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To better understand the effect of androgen on the growth and function of accessory sex glands, it can be useful to determine the presence or absence of the androgen receptor (AR) in the individual cell types. Five adult intact male rats were sacrificed at 120 days. Their seminal vesicles and prostate glands were removed, fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues were sectioned at 5 μm and stained using the microwave-stimulated antigen retrieval technique for immunohistochemistry. Positive immunohistochemical staining for the AR was evident in nuclei but not in the cytoplasm of gland cells such as luminal cells, basal cells, periacinar smooth muscle cells, other stromal cells, and smooth muscle cells in the tunica muscularis. The proportions of AR-positive and AR-negative basal cells were similar. The staining intensity of luminal cells was greater than basal cells and stromal cells. The numbers of AR-positive and AR-negative luminal cells in the prostate were almost equal. On the other hand, in the seminal vesicle only a small number of luminal cells were AR-negative. These observations can be interpreted to mean that the epithelium of the seminal vesicle is more sensitive to androgenic stimulation than the prostate epithelium.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the androgen receptor (AR) distribution in epididymal cells of developing rats and the effects of prepubertal epididymal obstruction upon AR distribution in the rat caput epididymis. At 15 days of age, the young rats were divided at random into groups for epididymal ligation or sham operation. In the ligation group the corpus epididymides were ligated bilaterally; in the sham group only laparatomy was performed. Both groups were sacrificed at 21, 56, 90, 120 days. The epididymes were removed, fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues were sectioned at 5 μm and stained using the microwave stimulated antigen retrieval technique for immunohistochemistry. The features of the immunohistochemical staining of caput epididymal cells for the AR were similar across both groups. The operation did not affect AR distribution in caput epididymis. Positive immunohistochemical staining for the AR appeared in nuclei but not in the cytoplasm of caput epididymal cells at all ages beginning from 21 to 120 days old. The staining intensity of AR-positive cells did not change depending on age. In the caput epididymis, immunostainable AR were found in tubular epithelial cells (principal cells, basal cells and apical cells) and interstitial stromal cells (peritubular smooth muscle cells). There were no significant histological alterations in epididymal epithelium.

The localization of calbindin-D28k was examined in rat kidney at different stages of development. Calbindin was found specifically in the distal convoluted tubules (DCT). In the 10 day old rat kidney many cells apparently belonging to the collecting tubules were positive. In the neonatal nephrons there was also localization of calbindin-D28k to the limb of Henle, suggesting a difference in the regulation of intracellular calcium during maturation. Proximal tubule, renal corpuscle and macula densa gave no specific localization of calbindin-D28k.

The localization of calbindin in the kidney and cerebellum of Hystrix cristata was investigated immu­nohistochemically using an antiserum against the 28k Da calbindin of chicken duodenum. Calbindin-D28k is an intracellular protein with a high affinity for calcium. This protein is exclusively localized in the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Functionaly, calbindin-D28k is supposed to be involved in the regulation of the reabsorption of calcium in the distal nephron, though the exact regulatory mechanisms are not yet known.

The distribution and localization of serotonin immunoreactive cells in the superior colliculus of the porcupine (Hystrix cristata) was studied using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method and an antiserum against serotonin. The study was performed on four superior colliculus’ of porcupine. Serotonin immunoreactivity showed a dense body of positively labelled cells throughout the superior colliculus. These serotonin immunoreactive cells had a characteristic arrangement corresponding to the laminar structures of the superior colliculus. In this study, the densest concentration of serotonin immunoreactive cells was found in a single tier located within the stratum zonale (SZ) and upper part of the stratum griseum superficiale (SGS). The second densest is located within stratum griseum intermedium (SGI) and the third appears as an incomplete layer, found only in the medial and central parts of the stratum griseum profundum (SGP). On the basis of these findings, serotonin has been suggested to be an inhibitory neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the mammalian superior colliculus.

