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Contents The testicular interstitium of Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus) was studied during ageing and in testicular regression after exposure to a short photoperiod, in relation to the interstitial cells and their connective tissue. This tissue was assessed histochemically using Masson's trichrome technique and the expression of Heat Shock Protein 47 ( HSP-47) and collagen IV ( α5) was assessed in Leydig cells. Finally, an ultrastructural analysis of some cells of the testicular interstitium was made. Leydig cells were positive for HSP-47 and collagen IV ( α5). Ageing did not change the parameters studied while the short photoperiod altered the synthetic activity of Leydig cells. The positivity index of these cells for HSP-47 was significantly higher in the regressed testis, but was lower for collagen IV ( α5). During ageing no change were observed. Ultrastructural Leydig cells showed a discontinuous basal lamina that did not change during ageing. The basal lamina was not identified in Leydig cells regressed by exposure to a short photoperiod. In conclusion; the intertubular connective tissue suffers little change with age. By contrast, in the testis regressed after exposure to a short photoperiod the studied parameters related to the intertubular connective tissue were altered. These changes are probably related with the low synthetic activity of regressed Leydig cell. [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.)

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.

There is increasing interest in understanding the tissue biology of human amniotic membrane (hAM) given its applications in medicine. One cellular component is mesenchymal cells, which can be extracted, cultured and differentiated " in vitro " into various cell types. These studies show that there is heterogeneity among mesenchymal cells. The aim of this work is to study the membrane in situ to determine whether this cellular heterogeneity exists. The hAMs were obtained from caesarean deliveries at term and analyzed by histological techniques. Types I-III mesenchymal cells and Hofbauer were distinguished by light microscopy. Histochemically, mesenchymal cell types showed successively increasing positivity to: PAS, vimentin, fibronectin, and Concanavalin-A; VGEF, TGF-β2, PDGF-C, FGF-2. By the semiquantitative point of view, the percentage of Type II cells was 60%, significantly higher than the other types. With transmission electron microscopy, an intermediate cell type between II-III was observed. Strong vesiculation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) with exocytosis was observed. In addition, an accumulation of a similar material to the extracellular matrix in the RER caused its dilation especially in type III TEM cells. Some of this material acquired a globular structure. These structures were also found free in the extracellular matrix. In conclusion, the mesenchymal cells of the fibroblastic layer of the hAMs studied are heterogeneous, with some undifferentiated and others with a probably senescent fibroblastic phenotype with accumulation in their RER of fibronectin. These results may be of interest to extract mesenchymal cells from hAMs for use in regenerative medicine and to better understand the mechanisms of fetal membrane rupture., (©The Author(s) 2024. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY International License.)

Introduction: Pig seminal plasma (SP) is rich in active forms of all three isoforms (1-3) of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), a chemokine modulatory of the immune environment in the female genital tract once semen is delivered during mating or artificial insemination (AI). The present study aimed to examine how TGF-βs are secreted by the epithelium of the male reproductive tract and how they are transported in semen, emphasizing the interplay with seminal extracellular vesicles (sEVs)., Methods: Source of TGF-βs was examined by immunohistochemistry in testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands, by immunocytochemistry in ejaculated spermatozoa, and by Luminex xMAP ® technology in SP and sEVs retrieved from healthy, fertile male pigs used as breeders in AI programs., Results: All three TGF-β isoforms were expressed in all reproductive tissues explored and would be released into ductal lumen either in soluble form or associated with sEVs. Ejaculated spermatozoa expressed all three TGF-β isoforms, both inside and outside, probably the outer one associated with membrane-bound sEVs. The results confirmed that pig SP contains all three TGF-β isoforms and demonstrated that a substantial portion of them is associated with sEVs., Discussion: Seminal EVs would be involved in the cellular secretion of the active forms of seminal TGF-β isoforms and in their safe transport from the male to the female reproductive tract., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Padilla, Barranco, Martínez-Hernández, Parra, Parrilla, Pastor, Rodriguez-Martinez, Lucas and Roca.)

