Review of Euchromadorinae (Nematoda: Chromadorida) with description of a new species of Trochamus Boucher & De Bovée, 1971 from the Sundarban, India.

Diagnostic characters for all 11 valid genera of Euchromadorinae are presented with taxonomic key on the basis of morphology of male copulatory apparatus, cuticular pattern, amphideal fovea, and buccal onchia. The key to the species of Trochamus spp. is also constructed with the description of T. timmi sp. n. from the mud-flat of Sundarban, India. The newly described species is different from other Trochamus spp. on the basis of the appearance of lateral differentiation of cuticle, long curved spicule, simple gubernaculum and the presence of pre-cloacal modification in male.

The RXFP2-PLC/PKC signaling pathway mediates INSL3-induced regulation of the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of mouse gubernacular cells.

BACKGROUND: Testicular hypoplasia can affect the sexual and reproductive ability in adulthood, and even increase the risk of cancer. Abnormal development of the gubernaculum is one of the important factors of testicular hypoplasia. Therefore, a study of the structure and function of the gubernaculum is an important but neglected new breakthrough point for investigating the normal/abnormal development of the testis. Previous findings showed that Insulin like factor 3 (INSL3) is a key factor regulating the growth of gubernaculum, however, the mechanism by which INSL3 acts on the gubernaculum remains unknown. Therefore, we probed the mechanism associated with INSL3-induced the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of gubernacular cells in mice. METHODS: A culture cell model of neonatal mice gubernaculum is established by INSL3 intervention. We blocked PLC/PKC signaling pathway with U73122 pretreat to investigate the role of the PLC/PKC signaling pathway. The changes of cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were detected by molecular biological methods. In addition, the levels of PCNA and F-action were detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that INSL3 can promote the proliferation and migration of gubernacular cells and inhibit their apoptosis, meanwhile, INSL3 significantly up-regulated PLC/PKC protein phosphorylation. However, treatment with the PLC/PKC signaling pathway inhibitor U73122 significantly inhibited these effects of INSL3. Besides, we found that INSL3 could up-regulate the protein expression level of PCNA and F-actin, while the PCNA and F-actin expression was significantly weakened after U73122 pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: This research revealed that INSL3 binding to RXFP2 may up-regulate the expression levels of PCNA and F-actin by activating the PLC/PKC signaling pathway to promote the proliferation and migration of gubernacular cells. It suggests that the RXFP2-PLC/PKC axis may serve as a novel molecular mechanism by which INSL3 regulates growth of the gubernaculum.

Three new free-living marine nematode species of Subsphaerolaimus Lorenzen, 1978, Halichoanolaimus de Man, 1886 and Belbolla Andrssy, 1973 from mangrove wetlands in Taiwan.

Three new species of free-living marine nematodes belonging to the genera Subsphaerolaimus, Halichoanolaimus and Belbolla are described from the mangrove wetlands of western Taiwan Island. Subsphaerolaimus danshuiensis sp. nov. is characterized by a body length of 13451693 m, subcephalic setae 22.565.0 m long, cervical setae 16.533.0 m long, an L-shaped spicule 66.976.4 m long, and a gubernaculum with a caudally-dorsally directed apophysis 16.423.0 m long. Halichoanolaimus sicaoensis sp. nov. is characterized by an amphidial fovea with 3.53.75 turns, a conico-cylindrical tail with the cylindrical portion approximately 3/4 of the total tail length, and 1314 not equidistant papillose precloacal supplements. Belbolla forkyspicula sp. nov. is characterized by seven oesophageal bulbs, a short tail, a spicule with a proximal fork, and two winged supplements. Differentiating characteristics of the genera Subsphaerolaimus, Halichoanolaimus and Belbolla are provided. Types are deposited in the College of Fisheries, Jimei University.

Loss of WNT4 in the gubernaculum causes unilateral cryptorchidism and fertility defects.

