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Simple Summary: Exposure to pesticides poses a significant threat to male fertility by compromising crucial cells involved in spermatogenesis. Although aminocarb is a widely used carbamate insecticide, little is known about its impact on male fertility and, consequently, on sustentacular Sertoli cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of increasing concentrations of aminocarb on a mouse Sertoli cell line, TM4. Assessments included analyses of cellular proliferation and viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial biogenesis and membrane potential and expression and the activity of apoptotic proteins, as well as oxidative stress. Our findings revealed a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferation and viability of TM4 cells following exposure to aminocarb. Moreover, exposure to 5 μM of aminocarb induced depolarization of mitochondria membrane potential, and a decrease in the ratio of phosphorylated eIF2α to total eIF2α, suggesting heightened endoplasmic reticulum stress via the activation of the eIF2α pathway. An elevation in both caspase-3 protein levels and activity was also observed for the cells under this same aminocarb concentration, thus indicating an apoptotic induction. Altogether, our results demonstrate that aminocarb serves as an apoptotic inducer for mouse sustentacular Sertoli cells in vitro, suggesting its potential to modulate independent pathways of the apoptotic cascade. Exposure to pesticides, poses a significant threat to male fertility by compromising crucial cells involved in spermatogenesis. Aminocarb, is a widely used carbamate insecticide, although its detrimental effects on the male reproductive system, especially on sustentacular Sertoli cells, pivotal for spermatogenesis, remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of escalating concentrations of aminocarb on a mouse Sertoli cell line, TM4. Assessments included cytotoxic analysis, mitochondrial biogenesis and membrane potential, expression of apoptotic proteins, caspase-3 activity, and oxidative stress evaluation. Our findings revealed a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferation and viability of TM4 cells following exposure to increasing concentrations of aminocarb. Notably, exposure to 5 μM of aminocarb induced depolarization of mitochondria membrane potential, and a significant decrease in the ratio of phosphorylated eIF2α to total eIF2α, suggesting heightened endoplasmic reticulum stress via the activation of the eIF2α pathway. Moreover, the same aminocarb concentration was demonstrated to increase both caspase-3 protein levels and activity, indicating an apoptotic induction. Collectively, our results demonstrate that aminocarb serves as an apoptotic inducer for mouse sustentacular Sertoli cells in vitro, suggesting its potential to modulate independent pathways of the apoptotic cascade. These findings underscore the deleterious impact of aminocarb on spermatogenic performance and male fertility, highlighting the urgent need for further investigation into its mechanisms of action and mitigation strategies to safeguard male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectin histochemistry was used to characterise glycoconjugates and cellular apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitium of hamster testis during spontaneous recrudescence. An increase in the LTA lectin affinity was observed in spermatids in the Golgi phase. An increase in labelling of PNA and Con‐A lectin in acrosome of spermatids (acrosome phase) as well as increased labelling with Con‐A in spermatids (cap phase) was observed. Spermatocytes showed decreased affinity with PNA and AAA lectins and an increase in positivity for LTA and GNA lectins. Spermatogonia showed a slight decrease in positivity to WGA and an increase in labelling with Con‐A and a decreased affinity for the AAA lectin. At the end of recrudescence, all these germinal cells showed a similar pattern to the control. The Sertoli cells showed a gradual decrease in labelling with the GNA lectin and the Leydig cells an increase in labelling with Con‐A and GNA. Particularly unusual was the observation of apoptotic spermatocytes and spermatids positive for PNA, GNA, AAA and Con‐A, together with spermatocytes positive to LTA. In conclusion, the normal lectin pattern is recovered during testis recrudescence and germ cell apoptotic activity is low, as is observed by specific lectins for germ cells in apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HSP47, a chaperone whose main function is the maturation of collagen molecules, is considered a marker of fibrotic diseases. Increased collagen synthesis in the testis has been associated with various pathologies leading to seminiferous tubule regression. Our aim was to study whether HSP47 is expressed in hamster Sertoli cells both in the adult and in two physiological situations of seminiferous tubule atrophy: irreversible testicular ageing and testicular regression due to short photoperiod (reversible). Eighteen animals were divided as follows: a group of 6 young animals aged 6 months, a group of 6 animals aged 24 months, which were exposed to a long photoperiod, and a final group of 6 young animals subjected to a short photoperiod. Testicular samples were fixed in methacarn and an immunohistochemical technique was used to detect HSP47. A semiquantitative study of of this protein expresion was performed between tubular sections of aged animals with complete spermatogenesis and arrested spermatogenesis and tubular sections with arrest spermatogenesis of photoinhibited testes. Sertoli cells were positive for HSP47, the intensity being greater in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in both aged and photoinhibited animals. Semiquantitative analysis corroborated this observation in the sense that the expression of this protein differed according to the functional state of the seminiferous tubules. Thus, the radio of immunoreactivity was significantly higher in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in aged animals compared with regressed animals, and in the latter compared with those whose tubular sections showed complete spermatogenesis. In conclusion, HSP47 expression in Sertoli cells was found for the first time in mammals. Moreover, increased expression seemed to be related to the degree of atrophy of the seminiferous epithelium and to the reversible or non-reversible physiological state of the seminiferous epithelium., (©The Author(s) 2024. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY International License.)

