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Journal ArticleDOI

Temporal synergism of neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) affects testicular development in mice.

01 Nov 2009-Zoology (Zoology (Jena))-Vol. 112, Iss: 6, pp 461-470
TL;DR: It is concluded that normal somatic and gonadal growth of pre-puberal mice may be suppressed with an 8-hr phase relation of circadian serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations, which accelerated the rate of gonadal maturation and led to more or less similar gonadal development as in the control mice.
About: This article is published in Zoology.The article was published on 2009-11-01. It has received 19 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Dopaminergic & Serotonergic.
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data demonstrate the existence of components of a serotoninergic system in human sperm and support the notion for a functional role of 5-HT in mammalian sperm physiology, which can be modulated pharmacologically.
Abstract: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; C(10)H(12)N(2)O (5-HT)) is produced in the CNS and in some cells of peripheral tissues. In the mammalian male reproductive system, both 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) have been described in Leydig cells of the testis and in principal cells of the caput epididymis. In capacitated hamster sperm, it has been shown that 5-HT promotes the acrosomal reaction. The aim of this work was to explore the existence of components of the serotoninergic system and their relevance in human sperm physiology. We used both immunocytochemistry and western blot to detect serotoninergic markers such as 5-HT, TPH1, MAO(A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(3), and 5HT(T); HPLC for TPH enzymatic activity; Computer Assisted Semen Analysis assays to measure sperm motility parameters and pharmacological approaches to show the effect of 5-HT in sperm motility and tyrosine phosphorylation was assessed by western blot. We found the presence of serotoninergic markers (5-HT, TPH1, MAO(A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(3), 5-HT(T), and TPH enzymatic activity) in human sperm. In addition, we observed a significant increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and changes in sperm motility after 5-HT treatment. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the existence of components of a serotoninergic system in human sperm and support the notion for a functional role of 5-HT in mammalian sperm physiology, which can be modulated pharmacologically.

49 citations


Cites background from "Temporal synergism of neurotransmit..."

  • ...Daily injections of 5-HT precursor (5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)) alter reproductive development and age-dependent body weight gain in mice, accompanied by a low testosterone level and highly reduced sperm counts, motility, and viability (Sethi & Chaturvedi 2009)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that the ethanol solution extract of the roots of A. pyrethrum has androgenic potential and may improve male fertility by enhancing spermatogenesis.
Abstract: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) has been used as Vajikaran Rasayana (aphrodisiac) in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine to treat male sexual dysfunction, including infertility. Aphrodisiac activity may be due to an increase in the production or effect of androgens, so this study sought to evaluate the androgenic and spermatogenic potential of the alkylamide-rich ethanol solution extract. Male Wistar strain rats weighing between 150 and 180 g were completely randomized divided into five groups. The ethanol solution extract of A. pyrethrum was administered to groups of rats in 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses for a period of 28 days, and the action was compared with control and testosterone-treated rats. Thirteen N-alkylamides were detected in the extract by using HPLC/UV/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method. Extract administration at all the doses produced significant increase in body weight, sperm count, motility, and viability along with serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. Histoarchitecture of testis revealed increased spermatogenic activities. Seminal fructose content was also significantly increased after 28 days of treatment. Our results suggest that the ethanol solution extract of the roots of A. pyrethrum has androgenic potential and may improve male fertility by enhancing spermatogenesis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

36 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, an ethanol solution extract of A. pyrethrum was administered to groups of rats in 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses for a period of 28 days, and the action was compared with control and testosterone-treated rats.
Abstract: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) has been used as Vajikaran Rasayana (aphrodisiac) in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine to treat male sexual dysfunction, including infertility. Aphrodisiac activity may be due to an increase in the production or effect of androgens, so this study sought to evaluate the androgenic and spermatogenic potential of the alkylamide‐rich ethanol solution extract. Male Wistar strain rats weighing between 150 and 180 g were completely randomized divided into five groups. The ethanol solution extract of A. pyrethrum was administered to groups of rats in 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses for a period of 28 days, and the action was compared with control and testosterone‐treated rats. Thirteen N‐alkylamides were detected in the extract by using HPLC/UV/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method. Extract administration at all the doses produced significant increase in body weight, sperm count, motility, and viability along with serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle‐stimulating hormone concentrations. Histoarchitecture of testis revealed increased spermatogenic activities. Seminal fructose content was also significantly increased after 28 days of treatment. Our results suggest that the ethanol solution extract of the roots of A. pyrethrum has androgenic potential and may improve male fertility by enhancing spermatogenesis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