Testicular regression occurs during the non-breeding season in many mammals. This affects spermatogenesis, resulting in decreased or arrested activity. Both lead to a decrease or cessation in sperm production. In recent years, the cellular mechanisms that lead to infertility in males in non-reproductive periods have been studied in very different species of mammals. At the start of the present century, the main mechanism involved was considered as an increase in the apoptotic activity of germ cells during the regression period. The loss of spermatogonia and spermatocytes causes not only a decrease in spermatogenesis, but an arrest of the seminiferous epithelium activity at the end of regression. Recently, in some mammal species, it was found that apoptosis is the usual mechanism involved in epithelium activity arrest, although it is firstly atrophied by massive desquamation of the germ cells that are released from their binding with the Sertoli cells, and which are shed into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. In other species, it has been shown that not only germ cell apoptosis, but also Sertoli cell apoptosis, including decreased proliferative activity, spermatophagy or autophagy, are involved in testicular regression. Furthermore, the most recent studies indicate that there are multiple patterns of seminiferous epithelium regression in seasonally breeding animals, which may not only be used by different species, but also by the same ones to reproduce in the best conditions, ensuring their survival. In conclusion, at this time, it is not possible to consider the existence of a paradigmatic cellular mechanism in the involution of the seminiferous epithelium applicable to all male mammals with seasonal reproduction, rather the existence of several mechanisms which participate to a greater or lesser extent in each of the species that have been studied to date.

Background: The passing of the years is marked by intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic aging, caused by photoaging, which is characterized by a decrease in collagen and the deposition of abnormal elastic fibers in the dermis. The use of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) increases fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, accompanied by collagen synthesis and a subsequent increase in connective tissue, and it is not known whether the biological effects of this type of radiofrequency on the dermis are similar regardless of the age of the individual or whether such effects are altered by the aging process itself., Aims: The objective was to perform a histological study of the changes in the tail dermis of young and old rats after submitting them to bipolar RF, to determine cell proliferation and volume of connective tissue., Methods: One part of the rat tail was fixed in formol and processed for light microscopy and another part processed for electron microscopy., Results: The number of fibroblasts/unit area and cells positive to nuclear proliferation antigen was higher in young animals. Significant differences were observed regarding expression of HSP-47 protein, and the value was always lower in old rats. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of connective tissue. No histological alterations were observed in any rats., Conclusion: Treatment with RF increased the number of fibroblasts located in the connective tissue of the young rats. In addition, the effect of a single treatment on the population of fibroblasts in young animals was sufficient to activate the synthesis of new collagen., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

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.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine identified in boar seminal plasma (SP) but until now unexplored in terms of place of production and its association to spermatozoa. This study aimed to explore these aspects by evaluating the presence of GM-CSF in porcine reproductive organs (testes, epididymis and accessory sex glands), SP and mature spermatozoa (from cauda epididymis and ejaculated) using Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Positive labelling was obtained in tissues, SP and spermatozoa. In reproductive organs, WB revealed three forms of GM-CSF with different glycosylation degrees (15, 31 and 40 kDa). In SP and epididymal fluid, the GM-CSF appeared only in its active form while in spermatozoa the GM-CSF form present varied among sperm sources. Non-viable spermatozoa showed more GM-CSF than viable spermatozoa (14.87 ± 1.98 RU vs. 7.25 ± 0.52 RU) of fluorescence intensity. In conclusion, GM-CSF is widely present in the reproductive tract of male pigs, attached to the spermatozoa already in the epididymis as well as verted to SP. Consequently, the GM-CSF ought to regulate male genital tract and sperm function as well as mediating initial inflammatory responses and further mediating later immune actions by the female to semen deposition.

