a significant percentile decrease. These results suggest that the nuclear ER expression in both the epithelial cells and the peripheral stromal cells seems to respond to estrogen. The concomitant treatment of estradiol-17 beta (E2) with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) completely inhibited these E2 mediated ER expression in the epithelium and the stroma. This result suggests that ER works only when E2 is given in the absence of DHT in the seminal vesicle of immature castrated rats.

m-Calpain activation/depletion is associated with androgen-induced reduction of protein kinase C and proliferation of male accessory sex organ smooth muscle cells

PURPOSE

In the guinea pig seminal vesicle smooth muscle (SVM), androgen-dependent proliferation and terminal differentiation appear to be coupled to protein kinase C (PKC). This is based on the observations that both the soluble (cytosolic) enzyme and the Triton X-100 solubilizable form of the particulate enzyme were reduced during proliferation but were androgen-resistant in the amitotic state of adults. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if the reduction in PKC activity was linked to the translocation of the activated enzyme to acceptor sites in the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction of the cell or reflected enzyme depletion due to proteolysis by androgen-dependent activation of the u- and/or m-calpains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SVM was harvested from treated animals, homogenized and separated into soluble and particulate components. The particulate material was further fractionated into Triton X-100 soluble and insoluble fractions. PKC activity was determined in all fractions using radioactive ATP. Cultures of pure smooth muscle cells from both human prostate and SVM were also employed to assess the role of calpain in smooth muscle growth.

RESULTS

During androgen-induced proliferation, instead of a translocation of PKC activity to the Triton X-100 insoluble particulate fraction of the cell, PKC activity in this fraction was significantly reduced. The m-calpain was the only isoform detected in SVM. At the peak of androgen-induced DNA synthesis in pre-pubertal castrate animals, m-calpain decreased 45% whereas in proliferative resistant SVM of adult castrates the protease was not significantly affected by androgen treatment. In pure smooth muscle cultures from the SVM as well as human prostate glands calpeptin the cell permeable inhibitor of calpains produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (IC50 approximately equal to 35 microM) of cellular proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that biochemical assays of calpain quantify the residual proenzyme and that upon activation calpain is rapidly degraded, our findings indicate that m-calpain activation occurs in association with androgen-induced degradation of PKC and SMC proliferation. Thus in vitro inhibition of m-calpain activation is antiproliferative. The relative resistance of m-calpain in adult SVM may be an important component of the terminal differentiation process in normal smooth muscle.

Induction of micronuclei with ochratoxin A in ovine seminal vesicle cell cultures

The genotoxic potential of the carcinogenic mycotoxin of ochratoxin A (OTA) has been investigated by means of an in vitro micronucleus assay, an endpoint for genotoxicity which has not been studied previously for OTA. OTA was found to induce dose-dependently micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated ovine seminal vesicle (OSV) cell cultures, which had been treated with mycotoxin (12-30 microM) for 6 h in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. For comparison, OSV cells were treated with colcemid (0.02-0.06 micrograms/ml), or 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (NQO; 0.5 microM), a typical aneugen and clastogen, respectively. All test compounds increased the frequency of MN in OSV cells, the highest level being induced by 10 microM OTA. When MN were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-kinetochore (CREST) antibodies, the majority of MN in colcemid-treated cells was CREST-reactive (> 70% kinetochore positive); as expected, this fraction was < 10% for the NQO-treatment group. In cells treated with OTA the fraction of kinetochore positive MN was similar (33-40%) to that observed in solvent controls (38%). These data indicate that OTA induces MN apparently by a mixed, although predominantly clastogenic mode of action. OSV cells lack monooxygenase activity but express high prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) activity. When cells were treated with OTA in the presence of indomethacin (10 and 10 microM), a well known inhibitor of PGHS, the frequency of MN induced by OTA was not decreased, but rather increased. This indicates that metabolic activation of OTA by PGHS seems not to be required for genotoxicity. The increased MN induction in OSV cell cultures is most likely due to competition in indomethacin with OTA for binding to serum proteins thus raising the fraction of free mycotoxin.