33 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings not only suggest the modulation of gonadal development in mice by changing the temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations, but also demonstrate an inverse correlation of RFRP-3 neurons and gonadal activity in both control and experimental conditions.
Abstract: In order to study the effect of the temporal synergism of neural oscillations on reproductive regulation and the response of RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3; a mammalian ortholog of avian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone), expression of immunoreactive RFRP-3 in the neurons of the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus was monitored in sexually immature and mature laboratory mice (study I). In study II, the effects of serotonin and dopamine precursors (5-hydroxytryptophan and L-dihydroxyphenylalanine; injected daily, 8 or 12 h apart, for 13 days in 3-week-old mice) on testicular activity and immunoreactive RFRP-3 neurons were studied until 24 days after treatment. Results indicate high levels of expression of immunoreactive RFRP-3 in the sexually immature and 8-hour mice (simulating gonadal suppression), while a low level was noted in mature and 12-hour mice (simulating gonadal stimulation). These findings not only suggest the modulation of gonadal development in mice (during the course of puberty attainment) by changing the temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations (as in some seasonally breeding species), but also demonstrate an inverse correlation of RFRP-3 neurons and gonadal activity in both control and experimental conditions.

23 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present findings indicate that hyperactivity of the ir-RFRP-3 neurons of dorsomedial nucleus of hypothalamus (DMH) observed in prepubertal mice declines in reproductively active mice and increases again in the old mice having declined reproductive performance.

17 citations


Cites methods from "Temporal synergism of neurotransmit..."

  • ...Seminiferous tubule diameter was determined in 10 sections per mouse testis by using the image analyzer software Motic Images 2000 version 1.3 (Sethi and Chaturvedi, 2009)....

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References
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01 Jan 1980
TL;DR: This laboratory manual consists of 2 sections which describe methods of examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction in order to standardize procedures and facilitate evaluation and comparison of research reports.
Abstract: This laboratory manual consists of 2 sections which describe methods of examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction in order to standardize procedures and facilitate evaluation and comparison of research reports The section on semen collection and examination discusses and makes recommendations for sample collection and delivery; initial examination; motility assessment estimation of sperm density; examination of particulate debris; agglutination; sperm viability; counting the spermatozoa; and analysis of morphological characteristics of germinal cells including preparation of seminal fluid smears staining method and classification and quantification of germinal cells and leucocytes Photomicrographs are provided to demonstrate morphological characteristics of normal and abnormal mature sperm immature germinal cells and leucocytes and epithelial cells Appendices provide information on frequency of various sperm forms in a normal ejaculate Papanicolaou staining procedure for sperm and the Bryan/Leishman stain for seminal fluid morphology smears A sample record for sperm analysis is also included The section on sperm-cervical mucus interaction describes the composition and characteristics of the mucus the collection procedure storage and preservation and evaluation including pH Methods of evaluating sperm-cervical mucus interaction are then described The timing and techniques of the post-coital test vaginal pool sample exocervical and low cervical samples and endocervical samples and their interpretation are discussed Instructions are provided for in vitro studies including the capillary tube test and the slide technique

2,141 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that sperm abnormalities might provide a rapid inexpensive mammalian screen for agents that lead to errors in the differentiation of spermatogenic stem cells in vivo and thus indicate agents which might prove to be mutagenic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic.
Abstract: The sperm of (C57BL X C3H)F1 mice were examined 1, 4, and 10 weeks after a subacute treatment with one of 25 chemicals at two or more dose levels. The fraction of sperm that were abnormal in shape was elevated above control values of 1.2-3.4% for methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl methanesulfonate, griseofulvin, benzo[a]pyrene, METEPA [tris(2-methyl-l-aziridinyl)phosphine oxide], THIO-TEPA [tris(l-aziridinyl)phosphine sulfide], mitomycin C, myleran, vinblastine sulphate, hydroxyurea, 3-methylcholanthrene, colchicine, actinomycin D, imuran, cyclophosphamide, 5-iododeoxyuridine, dichlorvos, aminopterin, and trimethylphosphate. Dimethylnitrosamine, urethane, DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane], 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, caffeine, and calcium cyclamate did not induce elevated levels of sperm abnormalities. The results suggest that sperm abnormalities might provide a rapid inexpensive mammalian screen for agents that lead to errors in the differentiation of spermatogenic stem cells in vivo and thus indicate agents which might prove to be mutagenic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic.