The Sertoli cell (Sc) has been described as a quiescent cell once the animal has reached sexual maturity. Syrian hamster is an animal that displays testicular regression due to short photoperiod, during which process germ cells and Sc are removed through apoptosis. The aim of this work was to investigate histochemically whether the spontaneous testicular recrudescence processes after exposure to a short photoperiod lead to an increase in Sc proliferative activity in order to restore the normal population. Three spontaneous recrudescence groups were established: initial (IR), advanced (AR), and total (TR) recrudescence, which were compared with animal undergoing the regression process (mild: MRg, strong: SRg, and total: TRg) and animals in long photoperiod (Controls). Histological sections were submitted to histochemical techniques for detecting apoptotic and proliferative Sc with bright-field and fluorescence microscopy. For each group, the proliferative Sc index (PScI) and apoptotic Sc index (AScI), and the total number of Sc were obtained. The results revealed the existence of Vimentin+/TUNEL+ as well as Vimentin+/PCNA+ cells. The PScI was significantly higher in TRg and IR than in the other groups. The AScI was only significantly higher in MRg and SRg with respect to the other groups. The total number of Sc increased among TRg, IR, and AR, reaching values similar to those of the Controls. In conclusion, the increase in Sc proliferation from final regression and recrudescence, accompanied by a similar rate of apoptosis to the Control group, is the cause of the restoration of the Sc population during spontaneous recrudescence., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

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.)

Syrian hamsters are photoperiodic rodents in which reproduction, including testicular function, is stimulated by long photoperiod exposure and curtailed by exposure to a short photoperiod. The objectives of this study were to characterize the testis histomorphometrically and to determine the role of the proliferation and apoptosis phenomena in the recovery of the seminiferous epithelium during spontaneous recrudescence after exposure to short photoperiod. The study was performed using conventional light microscopy, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling staining, image analysis software, and transmission electron microscopy in three recrudescence groups: initial recrudescence (IR), advanced recrudescence (AR) and total recrudescence (TR). The results morphometrically pointed to the gradual recovery of the testicular and tubular volumes, as well as of the seminiferous epithelium. Among the IR and AR groups, the increase in testicular and tubular volumes was accompanied by an increase in tubular diameter and length, with an increase in interstitial volume. From AR to TR, there was an increase in the tubular and total volumes, but, in this case, with a gradual increase in tubular diameter. Recovery of the seminiferous epithelium was accompanied by changes in apoptosis and proliferation activities. The first decreased halfway through the process, and the second remained higher than the control levels throughout the recrudescence stage. Alterations in the spermatozoa were ultrastructurally observed, which indicated that spermiogenesis was not yet completely normal. In conclusion, spontaneous testicular recrudescence in Syrian hamster comprises two histomorphometrical phases: the first related to an increase in tubular length and diameter and interstitial volume and the second depending principally on the gradual increase in tubular diameter. The restoration of the seminiferous epithelium is due to apoptosis reaching normal values in the AR group accompanied by higher proliferative activity than that observed in the Control group., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes that occur in hamster Leydig cells during regression. Animals were divided into control, mild regression (MR), strong regression (SR) and total regression (TR) groups. Leydig cells were characterised by light and electron microscopy. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies were used to detect apoptosis and proliferation respectively. Three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) could be differentiated. Type A cells were small in size compared with Leydig cells from animals exposed to a long photoperiod, which was a result of a decreased cytoplasm and nucleus. Type B cells were even smaller than Type A cells in regression groups. Type C exhibited cytoplasm vacuolisation. The percentage of Type C cells from the control group was much lower than in the MR, SR and TR groups. (P<0.05). In the SR and TR groups, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of Type B cells compared with the control and MR groups (P<0.05). The total number of Leydig cells decreased during testicular regression (P<0.05). The total number of Type A and B cells was significantly lower in the MR, SR and TR groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the proliferation and apoptosis index in the groups studied. The findings of the present study indicate that there are three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) in all hamsters studied and that regression causes an increase in the number of Type C cells, so that the reduction in the number Leydig cells during the phases of regression studied must be the result of necrosis and/or necroptosis.

