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Wnuk NT, Figueiredo AFA, de Oliveira Farias T, Brener MRG, Lacerda SMDSN, Camargos VN, Amaral PH, Andrade LM, Silva MIN, Lopes RA, Szawka RE, González JC, Teixeira MM, de Souza DDG, Costa VV, Costa GMJ. Congenital Zika virus infection impacts on male mouse offspring's reproductive biology. Reproduction 2024; 167:e230343. [PMID: 38467105 DOI: 10.1530/rep-23-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
In brief Congenital ZIKV infection promotes alarming effects on male offspring's reproductive biology. This study showed the presence of the ZIKV antigen in the testis parenchyma, decreased testosterone levels, and sperm abnormalities in male offspring born to infected mothers. Abstract Infection with ZIKV during pregnancy is associated with fetal developmental problems. Although neurological issues are being explored more in experimental studies, limited research has focused on the reproductive health consequences for offspring born to infected mothers. In this context, this study aimed to assess the impact of ZIKV infection during pregnancy on the testes and sperm of adult male offspring. Female mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with a Brazil strain of ZIKV during the 5.5th day of embryonic gestation. The offspring were evaluated 12 weeks after birth to analyze cellular and molecular changes in the testes and sperm. A novel approach combining variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and machine learning modeling was also introduced for sperm sample analysis. The study revealed the presence of ZIKV protein in the testis parenchyma of adult male offspring born to infected mothers. It was shown that the testes exhibited altered steroidogenesis and inflammatory mediators, in addition to significant issues with spermiogenesis that resulted in sperm with DNA fragmentation, head defects, and protamination failure. Additionally, sperm dielectric properties and artificial intelligence showed potential for rapid identification and classification of sperm samples from infected mice. These findings provide crucial insights into the reproductive risks for men born from ZIKV-infected pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Teixeira Wnuk
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - André Felipe Almeida Figueiredo
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Talita de Oliveira Farias
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rocha Gouvêa Brener
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Vidyleison Neves Camargos
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Amaral
- Department of Physics, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lídia Maria Andrade
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Ivonete Nogueira Silva
- Department of Physics, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Roberta Araujo Lopes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Raphael Escorsim Szawka
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos González
- Department of Physics, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Danielle da Glória de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Mattos Jardim Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Figueiredo AFA, Wnuk NT, Brener MRG, Farias TO, Campolina-Silva GH, Andrade ACSP, Queiroz-Junior CM, Menezes GB, Teixeira MM, Costa VV, Costa GMJ. Acute murine-betacoronavirus infection impairs testicular steroidogenesis and the quality of sperm production. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104214. [PMID: 38508038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Although several testicular alterations promoted by coronavirus infection have been demonstrated, the extent, causes, and players of testicular pathogenesis are not totally understood. The present study aimed to investigate the short-term effects on male fertility of intranasally administered murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3), a member of the genus Betacoronavirus, which causes a severe systemic acute infection. This mouse model might be used as a in vivo prototype for investigating the impact of betacoronavirus on the endocrine and exocrine testicular functions with the advantage to be performed in a biosafety level 2 condition. Herein, we performed virological, histopathological, and molecular studies regarding the testicular spermatogenesis and the spermatic quality analyses in an MHV-3-infected C57BL/6 mice. The main outcomes showed that MHV-3 infects mouse testis and induces a testicular inflammatory state, impairing the steroidogenic pathway. The infection led to several alterations in the testicular parenchyma, such as: seminiferous epithelium sloughing, retention of residual bodies, germ cell apoptosis, alterations in intercellular junction proteins, and worse spermatogenic parameters. Moreover, the levels of plasmatic testosterone as well as the quality of sperm production reduced. Therefore, the present data suggest that the viral/inflammatory impairment of the steroidogenic pathway and the consequent imbalance of androgen levels is critical in testicular pathology, disturbing the SC barrier function and the germ cell differentiation. Our study is important for comprehending the effects of beta coronavirus infections on testis function in order to develop treatments that could prevent virus-mediated male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F A Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - N T Wnuk
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M R G Brener
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - T O Farias
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - A C S P Andrade
- CHU from Quebec Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - C M Queiroz-Junior
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G B Menezes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M M Teixeira
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Immunopharmacology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - V V Costa
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G M J Costa