Undescended testis (UDT) affects 6% of male births. Despite surgical correction, some men with unilateral UDT may experience infertility with the contralateral descended testis (CDT) showing no A-dark spermatogonia. To improve our understanding of the etiology of infertility in UDT, we generated a novel murine model of left unilateral UDT. Gubernaculum-specific Wnt4 knockout (KO) mice (Wnt4-cKO) were generated using retinoic acid receptor ß2-cre mice and were found to have a smaller left-unilateral UDT. Wnt4-cKO mice with abdominal UDT had an increase in serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and an absence of germ cells in the undescended testicle. Wnt4-cKO mice with inguinal UDT had normal hormonal profiles, and 50% of these mice had no sperm in the left epididymis. Wnt4-cKO mice had fertility defects and produced 52% fewer litters and 78% fewer pups than control mice. Wnt4-cKO testes demonstrated increased expression of estrogen receptor α and SOX9, upregulation of female gonadal genes, and a decrease in male gonadal genes in both CDT and UDT. Several WNT4 variants were identified in boys with UDT. The presence of UDT and fertility defects in Wnt4-cKO mice highlights the crucial role of WNT4 in testicular development.

Imaging characteristics of the gubernaculum tracts in successional teeth related to deciduous fused teeth on computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the imaging characteristics of the gubernaculum tracts in successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth on computed tomography. The imaging findings of 15 gubernaculum tracts in successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth were retrospectively analyzed using cone-beam computed tomography or multidetector computed tomography. In cases without a congenitally defected successor, the two gubernaculum tracts of two successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth were fused into one. Gubernaculum tracts (GTs) in mesial successors were vertical, but in distal successors they were inclined to mesial. The major abnormalities of the successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth were delayed eruption and delayed formation. No inclined mesial successors were found, whereas most of the distal successors were inclined to mesial along with the inclined GT. The gubernaculum tracts of successors with a congenital defect of the other successors were vertical, and such successors had no abnormalities. The present study showed the imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts in successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth. The abnormal eruption of successional teeth related to fused deciduous teeth may be associated with the characteristics of their gubernaculum tracts.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Gubernaculum-Sparing Second-Stage Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy for Intra-Abdominal Testis: A Long-Term Study.

Background: The benefits of performing open versus laparoscopic gubernaculum-sparing second-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) remain unclear. We compared the two techniques to answer this question. Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic first-stage FSO and open versus laparoscopic gubernaculum-sparing second-stage FSO at our institution between September 2004 and June 2020 (all patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon). We evaluated both procedures based on the incidence of testicular atrophy, testicular ascent, and other complications. Results: The age at initial surgery was 45.7 ± 28.2 months (median, 39). One hundred nine cases were treated with open second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO (OFSO), and 96 cases were treated with laparoscopic second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO (LFSO). The mean follow-up period was 59.8 months (median, 54; standard deviation, +35). The overall testicular atrophy rate was 1.5%. Atrophy was observed in 2 and 1 patient in the OFSO and LFSO groups, respectively (1.8% versus 1.0%, P > .05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of testicular ascent between both groups (2.8% versus 3.1%). Five and four complications were noted in the OFSO and LFSO groups, respectively (P > .05). Conclusions: Second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO achieved high testicular survival rates and satisfactory testicular positions. Neither the open nor laparoscopic approach appeared superior, because the overall testicular survival rates and incidence of testicular ascent and other complications were equivalent between both groups.

Testicular blood supply and growth in children with high cryptorchidism treated with gubernaculum preserving vs. cutting laparoscopic orchiopexy: A pilot trial.

INTRODUCTION: It is still controversial whether the frenum of testis should be retained in laparoscopic testicular fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective experiment to study testicular preservation on testicular growth in children with high cryptorchidism. RESULTS: From January 2018 to June 2020, 120 children with high cryptorchidism in Inner Mongolia Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital and The Fourth Hospital of Baotou were randomly divided into retention group (60 cases in group P, aged 1-3 years, average 1.85 ± 0.58) and cutting group (60 cases in group C, aged 1-3 years, average 1.75 ± 0.66) (P = 0.52). PSV, EDV, RI and testicular volume were measured by color Doppler ultrasound before operation and 1,3,6,12 months after operation. No, there was significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in testicular blood supply and growth between laparoscopic testicular fixation and frenulum amputation in children with high cryptorchidism.

Imaging peculiarities of gubernaculum tracts in molars as accessional teeth on CT.