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.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cellular changes that occur in the hamster testicular interstitium in two very different physiological situations involving testicular involution: ageing and exposure to a short photoperiod. The animals were divided into an 'age group' with three subgroups - young, adult and old animals - and a 'regressed group' with animals subjected to a short photoperiod. The testicular interstitium was characterised by light and electron microscopy. Interstitial cells were studied histochemically with regard to their proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling (TUNEL+) and testosterone synthetic activity. We identified two types of Leydig cell: Type A cells showed a normal morphology, while Type B cells appeared necrotic. With ageing, pericyte proliferation decreased but there was no variation in the index of TUNEL-positive Leydig cells. In the regressed group, pericyte proliferation was greater and TUNEL-positive cells were not observed in the interstitium. The testicular interstitium suffered few ultrastructural changes during ageing and necrotic Leydig cells were observed. In contrast, an ultrastructural involution of Leydig cells with no necrosis was observed in the regressed group. In conclusion, the testicular interstitium of Mesocricetus auratus showed different cellular changes in the two groups (age and regressed), probably due to the irreversible nature of ageing and the reversible character of changes induced by short photoperiod.

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.

During the non-breeding season some animals exhibit testicular atrophy, decreased testicular weight and reduced seminiferous tubule diameter accompanied by depletion of the seminiferous epithelium. Some cellular factors involved in this depletion are changes in germ cell proliferation and apoptosis. In the Syrian hamster this depletion has been studied histologically and in terms of the involvement of proliferation and apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium of fully regressed testes. The objectives of this study included the histomorphometrical characterization of the testis and the determination of the proliferative and apoptotic activity of germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium during testicular regression owing to short photoperiod. The study was performed using conventional light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin), proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling staining, image analysis software, and transmission electron microscopy in three established regression groups: mild regression (MR), strong regression (SR), and total regression (TR). Morphometrically a gradual decrease in total tubular area and in the testicular, tubular, and epithelial volumes was observed during testicular regression. Interstitial and luminal volumes decreased from the MR group onwards. The tubular length decreased from MR to SR. As regards spermatogonial proliferation, only an initial decrease in proliferative activity was observed, whereas apoptotic germ cell activity increased throughout regression. The number of germ cells studied decreased throughout the process of testicular regression. In conclusion, testicular regression in Syrian hamster comprises two histomorphometrical phases, the first involving a decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter and volume and the second involving shortening of the seminiferous tubule and a decrease in interstitial volume. At the cellular level, there is an initial decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptosis involving all germ cells. At the end of regression, the proliferative and apoptotic activities of the spermatogonia recover the values observed prior to regression in preparation for recrudescence., (© 2015 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)

There are various authors who, within the realm of bioethics, propose as a model of the human being, a man who is enhanced, transhuman or even posthuman. The philosophical roots of these bioethical thinkers have not been sufficiently analysed. In this article our aim is to demonstrate the connection of this movement with the evolution of philosophy over the past several decades. Therefore, and keeping in mind that the transhumanist-posthumanist proposals appeared in the last decades of the 20th century, a time when important philosophical change was afoot, with a movement from the modern age to the postmodern, we begin our article by identifying the philosophical characteristics of both periods, as well as the relationship that exists between them. We will analyse synthetically the conception of the human being, of ethics and of empirical science in both periods, coming to the conclusion that the postmodern era is the result of the radicalization of ideas that were already latent in modernity. Afterwards, and following a brief summary of the postulates of transhumanism-posthumanism, we study the links that this current of thought has with modern and postmodern perspectives regarding the human person, ethics and technoscientific activity. We conclude that even though transhumanist-posthumanist thought has roots in modernity, its objectives and their theoretical bases reveal a strong dependence on postmodern thought. And further, since this latter current of thought is, at base, antihumanist it is logical that transhumanism-posthumanism, influenced by postmodernity, would reveal a strong tendency not merely to negate what the human being is, but even to forget what it is out of a desire to construct something different from the human in the future.