Lectin-like receptor for alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in the epithelium of the rat prostate gland and seminal vesicles

BACKGROUND

A receptor for alpha 1-acid glycoprotein glycoforms AGP-B and AGP-C in the epithelium of the rat prostate gland and seminal vesicles is described.

METHODS

The interaction between AGP-glycoforms and their receptor is a lectin-like interaction confirmed by inhibition of the binding by mannose and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine.

RESULTS

In vitro the receptor was also inhibited by the steroid hormones cortisone, aldosterone, progesterone, and estradiol, but not by testosterone. A significant regional variation in the expression of AGP-lectin receptor and in the localization of AGP was seen in rat prostate and seminal vesicles. The localization of the AGP lectin receptor is compared to the localization of glycoprotein AGP, and small differences are found.

CONCLUSIONS

It is proposed the AGP receptors in the prostate and seminal vesicles belong to a group of lectins in the control of differentiation and organ formation.

Polyamine levels in testes and seminal vesicles from adult golden hamsters during gonadal regression-recrudescence

The exposure of golden hamsters to short days results in early regression of the reproductive organs and subsequent spontaneous recrudescence characterized by active cellular regeneration and differentiation. Thus, adult male hamsters were subjected to short photoperiod (SP, 6L:18D) for 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22 weeks or maintained under long photoperiod (LP, 14L:10D) for 22 weeks, to assess photoperiodic-related changes in testicular and seminal vesicle (SV) levels of polyamines (PA) that are involved in cell growth and differentiation. During the regression phase, the weights of the organs and the circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol were significantly diminished and, thereafter, during the recrudescence phase, they recovered total or partially their control values. In both tissues, the exposure to SP for 14-16 weeks resulted in an increase of PA concentrations, followed by a return to control levels in the recrudescence period. At the time of maximal tissue involution, the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity (key regulatory enzyme of PA biosynthesis) showed a significant increase in testis, preceding the sharp peak of PA concentration. However, a marked decrease in ODC activity was detected in SV. The concentration of N-acetyl PA in SV showed an increment at 16 weeks of SP, while no modifications were detected in testicular concentration. When PA, N-acetyl PA, and ODC activity were expressed per testis and per SV, values fell significantly during the involution period, but in the recrudescence phase levels were recovered concomitantly with the restoration of the organ weight and function. In conclusion, the photoperiodic-related changes in PA and their N-acetyl derivatives might play a crucial role in regrowth and differentiation of the male sexual organs during the spontaneous recrudescence phase. Additionally, organ-specific regulation of the PA biosynthesis pathway could also take place.

Potential involvement of kallikrein hK2 in the hydrolysis of the human seminal vesicle proteins after ejaculation

We have recently demonstrated in liquefied human seminal plasma the presence of the novel kallikrein hK2 in association with protein C inhibitor (PCI) as a 75-kDa complex. In the present study, we showed that hK2, immediately after ejaculation, was recovered only in its free form but complex formation with PCI occurred rapidly thereafter and was completed within 10 minutes. That reaction required an enzymatically active kallikrein. In order to determine the patterns of hydrolysis of major seminal vesicle proteins, semenogelins and fibronectin were exposed to hK2 and to hK3 (prostate-specific antigen or PSA) and cleavage sequences were identified by N-terminal sequencing. Free hK2 was able to hydrolyze semenogelins and fibronectin in vitro. Most of cleavage sites were at the carboxyl-side of arginyl residues. Semenogelins were hydrolyzed to a similar extent by catalytic (and similar) concentration of either hK2 or PSA though no common cleavage sites was identified for both proteinases. Unlike semenogelins, fibronectin was hydrolyzed much more efficiently by hK2 than by PSA. These results show that hK2 is enzymatically active during a short period of time after ejaculation, that major seminal vesicle proteins can be the target of this proteolytic activity, and that hK2 and PSA have different substrate specificities.