OBJECTIVES: The shapes of gubernaculum tracts (GTs) in molars as accessional teeth remain unidentified. To elucidate imaging peculiarities of GTs in molars with aging on multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using CT images, including maxillary and mandibular molars, with no abnormal findings from 239 patients. Shapes of alveolar bone, GTs, and dental sacs of the maxillary and mandibular molars were analyzed multi-sectionally. Correlations between 2- and 3-dimensional imaging figures of GTs in molars and chronological age or stage of molar formation were analyzed. RESULTS: Some forms of GTs in maxillary and mandibular third molars were observed. In the early stage, GTs were visualized as bone defect lines on the dentition and grooves on the mesial alveolar crest continuous with the dental sac to mesial tooth bud. GTs of the third molar formed a J-shape in maxillary teeth and Y-shape in mandibular teeth in the middle stage, as alveolar bone around the GT developed. In the mature stage, the course of the GT changed to straight and perpendicular. Some GT forms were also identified in first and second molars. Significant correlations were found between GT alterations and chronological age or stage of molar formation. Moreover, tracts continuing from the distal side of mandibular third molars were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes the peculiarities and process of progression for GTs in molars, and the existence of tracts continuing from the distal side of mandibular third molars, unlikely dentition with deciduous predecessors. These preliminary data should prove beneficial for studies focusing on GTs in molars.

Imaging characteristics of Gubernacular Tract on CBCT- A pictorial review.

The Gubernaculum Dentis (GD) is an anatomical structure connecting the dental follicle of the permanent tooth to the overlying gingiva. It is composed of Gubernacular cord (GCo) and a surrounding bony canal called as Gubernacular canal (GC) or Gubernacular Tract (GT). GD is a physiologic structure that has claimed to play some role in the eruption of teeth. GCo is a histologic structure, however, the surrounding GT can be identified radiographically. But due to its infinitesimal appearance, its differentiation with normal bone marrow spaces on conventional radiographs is extremely difficult and is the reason for its sporadic reference in the oral radiology literature. The advent of advanced imaging modalities such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has led to its distinct identification in the recent studies not only in the normal erupting teeth but in teeth with altered eruption pattern, impacted teeth, supernumerary teeth, odontogenic cysts and tumors as well. The identification of GT on CBCT is usually an incidental finding and because of its physiologic nature, the imaging characteristics of GT have not been studied extensively. This pictorial review aims to demonstrate the imaging characteristics of GT in diverse relations with the normal teeth, impacted teeth, supernumerary teeth, odontomas and odontogenic cysts and tumors. This will help in understanding the various presentations of GT and will serve as a teaching guide for oral and maxillofacial radiologists for their easy identification and their possible causal association with various eruptive pathologies.

Structural and functional significance of scrotal ligament: a comparative histological study.

Gubernaculum testes is the most important parameter in testicular migration. At the end of migration, it is described as scrotal ligament, which has implications in testicular torsion. The present study aims to examine the structure of scrotal ligament and compare it with gubernaculum. Sixteen adult cadaveric testicular specimens and fourteen fetal testicular specimens of different age groups were examined after getting ethical clearance from the institute ethics committee and consent from the parents. Meticulous dissection was done. The length, site of proximal, and distal attachment of scrotal ligament and gubernaculum were noted and histologically evaluated. A separate scrotal ligament could not be delineated in any adult specimens. It merged with testicular coverings. Histological examination showed the presence of patchy areas of dense collagen fibres of variable density amidst loose areolar connective tissue. In contrast, fetal specimens showed the presence of a definitive gubernaculum testes and revealed the presence of mesenchymal tissue, collagen, elastic fibres, and myocytes which varied according to gestational age of fetuses. Structure of scrotal ligament and gubernaculum testes is highly variable. Description of scrotal ligament as a firm attachment from lower pole of testes to scrotum is controversial, questioning its role as protective factor in testicular torsion.

Late ascended testes: is non-orthotopic gubernacular insertion a confirmation of an alternative embryological etiology?