The ageing testis is associated with germ loss in the seminiferous epithelium and a decrease in spermatogonia proliferation. In this work, we study whether the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and/or the degree of histological tubular degeneration resulting from ageing is related with this decrease in spermatogonia proliferation. Eleven hamsters were used, five aged 6 months and six aged 24 months. In both groups, the proliferative activity was studied by BrdU immunostaining. The number of BrdU-positive and BrdU-negative cells was measured, providing the overall proliferation index in adult and aged testes. The mean number of BrdU-positive cells was also determined for each degree of histological degeneration of seminiferous epithelium, and a spermatogonia proliferation index was obtained for each stage of the seminiferous cycle. Ageing caused an overall decrease in the BrdU-positive cell percentage and a decrease in the number of BrdU-positive cells in the tubular sections with hypospermatogenesis, the sloughing of germ cells and maturation arrest, these changes being similar in both young and old animals. The spermatogonia proliferation index was only seen to be significantly lower in ageing hamster in stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. In conclusion, the overall decrease in proliferation observed in aged seminiferous epithelium is correlated with an increase in the number of degenerated sections of the seminiferous tubules, and this decrease is a phenomenon which occurs in specific stages of the seminiferous cycle., (© 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

In the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), an animal that displays testicular regression due to short photoperiod, germ cells are removed by apoptosis during this process and the apoptotic remains are phagocytized by Sertoli cells. The aim of this work was to investigate morphologically whether the testicular regression process due to short photoperiod leads to the apoptosis of Sertoli cells, and whether, during testicular regression, the elongated spermatids are eliminated through phagocytosis by Sertoli cells. To this end, we studied testis sections during testicular regression in Syrian hamster subjected to short photoperiod by means of several morphological techniques using conventional light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], semi-thin section vimentin, immunohistochemistry, SBA lectin, and TUNEL staining), fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). H&E and semi-thin sections identified Sertoli cells with a degenerated morphology. Greater portion of Sertoli cells that were positive for TUNEL staining were observed especially during the mild regression (MR) and strong regression (SR) phases. In addition, TEM identified the characteristic apoptotic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Moreover, during testicular regression and using light microscopy, some elongated spermatids were seen in basal position next to the Sertoli cell nucleus. This Sertoli phagocytic activity was higher in MR and SR phases. TEM confirmed this to be the result of the phagocytic activity of Sertoli cells. In conclusion, during testicular regression in Syrian hamster due to short photoperiod, when germ cells are known to be lost through apoptosis, there is morphological evidences that Sertoli cells are also lost through apoptosis, while some elongated spermatids are phagocytized and eliminated by the Sertoli cells., (© 2014 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.)

It is important to understand the proliferative activity of the different structures of the male reproductive apparatus in livestock species, such as Sus domesticus, to ensure reproductive efficiency. The main aims of this study were (a) to evaluate the proliferative activity of the spermatogonia in the different stages of the seminiferous cycle and (b) to study the cell proliferation in the epididymal epithelium in each region, identifying the different cells involved. For this, the testes and epididymis of three healthy, sexually mature Sus domesticus boars were used. The organs were processed for light microscopy, and immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The cells immunostaining positively and negatively for proliferating cell nuclear antigen were counted and several parameters and indexes were calculated to evaluate the proliferation in both epithelia, taking into account the stage of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, and, in the case of the epididymal epithelium, the different regions and cells are the same. Finally, a contrast analysis of equality between pairs of means was carried out followed by a least significant differences test, in which differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. In the seminiferous epithelium, the greatest total number of spermatogonia and proliferating spermatogonia was observed in the postmeiotic stages (mainly VII and VIII). The proliferation index of the spermatogonia increased from the meiotic to postmeiotic stages. As regards the epididymal epithelium, the total proliferation index was higher in the caput. In each region, the clear and principal cells showed the highest proliferation index with respect to the total number of cells counted, whereas the proliferation index of each cell with respect to the same type was higher in the clear cells, followed by the narrow and principal cells. In conclusion, the proliferative activity of spermatogonia in the seminiferous epithelium of Sus domesticus is stage-dependent, and mainly occurs in the postmeiotic stages. In the epididymal epithelium, proliferative activity takes place in several cell types and is dependent on the anatomical region of the epididymis. We think that these results may be of importance for understanding the pathologic or reproductive processes in which cell proliferation is involved in the male reproductive system., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

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.

