Epithelium-derived 6-nitrodopamine modulates noradrenaline-induced contractions in human seminal vesicles.

AIMS: To evaluate the basal release of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) from human isolated seminal vesicles (HISV) and to characterize its action and origin. MAIN METHODS: Left HISV obtained from patients undergoing prostatectomy surgery was suspended in a 3-mL organ bath containing warmed (37 °C) and gassed (95%O2:5%CO2) Krebs-Henseleit's solution (KHS) with ascorbic acid. An aliquot of 2 mL of the supernatant was used to quantify catecholamines by LC-MS/MS. For functional studies, concentration-responses curves to catecholamines were obtained, and pEC50 and Emax values were calculated. Detection of tyrosine hydroxylase and S100 protein were also carried out by both immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization assays (FISH). KEY FINDINGS: Basal release of 6-ND was higher than the other catecholamines (14.76 ± 14.54, 4.99 ± 6.92, 3.72 ± 4.35 and 5.13 ± 5.76 nM for 6-ND, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, respectively). In contrast to the other catecholamines, the basal release of 6-ND was not affected by the sodium current (Nav) channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin (1 µM; 10.4 ± 8.9 and 10.4 ± 7.9 nM, before and after tetrodotoxin, respectively). All the catecholamines produced concentration-dependent HISV contractions (pEC50 4.1 ± 0.2, 4.9 ± 0.3, 5.0 ± 0.3, and 3.9 ± 0.8 for 6-ND, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, respectively), but 6-ND was 10-times less potent than noradrenaline and adrenaline. However, preincubation with very low concentration of 6-ND (10-8 M, 30 min) produced significant leftward shifts of the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline. Immunohistochemical and FISH assays identified tyrosine hydroxylase in tissue epithelium of HISV strips. SIGNIFICANCE: Epithelium-derived 6-ND is the major catecholamine released from human isolated seminal vesicles and that modulates smooth muscle contractility by potentiating noradrenaline-induced contractions.

Neurokinin B Administration Induces Dose Dependent Proliferation of Seminal Vesicles in Adult Rats.

BACKGROUND: Neurokinin B; an endogenous decapeptide, mediates its reproductive physiological actions through gonadotropin releasing hormone. Despite the potential role of Neurokinin B on seminal vesicles, its effects on seminal vesicles in adult male mammals remain elusive. We aimed to investigate the potentials of variable doses of Neurokinin B, its agonist and antagonist on histomorphology and expression of NK3R on seminal vesicles, and secretory activity of seminal vesicles in adult male rats. METHODS: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n=10 in each group) were administered intraperitoneally with Neurokinin B in three variable doses: 1 µg, 1 ηg and 10 ρg while, Senktide (Neurokinin B agonist) and SB222200 (Neurokinin B antagonist) in 1 µg doses consecutively for 12 days. After 12 days of peptide treatment, half of the animals (n=05) in each group were sacrificed while remaining half (n=05) were kept for another 12 days without any treatment to investigate treatment reversal. Seminal vesicles were dissected and excised tissue was processed for light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and estimation of seminal fructose levels. RESULTS: Treatment with Neurokinin B and Senktide significantly increased while SB222200 slightly decrease the seminal vesicles weight, epithelial height and seminal fructose levels as compared to control. Light microscopy revealed increased epithelial height and epithelial folding as compared to control in all Neurokinin B and Senktide treated groups while decreased in SB222200. Effects of various doses of Neurokinin B, Senktide and SB222200 on seminal vesicles weight, epithelial height, seminal fructose levels and histomorphology were reversed when rats were maintained without treatments. Immuno-expression of Neurokinin B shows no change in treatment and reversal groups. CONCLUSION: Continuous administration of Neurokinin B and Senktide effect positively while SB222200 have detrimental effects on cellular morphology, epithelial height and seminal fructose levels in seminal vesicles. Effects of peptide treatments depicted a reversal towards control group when rats were kept without any treatment.