Objective: Diabetes is an important endocrinological disease that has an increasing incidence in the world and affects all biological tissues including testicles. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the histological and biochemical effects of vitamin D on irisin, apoptosis, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) in testicular tissues of rats with experimental diabetes., Materials and Methods: 41 male Wistar rats, 8-10 weeks old, weighing between 200-220 g, were included in the study as the following groups: control group (n=7; no treatment), sham group [only sodium citrate buffer (SCB)] [n=7; single dose 0.1 Molar (M) SCB given intraperitoneally (i.p)], vitamin D group (n=7; 50 IU/day given orally), diabetes group [n=10; single dose 50 mg/kg Streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in 0.1 M SCB and given i.p (tail vein blood glucose level above 250 mg/dl after 72 hours)] and diabetes+vitamin D group [n=10, single dose 50 mg/kg STZ, dissolved in 0.1 M SCB and given i.p (tail vein blood glucose level above 250 mg/dl after 72 hours) and when diabetes occurs, oral vitamin D administration of 50 IU/day)]. At the end of the 8 weeks experiment, blood was drawn from the tail vein of all rats, they were sacrificed and testicular tissues were taken. While the amount of irisin in the blood and testicular tissue supernatants was analyzed with the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method, TAS and TOS measurements were analyzed with the REL method, testicular tissues were analyzed histopathologically, immunohistochemically, and with the TUNEL method., Results: When the diabetes group was compared with the control and sham groups, it was reported that the amounts of blood and tissue supernatant irisin and TAS significantly decreased and the TOS was significantly increased; a statistically significant increase in irisin and TAS of blood and tissue supernatants and a significant decrease in TOS were detected when diabetes+vitamin D and diabetes groups were compared among themselves. Similar results were obtained in the immunohistochemical studies. Tissue expressions of irisin decreased in the diabetes group compared to the control and sham groups, while the application of vitamin D increased the tissue expressions of irisin. Additionally, when the numbers of apoptotic cells were compared, it was reported that apoptotic cells in the diabetes group increased significantly compared to the control and sham groups, and vitamin D administration significantly decreased the number of apoptotic cells., Conclusions: Taken together, vitamin D administration to diabetic rats decreased the number of apoptotic cells and increased the amount of irisin. Vitamin D had an effective role in maintaining the physiological integrity of rat testicular tissues, so vitamin D may be a potent agent to be used in the treatment of diabetes in the future.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of thymoquinone against the negative effects of varicocele on testicular tissue and sperm morphology. Five groups were formed by random selection from a total of 40 adult male Wistar rats (n = 8). Thymoquinone (5 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally to the varicocele-dimethyl sulfoxide-olive oil-thymoquinone (VT) group and the sham-thymoquinone group. At the end of the 60th day, all groups were anaesthetised and the left testis was removed from the body quickly. One half of the testis tissue, which was divided into two, was separated for biochemical and Western blot analysis, while the other half were fixed in Bouin's fixative. As a result of biochemical, molecular and histopathological analyses, a statistically significant increase was found in the varicocele group testicular tissues in the malondialdehyde level, apoptotic index, Bax expression, cytochrome c expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio compared with the sham group. In addition, histopathological changes characterised by partial or complete degeneration of the germinal epithelium were observed in the seminiferous tubules in the same group. Total oxidant status level and sperm count with abnormal morphology increased in varicocele group, whereas total antioxidant status level decreased. In the VT group, all of the biochemical, molecular and histopathological changes detected in the varicocele group were statistically significantly reduced. When the findings obtained in this study are evaluated, it can be said that thymoquinone has the potential to be used as a preventive and therapeutic pharmacological agent in the medical treatment of varicocele. Although the exact mechanism of action of thymoquinone has not been fully elucidated, the findings obtained in this study support the view that thymoquinone showed a cytoprotective effect by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Irisin is mainly secreted by heart and skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise-induced protein that converts white adipose tissue to brown. Increased irisin expression was lead to weight loss and improved glucose tolerance. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in various tissues of the dwarf hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii). Tissues were processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm and stained immunohistochemically for irisin. In the retina, irisin was found almost all layers, except outer nuclear layer. Also, irisin immunoreactivity was observed in the skin, cornea, striated muscle, parotid gland, tongue, oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. The findings from this study support the notion that skeletal muscle is not the primary source of irisin., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Irisin was first identified in skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise protein that is secreted into the circulation; it causes conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in mole rat (Spalax leucodon) tissues. We examined cerebellum, pituitary, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, uterus, kidney and striated muscle in female adult mole rats. Tissues were processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm and stained immunohistochemically for irisin. Irisin immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of stained cells; the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells was unstained. We found that irisin may be synthesized in many tissues. The function of locally synthesized irisin currently is unknown.

