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Umezu K, Musina GR, Larina IV. In vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse testis and epididymis with optical coherence tomography†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:365-376. [PMID: 37971359 PMCID: PMC10873499 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is crucial for studying the physiological dynamics. Sperm transport is a highly dynamic process regulated by tubular contractions and luminal flows within the male reproductive tract. However, due to the lack of imaging techniques to capture these dynamics in vivo, there is little information on the physiological and biomechanical regulation of sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. Here, we present a functional in vivo imaging approach using optical coherence tomography, enabling live, label-free, depth-resolved, three-dimensional, high-resolution visualization of the mouse testis and epididymis. With this approach, we spatiotemporally captured tubular contractility in mouse testis and epididymis, as well as microstructures of these reproductive organs. Our findings demonstrated that the contraction frequency varies significantly depending on the epididymal regions, suggesting the spatial regulation of epididymal contractility. Furthermore, we implemented quantitative measurements of the contraction wave and luminal transport through the epididymal duct, revealing the physiological dynamics within the male reproductive tract. The results show that the contraction wave propagates along the epididymal duct and the wave propagation velocity was estimated in vivo. In conclusion, this is the first study to develop in vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of the male reproductive tract, which allows for quantitative analysis of the dynamics associated with sperm transport. This study sets a platform for various studies investigating normal and abnormal male reproductive physiology as well as the pharmacological and environmental effects on reproductive functions in mouse models, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guzel R Musina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Omotehara T, Nakata H, Nagahori K, Kuramasu M, Ichimura K, Itoh M. A Single Administration of Progesterone during the Neonatal Period Shows No Structural Changes in Male Reproductive Tracts in Mice. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2023; 56:127-136. [PMID: 38318101 PMCID: PMC10838630 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.23-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The concentration of female-dominant steroid hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, drops after birth in neonates. We have reported that neonatal estrogen treatment results in inflammation in the epididymis after puberty in male mice. Our recent study discovered that progesterone receptor was specifically expressed in efferent ducts just before birth in male mice. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the impact of neonatal progesterone administration on the efferent ducts after puberty. Progesterone was subcutaneously administered to neonatal mice on their birthday in three groups: high-dose (200 mg/kg), low-dose (8 mg/kg), and control (cottonseed oil). Their testis and epididymis were collected at 12 weeks old. Semi-serial paraffin sections of these tissues were prepared and evaluated through PAS-hematoxylin staining. Efferent ducts were reconstructed into a three-dimensional structure, and their length and volume were analyzed. Spermatogenesis in the testis and epithelium of the tracts appeared normal, even in individuals administered with progesterone. There were no significant differences in the length and volume of the efferent ducts among the three groups. This study suggests that progesterone treatment in neonatal mice does not cause any structural changes in the male reproductive tracts at puberty, unlike the neonatal estrogen treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Omotehara
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nakata
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kenta Nagahori
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Basic Medical Science, Department of Anatomy, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kuramasu
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ichimura
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Itoh
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Omotehara T, Hess RA, Nakata H, Birch LA, Prins GS, Itoh M. Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 393:577-593. [PMID: 37335379 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The androgen pathway via androgen receptor (AR) has received the most attention for development of male reproductive tracts. The estrogen pathway through estrogen receptor (ESR1) is also a major contributor to rete testis and efferent duct formation, but the role of progesterone via progesterone receptor (PGR) has largely been overlooked. Expression patterns of these receptors in the mesonephric tubules (MTs) and Wolffian duct (WD), which differentiate into the efferent ductules and epididymis, respectively, remain unclear because of the difficulty in distinguishing each region of the tracts. This study investigated AR, ESR1, and PGR expressions in the murine mesonephros using three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction. The receptors were localized in serial paraffin sections of the mouse testis and mesonephros by immunohistochemistry on embryonic days (E) 12.5, 15.5, and 18.5. Specific regions of the developing MTs and WD were determined by 3-D reconstruction using Amira software. AR was found first in the specific portion of the MTs near the MT-rete junction at E12.5, and the epithelial expression showed increasing strength from cranial to the caudal regions. Epithelial expression of ESR1 was found in the cranial WD and MTs near the WD first at E15.5. PGR was weakly positive only in the MTs and cranial WD starting on E15.5. This 3-D analysis suggests that gonadal androgen acts first on the MTs near the MT-rete junction but that estrogen is the first to influence MTs near the WD, while potential PGR activity is delayed and limited to the epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Omotehara
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, IL, 61821, USA
| | - Hiroki Nakata
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Japan
| | - Lynn A Birch
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Gail S Prins
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Masahiro Itoh
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Horvath-Pereira BDO, Almeida GHDR, da Silva Júnior LN, do Nascimento PG, Horvath Pereira BDO, Fireman JVBT, Pereira MLDRF, Carreira ACO, Miglino MA. Biomaterials for Testicular Bioengineering: How far have we come and where do we have to go? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1085872. [PMID: 37008920 PMCID: PMC10060902 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1085872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional therapeutic interventions aim to restore male fertile potential or preserve sperm viability in severe cases, such as semen cryopreservation, testicular tissue, germ cell transplantation and testicular graft. However, these techniques demonstrate several methodological, clinical, and biological limitations, that impact in their results. In this scenario, reproductive medicine has sought biotechnological alternatives applied for infertility treatment, or to improve gamete preservation and thus increase reproductive rates in vitro and in vivo. One of the main approaches employed is the biomimetic testicular tissue reconstruction, which uses tissue-engineering principles and methodologies. This strategy pursues to mimic the testicular microenvironment, simulating physiological conditions. Such approach allows male gametes maintenance in culture or produce viable grafts that can be transplanted and restore reproductive functions. In this context, the application of several biomaterials have been proposed to be used in artificial biological systems. From synthetic polymers to decellularized matrixes, each biomaterial has advantages and disadvantages regarding its application in cell culture and tissue reconstruction. Therefore, the present review aims to list the progress that has been made and the continued challenges facing testicular regenerative medicine and the preservation of male reproductive capacity, based on the development of tissue bioengineering approaches for testicular tissue microenvironment reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro Gabriel do Nascimento