Inhibitory effects of retinoic acids on androgen-dependent development of neonatal mouse seminal vesicles in vitro

The effects of retinoic acids (RAs) on development of seminal vesicles (SVs) of neonatal mice were investigated in vitro. SVs from 0-day-old male mice were cultured for 2-6 days in serum-free, chemically defined medium containing transferrin and BSA supplemented with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 10(-8) M) and insulin (10 microg/ml), alone and in combination. Before culture, SVs from 0-day-old mice consisted of an unbranched epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme. SVs cultured in medium with DHT plus insulin or DHT alone formed numerous epithelial branches after day 2 of culture, whereas epithelial branching did not occur in SVs cultured with insulin alone. All-trans-RA or 13-cis-RA (10(-9)-10(-6) M) added to medium containing DHT plus insulin or DHT alone inhibited epithelial branching in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was reversible after removal of the retinoids from the medium on day 4 of culture. These RAs also decreased [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of both epithelium and mesenchyme of SVs cultured in medium with DHT plus insulin or DHT alone and inhibited the increase in their protein contents. 9-Cis-RA was less inhibitory than all-trans-RA or 13-cis-RA on epithelial branching, [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of epithelium and mesenchyme, and protein content of SVs cultured in medium with DHT and insulin. In the absence of DHT (insulin alone), all-trans-RA did not affect either the [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of epithelium and mesenchyme or the protein content of cultured SVs. Reverse transcriptase-PCR demonstrated strong expression of transcripts for mouse RA receptors (RARalpha, RARgamma, and RXRalpha), with lower levels of expression of RARbeta, RXRbeta, and RXRgamma in neonatal SVs. The present results indicate that RAs reversibly inhibit androgen-dependent development of neonatal mouse SVs, most likely through RARs.

Immunohistolocalization of the carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III) in the reproductive tract of male horses

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate locations of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme (CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III)-positive epithelial cells in equine male reproductive organs.

DESIGN

Descriptive and immunohistochemical study.

ANIMALS

4 clinically normal male horses.

PROCEDURE

The testis (seminiferous tubules, rete tubules), epididymis (initial, middle, and terminal segments), proximal and distal portions of the ductus deferens, ampulla ductus deferentis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral gland were excised from euthanatized horses after administration of an overdose of pentobarbital. The tissue specimens were quickly placed in fixative solution, dehydrated in ethanol, and embedded; then thin sections were cut. For immunohistochemical staining, antibodies against purified equine CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III were raised in rabbits. After examination of the specificity of each antiserum, the monospecific antisera against carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes were used to localize the isoenzymes.

RESULTS

Specific staining for CA-III was found in the Sertoli and basal cells of the ductus deferens. Most of the testicular and epididymal tissue, as well as ductus deferens, were virtually negative for the enzymes when stained with the antibody to CA-I and CA-II. In the initial segment of the epididymis, a few principal cells had intense cytoplasmic staining with anti-CA-II. In the male accessory glands, CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III were detected in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral gland.

CONCLUSIONS

In the equine male reproductive tract, the bicarbonate in semen originates mainly from accessory reproductive glands. All 3 isoenzymes may have central roles in the regulation of bicarbonate concentration in seminal plasm and, accordingly, regulate seminal plasma pH. Distribution of CA-III in Sertoli and basal cells of the ductus deferens suggests other specialized physiologic roles.

Distribution and tissue expression of semenogelin I and II in man as demonstrated by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry

Semenogelin I and II (Sgl, Sgll) are two separate gene products of chromosome 20 with extensive (80%) identity in primary structure. They are mainly responsible for immediate gel formation of freshly ejaculated semen. Degradation of Sgl and Sgll is due to the proteolytic action of prostate-specific antigen (PSA); it results within 5-15 minutes in liquefaction of semen and release of progressively motile spermatozoa. By means of cDNA cloning and Northern blots, Sgl and Sgll transcripts have previously been shown to be abundant in human seminal vesicles, but Sgll alone is suggested to be expressed at low levels in the epididymis. To characterize the expression and tissue distribution of Sgl and Sgll in greater detail, we produced monoclonal immunoglobulin Gs (lgGs for immunocytochemistry (lCC) and specific [35S]-, digoxigenin-, or alkaline phosphatase-labeled 30-mer antisense probes to Sgl and Sgll for in situ hybridization (lSH). Immunocytochemical staining for both Sgl and Sgll, and lSH detection of both Sgl and Sgll transcripts, were demonstrated in the cytoplasm of seminal vesicle epithelium. lSH showed Sgll alone to be expressed in the epithelium of the epididymal cauda. Neither lCC nor lSH yielded any evidence of Sgl or Sgll expression in caput or corpus epithelium or in any stromal cells of the epididymis. Consistent with our previous findings using polyclonal lgG, monoclonal anti-Sgll Sgll lgGs identified epitopes on the posterior head, midpiece, and tail of ejaculated spermatozoa. Spermatozoa in the epididymal cauda were also immunoreactive, but those in the caput or corpus region of the epididymis as well as those in the testis were negative. As shown by lCC, neither Sgl nor Sgll were expressed in the testis, the prostate, the female genital tract, or other normal human tissue specimens. Although the significance of Sg attachment to epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa remains to be established, monoclonal anti-Sg lgG might prove useful in establishing the origin of seminal vesicle tissue components in prostate core biopsies or other biopsy specimens.

Epithelial development in the rat ventral prostate, anterior prostate and seminal vesicle

The prostate and seminal vesicle (SV) are androgen-dependent secretory glands of the male genital tract. The epithelial cells of these glands produce the bulk of the seminal secretions. The objective of the present study was to examine the ontogeny of cytokeratin and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the rat SV, anterior prostate (AP) and ventral prostate (VP). The study utilized organ culture to examine the effects of androgens on the development of these markers and castration of adult rats to examine androgenic effects on their maintenance. Tissues were examined from 14 days of gestation to adulthood. The SV was a tubular organ from its inception while the prostate formed from solid epithelial cords. These prostatic buds canalized in a proximal to distal manner starting at day 1 postnatal in the VP and day 5 in the AP. The expression of cytokeratins and AR was visualized by immunocytochemistry. In all three glands keratins 5, 7, 8, 14, 18 and 19 were initially uniformly expressed in all epithelial cells. In the SV, segregation of cytokeratins between the luminal and basal cell types started at 4 days postnatally with keratin 7 localizing to basal cells. Five days after birth, keratins 5 and 14 were also localized to the basal epithelium, while keratins 8 and 18 were only expressed by luminal cells, Keratin 19 was expressed in all epithelial cells throughout development and into adulthood. In the VP and AP the same pattern of cytokeratin segregation occurred as in the SV. Epithelial differentiation occurred in a proximal to distal fashion in the prostate. In the proximal VP ducts keratins 7 and 14 were basally localized by 2 days postnatally, while keratin 5 did not clearly segregate to basal cells until day 9 after birth. In the AP keratin 14 was basally localized by 1 day postnatal but keratin 5 and 7 did not colocalize to the basal cells until days 9 and 12, respectively. AR were expressed in the epithelium of the urogenital sinus from 19 days of gestation. At 19 and 20 days of embryonic development AR-negative prostatic buds were seen emerging from the AR-positive urogenital sinus epithelium. By birth AR were detectable in the epithelium of both prostatic lobes and the SV. The role of androgens in the development of the prostatic and SV epithelium was investigated in a serum-free organ culture system. These experiments showed that differentiation of prostatic and SV luminal and basal epithelial cell types was accelerated as compared to the in vivo situation in the presence of androgens, and did not occur in their absence. Following castration of adult animals the prostate and SV regressed with preferential loss of luminal epithelium. The relative numbers of basal cells was increased, though some flattened cells expressing a luminal cell pattern of cytokeratins were still observed. AR were detected in the prostatic and SV epithelium of long-term castrated animals. In summary, the rat prostate was found to be derived from undifferentiated solid epithelial cords. Canalization occurred concurrent with the differentiation of clear epithelial subtypes. Epithelial AR were expressed from around the time of birth and expression levels increased with age. The SV was canalized from its inception but likewise was derived from an undifferentiated epithelial precursor.