836 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results from the studies indicate that changes in the metabolism of proteins lipids and carbohydrates take place in the testes under the control of hormones, but it may be that the observed biochemical changes are a reflection of the changes in cellular composition of testicular tissue rather than the result of metabolic changes within a specific cell type in response to the effect of a hormone.
Abstract: Studies of the hormonal control of the spermatogenic process are reviewed. Most of the investigations used the techniques of ablation and replacement therapy and were performed on the rat. Results from the studies indicate that changes in the metabolism of proteins lipids and carbohydrates take place in the testes under the control of hormones. However it may be that the observed biochemical changes which occur are a reflection of the changes in cellular composition of testicular tissue rather than the result of metabolic changes within a specific cell type in response to the effect of a hormone. A hypothesis concerned with the qualitative aspects of hormonal control of spermatogenesis in the rat has been formed. It is proposed that the multiplication and growth of gonocytes prenatally and in the first few days after birth and formation of type A spermatogonia are under the control of testosterone. The formation of type A and B spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes and progression of the meiotic prophase may be influenced by growth hormone. Reduction division is under control of testosterone. The early steps of spermatid formation may be under no hormonal control or may require testosterone while the late stages of spermatid maturation require the presence of FSH.

640 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The retinal ganglion cells giving rise to retinohypothalamic projections in the rat were identified using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase or Fluoro Gold injected into the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and using transneuronal transport of the Bartha strain of the swine herpesvirus.
Abstract: The retinal ganglion cells giving rise to retinohypothalamic projections in the rat were identified using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or FluoroGold injected into the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and using transneuronal transport of the Bartha strain of the swine herpesvirus (PRV-Bartha). When PRV-Bartha is injected into one eye, it is taken up by retinal ganglion cells, replicated, transported to axon terminals in the SCN, and released. There the virus may take one, or both, of two paths to retinal ganglion cells in the contralateral eye: 1) uptake by SCN neurons, replication, and release from the neurons with uptake and retrograde transport in retinal afferents originating in the contralateral retina; 2) transneuronal passage through axo-axonic appositions between retinal afferents in the SCN with subsequent retrograde transport of virus to the contralateral retina. The ganglion cells thus labeled are a homogeneous population of small neurons (mean diameter, 12.8 +/- 2.2 microns and mean area, 81.8 +/- 21.8 microns 2) with sparsely branching dendrites that are widely distributed over the retina. This population is best identified when virus labeling of retinal projections in areas beyond the hypothalamus is eliminated by lateral geniculate lesions that transect the optic tract at its entry into the geniculate complex. The same population is labeled with retrograde tracers but, with both HRP and FluoroGold, other ganglion cells are labeled, presumably from uptake by fibers of passage, indicating that the virus is a more reliable marker for ganglion cells giving rise to retinohypothalamic projections. The ganglion cells identified correspond to a subset of type III, or W, cells.

339 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Gorm Danscher1
TL;DR: Light and electron micrographs showing silver in different organs from albino rats treated with silver lactate suggest a transport of silver over the blood-brain barrier and silver precipitates in fetal liver suggest that silver ions can penetrate the placental barrier.
Abstract: A method is described that visualizes trace amounts of silver in frozen, paraffin and epon sections from biological tissue. After exposure to light, which ensures reduction of silver ions that are not bound to sulphide, histological sections from animals treated with silver compounds are exposed to a photographic developer containing silver ions. Tissue silver acts as a catalyst for the hydroquinone reduction of silver ions to metallic silver which then accumulates at the site of the trace deposit. Light and electron micrographs showing silver in different organs from albino rats treated with silver lactate are presented. Localization of silver in motor neurons of the spinal gray matter and pons indicates a transport of silver over the blood-brain barrier. Silver precipitates in fetal liver suggest that silver ions can penetrate the placental barrier.

191 citations