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Andrade ACDSP, Campolina-Silva GH, Queiroz-Junior CM, de Oliveira LC, Lacerda LDSB, Pimenta JC, de Souza FRO, de Meira Chaves I, Passos IB, Teixeira DC, Bittencourt-Silva PG, Valadão PAC, Rossi-Oliveira L, Antunes MM, Figueiredo AFA, Wnuk NT, Temerozo JR, Ferreira AC, Cramer A, Oliveira CA, Durães-Carvalho R, Weis Arns C, Guimarães PPG, Costa GMJ, de Menezes GB, Guatimosim C, da Silva GSF, Souza TML, Barrioni BR, Pereira MDM, de Sousa LP, Teixeira MM, Costa VV. A Biosafety Level 2 Mouse Model for Studying Betacoronavirus-Induced Acute Lung Damage and Systemic Manifestations. J Virol 2021; 95:e0127621. [PMID: 34495692 PMCID: PMC8549505 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01276-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of life-threatening zoonotic diseases caused by betacoronaviruses, including the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, has highlighted the need for developing preclinical models mirroring respiratory and systemic pathophysiological manifestations seen in infected humans. Here, we showed that C57BL/6J wild-type mice intranasally inoculated with the murine betacoronavirus murine hepatitis coronavirus 3 (MHV-3) develop a robust inflammatory response leading to acute lung injuries, including alveolar edema, hemorrhage, and fibrin thrombi. Although such histopathological changes seemed to resolve as the infection advanced, they efficiently impaired respiratory function, as the infected mice displayed restricted lung distention and increased respiratory frequency and ventilation. Following respiratory manifestation, the MHV-3 infection became systemic, and a high virus burden could be detected in multiple organs along with morphological changes. The systemic manifestation of MHV-3 infection was also marked by a sharp drop in the number of circulating platelets and lymphocytes, besides the augmented concentration of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), thereby mirroring some clinical features observed in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Importantly, both respiratory and systemic changes triggered by MHV-3 infection were greatly prevented by blocking TNF signaling, either via genetic or pharmacologic approaches. In line with this, TNF blockage also diminished the infection-mediated release of proinflammatory cytokines and virus replication of human epithelial lung cells infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Collectively, results show that MHV-3 respiratory infection leads to a large range of clinical manifestations in mice and may constitute an attractive, lower-cost, biosafety level 2 (BSL2) in vivo platform for evaluating the respiratory and multiorgan involvement of betacoronavirus infections. IMPORTANCE Mouse models have long been used as valuable in vivo platforms to investigate the pathogenesis of viral infections and effective countermeasures. The natural resistance of mice to the novel betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has launched a race toward the characterization of SARS-CoV-2 infection in other animals (e.g., hamsters, cats, ferrets, bats, and monkeys), as well as adaptation of the mouse model, by modifying either the host or the virus. In the present study, we utilized a natural pathogen of mice, MHV, as a prototype to model betacoronavirus-induced acute lung injure and multiorgan involvement under biosafety level 2 conditions. We showed that C57BL/6J mice intranasally inoculated with MHV-3 develops severe disease, which includes acute lung damage and respiratory distress that precede systemic inflammation and death. Accordingly, the proposed animal model may provide a useful tool for studies regarding betacoronavirus respiratory infection and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Henrique Campolina-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Camilo de Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Jordane C Pimenta
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Ian de Meira Chaves
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ingredy Beatriz Passos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Danielle Cunha Teixeira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paloma Graziele Bittencourt-Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Rossi-Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maisa Mota Antunes
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - André Felipe Almeida Figueiredo
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Natália Teixeira Wnuk
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jairo R. Temerozo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André Costa Ferreira
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Populations (INCT/IDNP), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Pré-clínicas, Universidade Iguaçu (UNIG), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Allysson Cramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cleida Aparecida Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Clarice Weis Arns
- Laboratory of Virology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Pires Goulart Guimarães
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Mattos Jardim Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Batista de Menezes
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Glauber Santos Ferreira da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago Moreno L. Souza
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Populations (INCT/IDNP), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Breno Rocha Barrioni
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials, Federal University of Minas Gerais, School of Engineering, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marivalda de Magalhães Pereira
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials, Federal University of Minas Gerais, School of Engineering, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lirlândia Pires de Sousa