INTRODUCTION: Re-ascended testes account for a proportion of all undescended testes (UDTs); one main hypothesis relating to their etiology relates to a patent processus vaginalis peritonei. The aim was to investigate gubernacular insertion points in boys with late ascended testis as a possible guide to an alternative embryological etiology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with proven ascended testes were recruited from four different pediatric urology centers between May 2016 and September 2017. All patients were evaluated regarding their gubernacular insertion during orchidopexy. The presence of accompanying patent processus vaginalis and the association between the epididymis and testis were also documented. RESULTS: Seventy-seven children (mean age = 73.1 ± 41.2 months [range 18-176]) were enrolled into the study. A non-orthotopic gubernacular insertion point was found in 96.1% (n = 74); 34.2% (n = 26) of these were located in the groin and 63.2% (n = 48), high within the scrotum. Figure A. An open processus vaginalis peritonei was found in 35.1%. Twelve patients (15.6%) had small, dysplastic appearing testis with testis-epididymis dissociation. Boys with a higher insertion of the non-orthotopic gubernaculum (n = 48, groin) were operated earlier (mean age at surgery, 62.3 months) compared with those with a gubernacular insertion at a high scrotal site (mean age at surgery, 90.5 months; p = 0.004). Figure B. DISCUSSION: This study revealed that non-orthotopic gubernacular insertion is found in the vast majority of the ascending testis cases. Patent processus vaginalis was accompanying only 35.1% of all children and might be the cause of the ascending testis in this small subgroup of patients in line with the earlier reports [1]. In boys with ascending testes, in this population, the gubernaculum was very likely to insert non-orthotopically. In concordance with previous reports [2] and regarding the finding of a an earlier age at surgery in boys with higher inserting gubernacula, this could provide a logical explanation as to how these testes are initially palpable in the scrotum and then, during body growth are retracted to the groin. CONCLUSION: In 96.1% of the patients, a non-orthotopic gubernacular insertion was found. This points to embryologic etiology, complying well with earlier reports and further underlining the critical importance of timely diagnosis and treatment for this group of patients.

Gubernaculum Testis and Cremasteric Vessel Preservation during Laparoscopic Orchiopexy for Intra-Abdominal Testes: Effect on Testicular Atrophy Rates.

PURPOSE: Gubernaculum sparing laparoscopic orchiopexy, which involves anatomical delivery of the testis through the internal inguinal ring, has been proposed as an alternative to conventional laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, maximizing collateral blood supply and potentially decreasing atrophy rates. We compared the 2 techniques to test this hypothesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary (dependent) outcome of the study was rate of testicular atrophy, which was defined as palpation of a nubbin or inability to palpate a testis (complete atrophy) on postoperative physical examination at 3 and 12 months. Doppler ultrasound was obtained routinely to further confirm the diagnosis of testicular atrophy. Independent variables that were captured were age at surgery, type of procedure (conventional laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy vs gubernaculum sparing laparoscopic orchiopexy), surgical approach (single vs 2-stage), location of intra-abdominal testis (high vs low) and patency of the internal inguinal ring. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age at surgery was 25.7 ± 13.3 months (median 22). Laparoscopy was carried out for nonpalpable testes and revealed vanishing intra-abdominal testes in 120 cases (29%), peeping testes in 80 (19%) and intra-abdominal testes in 212 (51%), with 104 being low and 108 being high in the abdomen. A single stage procedure was performed in 44 cases (21%) and a 2-stage procedure in 168 (79%). Based on surgeon preference, conventional laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was undertaken in 46 patients (22%) and gubernaculum sparing laparoscopic orchiopexy in 166 (78%). Overall testicular atrophy rate was 6.6% (14 of 212 cases). Atrophy was observed in 13 of 46 testes after conventional laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy and 1 of 166 following gubernaculum sparing laparoscopic orchiopexy (28.3% vs 0.6%, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Gubernaculum sparing laparoscopic orchiopexy is a feasible alternative to conventional laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. Our findings suggest that preservation of additional vascular supply to the testis (cremasteric vessels and deferential artery) may translate into improved testicular survival rates following laparoscopic orchiopexy.

Pseudochromadora benepapillata (Timm 1961) comb. n. (Desmodoridae: Nematoda): revision of its taxonomic status and distribution.

Metachromadora (Bradylaimoides) benepapillata, was first discovered from the coastal mangroves of Bangladesh by Timm (1961). This species was later synonymised with Pseudochromadora cazca, which was described from the Brazilian coast by Gerlach (1956). The present paper proposes to update the taxonomic status of the Timm's species as Pseudochromadora benepapillata comb. n. along with its distribution and comparative morphology. The major differences between P. cazca and P. benepapillata are found in the characteristics of the head capsule; length of cephalic sensilla; length and position of somatic setae; shape of amphideal fovea; shape of spicules and gubernaculum; number and morphology of copulatory and postcloacal thorns. The present report on the occurrence of this species along the eastern most coast of India extends its distribution from the eastern part of Bay of Bengal to its western part.