Radiofrequency (RF) has been included in the techniques used in aesthetic surgery/medicine. To date, no studies have performed a histological assessment of changes in the tissue after application of bipolar radiofrequency (BRF) with low energy and frequency. The aim of this study was to examine changes that are produced in connective tissue, principally in the fibroblasts, following BRF treatment. Four groups of rats received a different number of RF sessions (1, 2, 3 and 5). The following parameters were determined: the number of fibroblasts/unit area (FA), the proliferation index (PI), the Heat shock Protein 47 index (HSPI) and the percentage of connective tissue (PC). For statistical analysis, two subgroups (A and B) were made for the variables FA, PI and PC, and another two subgroups (C and D) for the variable HSPI. Significant differences for FA, PI and PC were observed between subgroups A and B, FA and PI having higher values in A, while PC had higher values in B. The HSPI in subgroup C showed significantly higher values than in D. Low energy and frequency BRF led to an increase in the number, proliferation and biosynthetic activity of fibroblasts. The resulting stress suffered by fibroblasts as a result of heat may be associated with the phenomenon of hormesis.

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.

Unlabelled: A bibliographic review on <> was performed in order to find out the ethical criteria put forward by the authors on this issue. 23 biomedical and 10 bioethical journals were reviewed and authors for and against the procedure were found. In the Biomedical journals, the main arguments for this issue are that nobody should be hurt and that there is an ethical imperative that is to save a life and that this is preferable to abortion. Those against, believe that an inadequate discrimination against women is being exerted on one hand by subjecting them to a complex, inefficient and dangerous procedure, and on the other, against embryos when many healthy ones are rejected because they are not compatible, or because of the dangers to the embryo, and also the psychological problems for the sick child as well as the donor. In the bioethical journals, we found a higher proportion of papers that are in its favor than in biomedical journals. The arguments are similar to those of the bioethical ones, but there are some particular arguments such as that the autonomy of parents must be respected; that it is a success of the common sense; that it is not an invasive process as it is considered; that it only involves blood donation not a solid organ; that the child that donates will feel accompanied by the saved one and he/she will feel the satisfaction of since having helped someone to live because without this procedure, the baby child would probably not have been born. The arguments against are the discrimination women undergo when they are subjected to this procedure with potential risks for her, the embryos and children., In Conclusion: a) the morality of <> medicine not has been debated in the bioethics and biomedical community before its implementation b) in both communities the majority of authors consider it to be ethically licit; c) paradoxically there is a greater relative percentage of authors who are critical of it within the biomedical field than in bioethics; d) from a personalist bioethics perspective a human embryo is endowed with the dignity of a person and as such must be respected, this technique being an positive eugenics practice, in which, after previous selection health embryos are deprived of their right to exist.

In this brief article we continue our reflection about the relations that should exist between the knowledge of biomedical sciences and the development of bioethics. After stating the principle of not absolute concordance between empirical and philosophical data as well as the former data are partial truths and highly contextualized by the experiment, we propose a certain criteria that should govern the use of biomedical sciences in bioethics. These criteria are based on ability to distinguish the two areas of knowledge and, without confusing each other, achieve their integration in a new unit of knowledge. Approximating the two disciplines in this way each will be more able to accommodate the other. From contiguity to integration into a higher order unit, without that both losing their own nature. We conclude that not only this posture avoid the mistake of deducting the bioethics from experimental scientific date but also not to manipulate biomedical data based on previous philosophical positions. Furthermore we also reached a more comprehensive and real understanding of bioethics. This implies that both scientists and humanists that work in bioethics must live an ethical imperative in their research that we have described as essential. This consist in a continuously update in biomedicine for research and development the bioethics.