Mating with seminal vesicle-excised male can affect the uterus phospholipid fatty-acids composition during implantation in an experimental mouse model

ABSTRACT Purpose No comprehensive information is available about uterus fatty acid (FA) change during implantation period and possible effects of the seminal vesicle secretion on it. Materials and Methods In this study, we evaluated FA composition of uterus phospholipids during the implantation period in intact and seminal vesicle-excised (SVX) mated female mice. Forty NMRI female mice were divided into control (mated with intact male) and seminal vesicle excised (SVX)-mated (mated with SVX-male) groups. The phospholipid fatty acids composition was monitored during the first five days of pregnancy using gas chromatography and also implantation rate was evaluated on fifth day of pregnancy. Results We found that levels of linoleic acid (LNA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) showed a decreasing trend from the first to the third day of pregnancy and then started to increase on the fourth day and peaked on the fifth day. In contrast, the level of saturated FA (SFA) increased on the second and third day of pregnancy compared to the first (p<0.05) and then decreased on the fourth and fifth. We also found that the seminal vesicle secretion could affect the levels of LNA, ARA, SFA, and PUFA in uterine phospholipids especially on second and third day. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between ARA level and implantation rate in control but not SVX-mated groups. Conclusions It can be concluded that several uterus FA that have important roles in early pregnancy could be affected by seminal vesicle secretion.

Effect of Flutamide in Mouse Spermatogenesis and on the Function of Seminal Vesicle and Prostate

RESUMEN: La espermatogénesis está regulada por el eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-gónada, y los andrógenos juegan un rol fundamental en sus últimas etapas. La administración del antiandrógeno flutamida interfiere con ella y con la función de órganos andrógeno dependientes (próstata (P) y vesícula seminal (VS)). En este estudio se inyectó flutamida (10 mg/Kg peso corporal) a 10 ratones y vehículo al control(n=6). Los ratones se sacrificaron a las 24(n=5) y 72(n=5) horas. En cortes de testículo se midió el diámetro del túbulo (TD) y la altura del epitelio (EH). P y VS se maceraron, y se determinaron las concentraciones de fructosa (VS) y zinc (P). No existe diferencia significativa en el TD entre los grupos. Sin embargo, el grupo de 72 h presenta menor EH respecto al control (p<0.01). La fructosa es menor sólo a las 72 h (p<0.01), intervalo en el cual se presenta la mayor concentración de zinc (p<0.01). La disminución de la EH se explicaría por el desprendimiento de las espermátidas elongadas, debido al bloqueo del efecto de la testosterona, sin reflejarse en el TD a intervalo corto. La disminución de fructosa refleja claramente la deprivación de andrógenos, en tanto que la concentración prostática aumentada a 72 hrs sugiere deficiencia en la secreción de zinc.

Polyamines in the male reproductive system

This review covers some common aspects of the biosynthesis, interconversion pathways and biochemical functions of polyamines. A particular emphasis is given in experitemtal models as well as humans, to their presence in the male gonad, postate gland, seminal vesicles, epididymis and semen. The interaction between hormones (androgens, LH, FSH and PRL) and the main enzymes involved on the polymine biosynthesis, and the relationship of these compounds on cell growth and differentation, are also discussed. In this regard, an attention is offered to the potential role of polymines during early spermatogenesis stages and the use of some enzymed involved in their biosynthesis as sensitive and specific markers of the action of androgens and antiandrogens in the epididymis. Finally, a special issue is addressed to the controversial information documented on polymines, their oxidation products and the relationship with male fertility.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on prepubertal rat testis

The testes of prepubertal male rats (N -12) aged 21 days were stimulated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (1.5-MHz frequency, 1-KHz repetion pulse rate, 200-*s pulse width, 30-V peak-to-peak amplitude and 20-mW/cm* intensity) applied to the skin for 20 min/day for 7 days. Control rats (N-8) were manipulated in the same manner but not submitted to ultrasound. Ultrasound stimulation promoted a significant increase in plasma testosterone (62%) leading to a significant increase in seminal vesicle relative weight (35%) as well as an increase in the fructose (92%) and DNA (200%) contents of the gland. No differences were detected between ultrasound-treated and control animals, in terms of body weight and the relative weights of testis, cauda epididymidis, testis DNA and mitosis