Transhumanism-posthumanism is a current of thought that appears closely linked to the development of technoscience and its application to man. At the same time that this current must be subject to criticism, an anthropological and ethical paradigm must be illuminated that allows accepting or not the new technoscientific advances, making a discernment between them. Such discernment should lead us to weigh the goodness of these advances, rejecting only those that represent a degradation of the human being, and accepting those that help man to be more fully man. To do this, the article proposes starting the discernment from an ethical principle such as respect for the integrity of man. Together with him, it is necessary to act with caution regarding human health, considered in relation to his psychosomatic unity. It will also be necessary to avoid deriving the ethics of the advances from the same technoscience. Finally, discernment requires, ultimately, starting from an idea about what man is, proposing the need to do so from a dual rather than dualistic conception of the human person. Based on all of the above, various ethical criteria are indicated in the work that complete the principle of respect for human integrity indicated above: respect and promote human life in all its dimensions, use of technology at the service of human beings in a controlled manner and that report social benefit or value by each technique, not only from a therapeutic perspective, but also from the improvement of the human psychosomatic unit. In conclusion, it is necessary to recognize in man the uniqueness of him as he is a bodily being who knows and loves in freedom, whose ends are not limited to material or sensible things, but which are only achievable in and from his own material condition. Consequently, any techno-scientific intervention that substantially alters his body condition is inhuman, not instead when it repairs or enhances -without abolishing them- his own qualities.

First, the mutual interiority that exists in every human action between its ethical and technical dimension is analyzed, more specifically in relation to health practice. It is established that by means of technical or ethical habits, or applying certain deliberative guidelines, alone it is not possible to discern between the goodness or not of a certain action. For this to be possible, it is necessary to adopt a personal perspective, both as regards oneself and when judging the actions of others. Secondly, then, the virtue of prudence is essential to choose the most best path in a specific context. This ethical habit is greatly influenced by the overall ethical character of the person and by their deliberative capacity and knowledge of ethical principles. With regard to the second, it is necessary to follow the usual ways by which the person makes decisions and considers a certain action as good or bad. Therefore, it cannot be pretend using technical decision-making methods health professionals will deliberate and make ethical decisions. In conclusion, it is necessary that the prudence of professionals be based both on the personal ethical character and on an analysis of ethical cases in consonance with the natural way in which human reason acts.