Significance and usefulness of imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts for the diagnosis of odontogenic tumors or cysts.

We aimed to determine the significance and usefulness of imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts (GT) for the diagnosis of odontogenic tumors or cysts. This was a retrospective analysis of relationships between odontogenic or non-odontogenic tumors or cysts and the GT that were visualized using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). The relationship between the size of a mass and expansion of the GT in all odontogenic tumors or cysts to which GTs were contiguous on MDCT, was statistically analyzed. Intact or expanded GTs were detected in MDCT images on the top of almost all odontogenic tumors or cysts, but not on non-odontogenic tumors or cysts. Characteristic image findings regarding the relationship between the GT and the odontogenic mass were detected for the respective odontogenic tumors or cysts in which the GTs were contiguous to the mass on MDCT. In ameloblastomas, expansion of the GTs significantly and very strongly correlated with tumor size (r = 0.741, p = 0.0001), but this correlation was very weak in dentigerous cysts (r = 0.167, p = 0.028) and there was no correlation between these parameters in odontogenic keratocysts (r = -0.089, p = 0.557). The imaging characteristics of GTs at the top of masses should be very useful for both the differential diagnosis of the pathological diagnosis of odontogenic masses and for differentiation between odontogenic and non-odontogenic masses.

Loss of RXFP2 and INSL3 genes in Afrotheria shows that testicular descent is the ancestral condition in placental mammals.

Descent of testes from a position near the kidneys into the lower abdomen or into the scrotum is an important developmental process that occurs in all placental mammals, with the exception of five afrotherian lineages. Since soft-tissue structures like testes are not preserved in the fossil record and since key parts of the placental mammal phylogeny remain controversial, it has been debated whether testicular descent is the ancestral or derived condition in placental mammals. To resolve this debate, we used genomic data of 71 mammalian species and analyzed the evolution of two key genes (relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 [RXFP2] and insulin-like 3 [INSL3]) that induce the development of the gubernaculum, the ligament that is crucial for testicular descent. We show that both RXFP2 and INSL3 are lost or nonfunctional exclusively in four afrotherians (tenrec, cape elephant shrew, cape golden mole, and manatee) that completely lack testicular descent. The presence of remnants of once functional orthologs of both genes in these afrotherian species shows that these gene losses happened after the split from the placental mammal ancestor. These "molecular vestiges" provide strong evidence that testicular descent is the ancestral condition, irrespective of persisting phylogenetic discrepancies. Furthermore, the absence of shared gene-inactivating mutations and our estimates that the loss of RXFP2 happened at different time points strongly suggest that testicular descent was lost independently in Afrotheria. Our results provide a molecular mechanism that explains the loss of testicular descent in afrotherians and, more generally, highlight how molecular vestiges can provide insights into the evolution of soft-tissue characters.

Diethylstilbestrol regulates mouse gubernaculum testis cell proliferation via PLC-Ca2+ -CREB pathway.

Recent evidence suggested a positive correlation between environmental estrogens (EEs) and high incidence of abnormalities in male urogenital system, but the mechanism remains unclear. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal synthetic estrogen that disrupts the morphology and proliferation of gubernaculum testis cells, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, mouse gubernaculum testis cells were pretreated with phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U-73122 and then treated with DES. The results demonstrated that U-73122 impaired DES-evoked intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in gubernaculum testis cells and inhibited DES-induced proliferation of gubernaculum testis cells. Mechanistically, we found that U-73122 inhibited DES-induced activation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in gubernaculum testis cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that the effects of DES on mouse gubernaculum testis cells are mediated by PLC-Ca2+ -CREB pathway. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Environmental estrogens remain a serious threat to male reproductive health, and it is important to understand the mechanism by which EEs affect the male productive system. Here we explore potential mechanisms how the proliferation and contractility of gubernaculum testis cells are regulated by diethylstilbestrol. Our findings provide the first evidence that PLC-Ca2+ -CREB signalling pathway mediates the nongenomic effects of diethylstilbestrol on gubernaculum testis cells. These findings provide new insight into the role of diethylstilbestrol in the aetiology of male reproductive dysfunction and will help develop better approaches for the prevention and therapy of male reproductive malformation.