Sexual dimorphism of the extraorbital lacrimal glands in SF-1 knockout mice.

Sexual dimorphism (SD) represents all the differences between males and females of the same species. SD of the murine lacrimal gland and the major effect of testosterone on its formation are well documented. Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, NR5a1) is a nuclear receptor essential for the fetal development of steroid hormones producing organs and SF-1 knockout mice (Sf-1 KO) are therefore born without gonads and adrenal glands. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SD in lacrimal glands is present in the absence of exposure to sex hormones during development. Lacrimal glands from adult Sf-1 KO male and female mice without hormonal exposure, and from males that were treated with testosterone propionate (TP) prior to sacrifice, were examined. After sacrifice, glandular tissue was processed using standard histological procedures. Paraffin sections were analysed by stereology and immunostained against the androgen receptor (AR). Our results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the mean volumes of acini, connective tissue or ductal system between males, females, and males on TP. The same pertains to the mean length of the ducts in all three groups. In the absence of sex hormones, sex chromosomes proved to be insufficient in inducing sexual dimorphism in LG. However, nuclei of the acinar cells in males on TP were positive for AR, whereas in males without TP no expression of AR was detected. Administration of TP induced the expression of AR in the nuclei of acinar cells of males but did not affect the morphology of LG. We conclude that SD in the lacrimal gland is not present in Sf-1 KO mice and this suggests that sex hormones have a major role in the development of SD in the lacrimal gland.

Flow Cytometry of Mouse and Human Adipocytes for the Analysis of Browning and Cellular Heterogeneity.

Adipocytes, once considered simple lipid-storing cells, are rapidly emerging as complex cells with many biologically diverse functions. A powerful high-throughput method for analyzing single cells is flow cytometry. Several groups have attempted to analyze and sort freshly isolated adipocytes; however, using an adipocyte-specific reporter mouse, we demonstrate that these studies fail to detect the majority of white adipocytes. We define critical settings required for adipocyte flow cytometry and provide a rigid strategy for analyzing and sorting white and brown adipocyte populations. The applicability of our protocol is shown by sorting mouse adipocytes based on size or UCP1 expression and demonstrating that a subset of human adipocytes lacks the ß2-adrenergic receptor, particularly in the insulin-resistant state. In conclusion, the present study confers key technological insights for analyzing and sorting mature adipocytes, opening up numerous downstream research applications.

Key molecules in the GABA signalling pathway are present in mouse and human cervical tissue.

Cervical mucus modulates fertility by cyclical changes of its biophysical and functional properties. Based on an analogy with bronchial goblet cells we set out to investigate the possible role of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling pathway in the mediation of oestrogen-induced mucus secretion from endocervical secretory cells. The aim of the study was to examine the existence of GABAA receptor (GABAAR), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 (GAD65/67) and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) in human and mouse cervical tissue. The mouse cervical tissue expressed GabaAR mRNA transcripts throughout the oestrous cycle. GABAAR-positive immunolabelling was present in the superficial layer of the mouse cervico-vaginal epithelium in pro-oestrus. Human cervical tissue showed the presence of GABAAR, GAD67 and VGAT mRNA transcripts and clear immunofluorescent signals of all three molecules were detected in the endocervical secretory epithelium. The results of this study confirmed that elements of the GABA signalling pathway are present in the secretory epithelium of mouse and human cervical tissue and that GABA signalling pathway could be considered a possible mediator in oestrogen regulation of mucus secretion in the endocervical glands.

Macrophages and Leydig cells in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men.

A number of studies have indicated that testicular macrophages play an important role in regulating steroidogenesis of Leydig cells and maintain homeostasis within the testis. The current paper deals with macrophages (CD68 positive cells) and Leydig cells in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods employed included histological analysis on semi- and ultrathin sections, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, and hormone analysis in the blood serum. Histological analysis pointed out certain structural changes of macrophages and Leydig cells in NOA group of patients when compared to controls. In the testis interstitium, an increased presence of CD68 positive cells has been noted. Leydig cells in NOA patients displayed a kind of a mosaic picture across the same bioptic sample: both normal and damaged Leydig cells with pronounced vacuolisation and various intensity of expression of testosterone have been observed. Stereological analysis indicated a significant increase in volume density of both CD68 positive and vacuolated Leydig cells and a positive correlation between the volume densities of these cell types. The continuous gonadotropin overstimulation of Leydig cells, together with a negative paracrine action of macrophages, could result in the damage of steroidogenesis and deficit of testosterone in situ.

A one-step real-time multiplex PCR for screening Y-chromosomal microdeletions without downstream amplicon size analysis.

BACKGROUND: Y-chromosomal microdeletions (YCMD) are one of the major genetic causes for non-obstructive azoospermia. Genetic testing for YCMD by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an established method for quick and robust screening of deletions in the AZF regions of the Y-chromosome. Multiplex PCRs have the advantage of including a control gene in every reaction and significantly reducing the number of reactions needed to screen the relevant genomic markers. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The widely established "EAA/EMQN best practice guidelines for molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions (2004)" were used as a basis for designing a real-time multiplex PCR system, in which the YCMD can simply be identified by their melting points. For this reason, some AZF primers were substituted by primers for regions in their genomic proximity, and the ZFX/ZFY control primer was exchanged by the AMELX/AMELY control primer. Furthermore, we substituted the classical SybrGreen I dye by the novel and high-performing DNA-binding dye EvaGreen™ and put substantial effort in titrating the primer combinations in respect to optimal melting peak separation and peak size. SIGNIFICANCE: With these changes, we were able to develop a platform-independent and robust real-time based multiplex PCR, which makes the need for amplicon identification by electrophoretic sizing expendable. By using an open-source system for real-time PCR analysis, we further demonstrate the applicability of automated melting point and YCMD detection.

Visualization of Reinke's crystals in normal and cryptorchid testis.

Within the human testis, Reinke's crystals are found in Leydig cells but their nature and function are poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the properties of Reinke's crystals in man with the normal morphology of the testis (control group) and infertile patients diagnosed with cryptorchidism. 20 biopsies from infertile patients and six biopsies from men with regular spermatogenesis (20-30 years.) were used. Sections of the testis tissue were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and a modified Masson's method. Specimens were observed by bright field, confocal and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The number of Reinke's crystals in investigated groups was determined applying stereological methods. In both groups, Reinke's crystals were noted within the cytoplasm and nuclei of Leydig cells. Some "free" crystals were found within the interstitial space, outside Leydig cells. Confocal microscopy proved to be very useful in the assessment of the shape and 3D reconstruction of the crystal. TEM analysis confirmed a hexagonal form of the crystal, while crystallographic data on sections of 70-300 nm thickness provided a better insight into the organization of the crystal lattice. Stereological analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of crystals in cryptorchid testes when compared with controls. Increased number of crystals in cryptorchid specimens leads to the assumption that the prolonged exposure to higher (abdominal) temperature might stimulate enzymes involved in the synthesis of the proteins of the crystal. However, the exact molecular nature of the crystal lattice remains in both normal and cryptorchid testis obscure.

[Apoptosis during embryo development]. / Apoptoza u embrionalnom razvoju.

The development of human embryo includes two essential processes, i.e., rapid mitotic activity of cells and gradual differentiation of tissues and organs. The latter process is very often characterized by extensive migration of cells from their site of origin to the site of definitive location, inductive action of the neighboring germ layers and programmed cell death (apoptosis). This paper describes examples of proliferative and apoptotic processes during the development of human embryo. The development of trilaminar germ disk, skin, gonads, central and peripheral nerve system as well as limbs provides instructive examples of how apoptosis regulates the development and differentiation of cells.