Lectin histochemistry was used to characterise glycoconjugates and cellular apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitium of hamster testis during spontaneous recrudescence. An increase in the LTA lectin affinity was observed in spermatids in the Golgi phase. An increase in labelling of PNA and Con-A lectin in acrosome of spermatids (acrosome phase) as well as increased labelling with Con-A in spermatids (cap phase) was observed. Spermatocytes showed decreased affinity with PNA and AAA lectins and an increase in positivity for LTA and GNA lectins. Spermatogonia showed a slight decrease in positivity to WGA and an increase in labelling with Con-A and a decreased affinity for the AAA lectin. At the end of recrudescence, all these germinal cells showed a similar pattern to the control. The Sertoli cells showed a gradual decrease in labelling with the GNA lectin and the Leydig cells an increase in labelling with Con-A and GNA. Particularly unusual was the observation of apoptotic spermatocytes and spermatids positive for PNA, GNA, AAA and Con-A, together with spermatocytes positive to LTA. In conclusion, the normal lectin pattern is recovered during testis recrudescence and germ cell apoptotic activity is low, as is observed by specific lectins for germ cells in apoptosis., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Sertoli cells, the testicular somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium, are vital for the survival of the epithelium. They undergo proliferation and apoptosis during fetal, neonatal, and prepubertal development. Apoptosis is increased in certain situations such as exposure to many substances, for example, toxics, or short photoperiod in the non-breeding season of some mammals. Therefore, it has always been considered that Sertoli cells that reach adulthood are quiescent cells, that is to say, nonproliferative, do not die, are terminally differentiated, and whose numbers remain constant. Recently, a degree of both proliferation and apoptosis has been observed in normal adult conditions, suggesting that consideration of this cell as quiescent may be subject to change. All this make it necessary to use histochemical techniques to demonstrate whether Sertoli cells are undergoing proliferation or apoptosis in histological sections and to allow the qualitative and quantitative study of these. In this chapter, we present two double-staining techniques that can be used for identifying Sertoli cells in proliferation or apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy. In both, the Sertoli cells are identified by an immunohistochemistry for vimentin followed by an immunohistochemistry for PCNA or a TUNEL histochemistry.

Lectin histochemistry is commonly used to characterize the pattern of glycoconjugates in cells and tissues. Recent studies show that alterations in these glycoconjugates are associated with the entry of cells into apoptosis. A widely used technique for the detection of apoptotic cell death is TUNEL. In this chapter, we study the sensitivity of both techniques to identify apoptotic cells in the testis of photo-inhibited Syrian hamster.

In this article, we present a review about the use of the term ″preembryo″ in the scientific literature as well as Bioethics from its origin, back in June 1979, to the end of the year 2014. We analyze their evolution along the time comparing with other terms commonly used in embryology. Also, we show the relevant journals in which this term appears, (offering the impact index within their specific field), and the authors who use it the most. The term ″preembryo″ arose in the scientific literature in 1979, remaining for about 6 years without reappearing in the scientific literature. Then, after an increase of articles, that covers the 90's decade, began to decrease its use without having disappeared altogether. Our study also shows that the use of the word ″preembryo″ has not increased with the passage of time; on the contrary, it is becoming less used in the biomedical literature. This does not occur with other terms that name the embryo before implantation, which have not ceased to increase during these years, both referring to the human species and other animal species. Finally, the term ″pre-embryo″ appears very little in journals related to the reproduction biology area, but it does so in obstetrics and gynecology, where many articles on assisted reproduction are published. Our findings suggest that, instead of replacing classical embryological terms, the word ″preembryo″ does not seem to affect the use of them. Likewise, this word has a hypertrophied use in humans without an apparent reason, which would support the artificial nature of this term. Finally, the term ″pre-embryo″ appears very little in journals of reproduction biology area, but it does so in obstetrics and gynecology, where many articles on assisted reproduction are published. In conclusion, instead of substituting classical embryological terms, the word ″pre-embryo″ does not seem to affect the use of them and in the current discussions about the human condition of the embryo this term is no longer used.