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Figueiredo AFA, Wnuk NT, Vieira CP, Gonçalves MFF, Brener MRG, Diniz AB, Antunes MM, Castro-Oliveira HM, Menezes GB, Costa GMJ. Activation of C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 modulates testicular macrophages number, steroidogenesis, and spermatogenesis progression. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 386:173-190. [PMID: 34296344 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03504-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) belongs to the CC chemokine family and acts in the recruitment of C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-positive immune cell types to inflammation sites. In testis, the MCP-1/CCR2 axis has been associated with the macrophage population's functional regulation, which presents significant functions supporting germ cell development. In this context, herein, we aimed to investigate the role of the chemokine receptor CCR2 in mice testicular environment and its impact on male sperm production. Using adult transgenic mice strain that had the CCR2 gene replaced by a red fluorescent protein gene, we showed a stage-dependent expression of CCR2 in type B spermatogonia and early primary spermatocytes. Several parameters related to sperm production were reduced in the absence of CCR2 protein, such as Sertoli cell efficiency, meiotic index, and overall yield of spermatogenesis. Daily sperm production decreased by almost 40%, and several damages in the seminiferous tubules were observed. Significant reduction in the expression of important genes related to the Sertoli cell function (Cnx43, Vim, Ocln, Spna2) and meiosis initiation (Stra8, Pcna, Prdm9, Msh5) occurred in comparison to controls. Also, the number of macrophages significantly decreased in the absence of CCR2 protein, along with a disturbance in Leydig cell steroidogenic activity. In summary, our results show that the non-activation of the MCP-1/CCR2 axis disturbs the testicular homeostasis, interfering in macrophage population, meiosis initiation, blood-testis barrier function, and androgen synthesis, leading to the malfunction of seminiferous tubules, decreased testosterone levels, defective sperm production, and lower fertility index.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F A Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - N T Wnuk
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - C P Vieira
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M F F Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M R G Brener
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - A B Diniz
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M M Antunes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - H M Castro-Oliveira
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G B Menezes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G M J Costa
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Figueiredo AFA, Hess RA, Batlouni SR, Wnuk NT, Tavares AO, Abarikwu SO, Costa GMJ, França LR. Insights into differentiation and function of the transition region between the seminiferous tubule and rete testis. Differentiation 2021; 120:36-47. [PMID: 34229995 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Seminiferous tubules physically connect to the rete testis through short segments called the transition region (TR). During fetal development, this specialized junction is considered the initial site where testis cords begin to form and to grow in length well beyond birth and into adulthood and form convoluted tubular cores. Mitotic activity of the Sertoli cell, the somatic cell of the epithelium, ceases before puberty, but modified Sertoli cells in the TR remain immature and capable of proliferation. This review presents what is known about this specialized region of the testis, with an emphasis on the morphological, molecular and physiological features, which support the hypothesis that this short region of epithelial transition serves as a specialized niche for undifferentiated Sertoli cells and spermatogonial stem cells. Also, the region is populated by an elevated number of immune cells, suggesting an important activity in monitoring and responding to any leakage of autoantigens, as sperm enter the rete testis. Several structure/function characteristics of the transition region are discussed and compared across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F A Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - S R Batlouni
- Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - N T Wnuk
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - A O Tavares
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - S O Abarikwu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - G M J Costa
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - L R França
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Figueiredo AFA, Wnuk NT, Tavares AO, Miranda JR, Hess RA, de França LR, Costa GMJ. Prepubertal PTU treatment in rat increases Sertoli cell number and sperm production. Reproduction 2020; 158:199-209. [PMID: 31163400 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The number of Sertoli cells (SCs) ultimately determines the upper limit of sperm production in the testis. Previous studies have shown that thyroid hormones (TH) receptors are abundantly expressed in developing SCs; therefore, it was highly significant to discover that transient neonatal hypothyroidism induced by the goitrogen 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) can extend SCs proliferation beyond the first 2 weeks postnatal and increase testis weight and sperm production. Further studies concluded that treatment must begin before day 8 post birth in rats. Recent studies, however, showed that SCs present in the transition region at the rete testis exhibit a more immature phenotype and have prolonged mitotic activity, which led to the hypothesis that SCs in this region will retain the capacity to respond to PTU treatment over a longer period of time. In the present study, male Wistar rats were treated with PTU from days 21 to 40 and were evaluated at 40 and 160 days of age. Similar to neonatal rat SCs, it was demonstrated that prepubertal SCs in the transition region have a high mitotic activity and are highly sensitive to TH levels. This delayed, transient hypothyroidism resulted in significantly increased testis weight, SCs number and daily sperm production. The results demonstrate for the first time that Sertoli cells showing plasticity in the transition region can be stimulated to increase proliferation and contribute to a late stage surge in testis weight and sperm output.
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Affiliation(s)
- André F A Figueiredo
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Natália Teixeira Wnuk
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanda O Tavares
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Rafael Miranda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais - UFLA, Brazil
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Luiz Renato de França
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M J Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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