In 2008 [corrected] the Catholic Church published a document entitled Dignitas Personae (DP) about a range of bioethical issues related to the areas of assisted reproduction and human genetics. The objective of this paper is analyzing the issues treated in the same and comments the novelty of his arguments in the bioethical thinking of the Catholic Church. DP document has an introduction, three parts and a conclusion. The publication of document is due to recent advances that have occurred in recent years in the two areas mentioned above. This advances were not analyzed in a previously document called Donum Vitae (DV). DP analyzes these new advances from the anthropological and ethical approaches of DV. Not intending to contradict DV, the DP applies the arguments of DV to new situations. In both the title and elsewhere in the text it is affirmed that the human embryo has the dignity of human person. From this principle DP analyzes issues such as the status of the human embryo, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, (ICSI), preimplantation diagnosis, embryo cryopreservation, contragestion, embryo reduction etc. In these matters, as in the questions such as human genetics, cloning, gene therapy or the use of biological material obtained from abortions, the document reaffirms previous ideas of the Catholic Church, applies them to new problems or develops new arguments that will require further reflection. In conclusion, the document is very useful for understanding the current bioethical thinking of the Catholic Church on these issues; it clarifies certain disputes, suggesting new arguments, and leaves other issues to free discussion and subsequent interventions of the Catholic Magisterium. Finally, the document reaffirms the commitment of the Catholic Church to the poor of our techno-scientific society, the proletariat of the new century: human embryos.

The common dentex is a promising candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture. The present work is aimed at describing the development of the axial musculature from hatching to postlarval life. Transmission electron microscopy, histochemical (NADH-TR and mATPase) and immunohistochemical techniques (S-58 and TUNEL) have been used. At hatching superficial red and deep white muscles can be distinguished. Presumptive dermomyotome (external) cells are initially located over the superficial red muscle but shortly (2 days) tend to concentrate towards the epaxial and hipaxial limits of the myotome. Then, these cells enter the myotome and spread around and within the white muscle thus being apparently responsible for the stratified hyperplasia of the myotome. Mosaic hyperplasia is activated during the second half of the larval period and initially relies on differentiation of a population of atypical premyoblastic cells (APC). APC are mononuclear cells with euchromatic nuclei, cytoplasms full of thin longitudinally projected tubules, occasional mitochondria and scattered ribosomes. By the end of the larval period these cells tend to disappear, partly due to apoptosis, but postlarval mosaic hyperplasia continues by differentiation of presumptive myosatellite cells. APC are an unexpected and singular finding of this study which deserves more research, so as to further characterize their ancestry, developmental programme and fate. In addition to the white and superficial red muscle fibres, intermediate (pink) and tonic fibres appear during larval metamorphosis. Later, during the early postlarval life, a new type of slow twitch red muscle fibre is differentiated (red adult type).

This paper enters the analysis of the phenomenon of the abortion in Spain, across the study of the reasons of his practices in the group of immigrant women resident in Murcia. The following aims appear are: a) know the prevalence of abortions in the immigrant population of an urban center of primary care health in the state of Murcia, b) know the personal attitude before this population's c) analized abortion this population's socio-economic and religious characteristics and to value their possible relationship with the abortion. The material and method used form a descriptive traverse study, carried out in primary care (Center of primary care San Andrés-state of Murcia) carried out during the months of June to December of 2007. 230 women were included. The collection of data was made by means of interview clinic carrying out a survey semistructured with open and closed questions, in total 14 items, enlarged to 23 items in case one declares voluntary abortions. The Results show us as the fundamental motives for those who are aborted they were the lack of economic means, the disadvantages for his personal projects and the pressure on the part of his pair or family. The conclusions, force first, from the bioethic reflection, to the denunciation of the political- social inaction with regard to the abortion and the ideological manipulation of the socioeconomic reasons of the same practices; and secondly, to the promotion of networks of help to the embarrassed woman and to the public defense of the absolute value of the human life.