The informed consent (IC) is a process based on dialogue between the professional and the patient in which he freely decides on possible interventions in their health. This is applicable to caesarean delivery and if it meets a number of conditions will help to improve the process of ″humanization″ of birth. The overall objective of this study is to analyze preliminarily in several hospitals in the Region of Murcia the IC in caesarean delivery. To this end, we have revised the documents of IC and we studied who, where, when and how the IC process is done. The results show that all hospitals are based on the same document, and although the documents take into account all the elements of a IC, do not indicate the date of their design or subsequent revisions. It does not contemplate the risks and complications that caesarean section can have on the newborn, mother, and mother-child relationship later. It is noted that the document of IC normally is delivers by gynecologist in the consultation, when intervention is programmed, although it are sometimes nurses, who after admission to the hospital give it to sign the patient. In urgent caesarean sections, there are some hospitals that in life-threatening situation, do not offer the document of IC to women. In others, it is offered hastily by the gynecologist or midwife. In conclusion, the IC is a process which used correctly, favors the relationship between women and health professionals in the intervention of cesarean section. Although this process and the documents of IC examined in our study, have presented many positive aspects, the humanization of caesarean could be increased improving with the preparation and updating of these documents and coordinating the various professionals.

In this article a brief history of the journal ″Cuadernos de Bioética″ is made, a general analysis of the published works in the diverse journal sections is realized. The last changes in it over recent years are also indicated. The article ends with some considerations on the recent history of the magazine and stating some of the lines of improvement that has raised the current editorial board for the next years.

For years there are different types of criticism about principialist bioethics. One alternative that has been proposed is to introduce empirical evidence within the bioethical discourse to make it less formal, less theoretical and closer to reality. In this paper we analyze first in synthetic form diverse alternative proposals to make an empirical bioethics. Some of them are strongly naturalistic while others aim to provide empirical data only for correct or improve bioethical work. Most of them are not shown in favor of maintaining a complete separation between facts and values, between what is and what ought to be. With different nuances these proposals of moderate naturalism make ethical judgments depend normative social opinion resulting into a certain social naturalism. Against these proposals we think to make a bioethics in that relates the empirical facts with ethical duties, we must rediscover empirical reality of human action. Only from it and, in particular, from the activity of discernment that makes practical reason, when judged on the object of his action, it is possible to integrate the mere descriptive facts with ethical judgments of character prescriptive. In conclusion we think that it is not possible to perform bioethics a mode of empirical science, as this would be contrary to natural reason, leading to a sort of scientific reductionism. At the same time we believe that empirical data are important in the development of bioethics and to enhance and improve the innate ability of human reason to discern good. From this discernment could develop a bioethics from the perspective of ethical agents themselves, avoiding the extremes of an excessive normative rationalism, accepting empirical data and not falling into a simple pragmatism.

In this article we analyze how the idea of virtue as an important element of human ethical action is slowly being lost. There are proposals both in ethics and in bioethics to rehabilitate virtue and to consider it as a very important element of human morality. In particular, in the health sector the rehabilitation of virtue, would imply greater focus on the ethical character of professionals and personal improvement rather than on training for the resolution of ethical cases. Such guidance would also improve the health professional-patient relationship with an increase not only in the technical quality but also in human dimension of health sciences. However, this orientation or tendency in bioethics suffers from a deficit in reasoning due to lack of a complete theory of human action that covers the good and also norms. The second part of the article looks at the relation between of virtue and personalistic bioethics. Virtue is considered as an important element of human action and is integrated with the good and norms. After analyzing and distinguishing between what is today considered personalistic bioethics and the contributions of personalism to bioethics, the paper concludes that the integration of virtue in personalistic bioethics is not only possible but desirable to overcome the ethical minimalism that has resulted from modern day principlism driven bioethics.

This article is a study of the historical aspects that gave rise to the term 'preembryo'. We look at how the appearance of this term was related with attempts to justify ethical aspects associated with the destruction of embryos in the context of in vitro fecundation. The first scientific article found using this term was written by Clifford Grobstein in 1979 and not, as many people think, the Warnock report in 1984, although the term was used decisively in the British parliament between 1984 and 1990, culminating in the parliamentary approval of human embryos for research purposes. In the United States, the term was promoted by the Ethical Committee of the American Fertility Society in 1986. However, the term hardly appears in recent reports. In scientific and bioethical literature there has been a gradual decrease in the frequency with which it is used. It seems that the word 'preembryo' reflected a new metabiological concept coined to provide a basis for apparently scientific data in an attempt to avoid ethical aspects related with the destruction of human embryos in the absence of any unconditional respect towards the same. Once this goal had been achieved, the term was gradually abandoned.