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Angelica Miglino
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Uchida A, Imaimatsu K, Suzuki H, Han X, Ushioda H, Uemura M, Imura-Kishi K, Hiramatsu R, Takase HM, Hirate Y, Ogura A, Kanai-Azuma M, Kudo A, Kanai Y. SOX17-positive rete testis epithelium is required for Sertoli valve formation and normal spermiogenesis in the male mouse. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7860. [PMID: 36543770 PMCID: PMC9772346 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminiferous tubules (STs) in the mammalian testes are connected to the rete testis (RT) via a Sertoli valve (SV). Spermatozoa produced in the STs are released into the tubular luminal fluid and passively transported through the SV into the RT. However, the physiological functions of the RT and SV remain unclear. Here, we identified the expression of Sox17 in RT epithelia. The SV valve was disrupted before puberty in RT-specific Sox17 conditional knockout (Sox17-cKO) male mice. This induced a backflow of RT fluid into the STs, which caused aberrant detachment of immature spermatids. RT of Sox17-cKO mice had reduced expression levels of various growth factor genes, which presumably support SV formation. When transplanted next to the Sox17+ RT, Sertoli cells of Sox17-cKO mice reconstructed the SV and supported proper spermiogenesis in the STs. This study highlights the novel and unexpected modulatory roles of the RT in SV valve formation and spermatogenesis in mouse testes, as a downstream action of Sox17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Uchida
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan ,grid.7597.c0000000094465255Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Japan
| | - Kenya Imaimatsu
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Honoka Suzuki
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Xiao Han
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroki Ushioda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Mami Uemura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Kasane Imura-Kishi
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Ryuji Hiramatsu
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Hinako M. Takase
- grid.265073.50000 0001 1014 9130Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Hirate
- grid.265073.50000 0001 1014 9130Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- grid.7597.c0000000094465255Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Japan
| | - Masami Kanai-Azuma
- grid.265073.50000 0001 1014 9130Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Akihiko Kudo
- grid.411205.30000 0000 9340 2869Department of Microscopic Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan
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Chan CJ, Hirashima T. Tissue hydraulics in reproduction. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:124-133. [PMID: 35606275 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of functional eggs and sperm are critical processes in mammalian development as they ensure successful reproduction and species propagation. While past studies have identified important genes that regulate these processes, the roles of luminal flow and fluid stress in reproductive biology remain less well understood. Here, we discuss recent evidence that support the diverse functions of luminal fluid in oogenesis, spermatogenesis and embryogenesis. We also review emerging techniques that allow for precise quantification and perturbation of tissue hydraulics in female and male reproductive systems, and propose new questions and approaches in this field. We hope this review will provide a useful resource to inspire future research in tissue hydraulics in reproductive biology and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chii Jou Chan
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Tsuyoshi Hirashima
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The Hakubi Center/Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Japan.
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Shuchat S, Yossifon G, Huleihel M. Perfusion in Organ-on-Chip Models and Its Applicability to the Replication of Spermatogenesis In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5402. [PMID: 35628214 PMCID: PMC9141186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ/organoid-on-a-chip (OoC) technologies aim to replicate aspects of the in vivo environment in vitro, at the scale of microns. Mimicking the spatial in vivo structure is important and can provide a deeper understanding of the cell-cell interactions and the mechanisms that lead to normal/abnormal function of a given organ. It is also important for disease models and drug/toxin testing. Incorporating active fluid flow in chip models enables many more possibilities. Active flow can provide physical cues, improve intercellular communication, and allow for the dynamic control of the environment, by enabling the efficient introduction of biological factors, drugs, or toxins. All of this is in addition to the fundamental role of flow in supplying nutrition and removing waste metabolites. This review presents an overview of the different types of fluid flow and how they are incorporated in various OoC models. The review then describes various methods and techniques of incorporating perfusion networks into OoC models, including self-assembly, bioprinting techniques, and utilizing sacrificial gels. The second part of the review focuses on the replication of spermatogenesis in vitro; the complex process whereby spermatogonial stem cells differentiate into mature sperm. A general overview is given of the various approaches that have been used. The few studies that incorporated microfluidics or vasculature are also described. Finally, a future perspective is given on elements from perfusion-based models that are currently used in models of other organs and can be applied to the field of in vitro spermatogenesis. For example, adopting tubular blood vessel models to mimic the morphology of the seminiferous tubules and incorporating vasculature in testis-on-a-chip models. Improving these models would improve our understanding of the process of spermatogenesis. It may also potentially provide novel therapeutic strategies for pre-pubertal cancer patients who need aggressive chemotherapy that can render them sterile, as well asfor a subset of non-obstructive azoospermic patients with maturation arrest, whose testes do not produce sperm but still contain some of the progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sholom Shuchat
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (S.S.); (G.Y.)
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (S.S.); (G.Y.)
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mahmoud Huleihel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
- The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
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