Androgens exert their effects through androgen receptors (AR) in tissues. We investigated the distribution of AR in female mole rat tissues. Tissues were excised, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained after microwave antigen retrieval for immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining of AR immunostaining was detected in the nucleus or cytoplasm of the cells in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, anterior pituitary, lung, liver, uterus and skin. Granulosa and some thecal cells in the ovary, cardiac muscle cells and adipose cells exhibited a nuclear reaction for AR. In the kidney, labeling of AR was restricted to the cytoplasm of tubule cells. We found that AR could be detected using immunohistochemistry in the nucleus or cytoplasm or both in the presence of androgens.

Irisin was first identified in muscle cells. We detected irisin immunoreactivity in various organs of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). In the epidermis, irisin immunoreactivity was localized mainly in stratum basale, stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum layers; immunoreactivity was not observed in the stratum corneum. In the dermis, irisin was found in the external and internal root sheath, cortex and medulla of hair follicles, and in sebaceous glands. Irisin immunoreactivity was found in the neural retina and skeletal muscle fibers associated with the eye. The pineal and thyroid glands also exhibited irisin immunoreactivity.

Background: Previous researches about the effects of epididymal obstruction on the testes are contradictory, and the mechanism harmful effect of male duct system obstruction on seminiferous tubules still remains unclear., Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of epididymal obstruction in prepubertal rats on the testis., Materials and Methods: 15 days of age, the young rats were divided at random in two groups for epididymal ligation (n=25) or sham operation (n=15). Both groups were sacrificed at 21, 35, 56, 90, 120 days. The testis were removed, fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues were sectioned at 5 µm and stained with haematoxylin-eosin and triple stain., Results: In ligated rats the first histological alterations were detected at 56 days. These degenerative changes included increase at the seminiferous tubule diameter and basal membrane thickness, decrease at the germinal epithelium thickness, depletion of spermatids and presence of multinucleated spermatids. In 90 and 120 days ligation groups; germ cells greatly reduced in number., Conclusion: progressive degenerative alterations occurred in the seminiferous tubules after prepubertal epididymal obstruction but these degenerative alterations are not observed until puberta and in the seminiferous tubules that showed extensive degeneration, seminiferous epithelium was composed mainly of Sertoli cells.

Objective: To investigate the effects of prepubertal epididymal obstruction on the androgen receptor (AR) distribution in the testis., Study Design: Young rats were randomly divided into 2 groups for epididymal ligation and sham operation. In the ligation group the corpus epididymides were ligated bilaterally, while only laparatomy operation was performed in the sham group. Both groups were sacrificed at 21, 35, 56, 90 and 120 days. The testes were removed, fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues were sectioned at 5 microm, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and a microwave simulated antigen retrieval technique was used for immunohistochemistry., Results: The first pathological alterations in the testes of ligated animals were observed at 56 days, and after that the alterations continued progressively. In 90 and 120 days of ligation the number of germ cells was reduced and seminiferous epithelium was mainly composed of Sertoli cells. AR immunostaining was detected in the nuclei of peritubular myoid cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and pericytes but not in germ cells of the sham group rats. Except for the Sertoli cells, immunostaining properties of the ligation group rats were similar with those of the sham group., Conclusion: Progressive degenerative alterations occurred in the seminiferous tubules after prepubertal epididymal obstruction. The nuclei of Sertoli cells were not AR immunostaining in extensively degenerated seminiferous tubules.

This study was carried out to investigate the specific anatomical features of the neurocranium of the skull of the dog, cat, badger, marten and otter. Twenty-five animals (five from each species) were used without sexual distinction. The neurocranium consists of os occipitale, os sphenoidale, os pterygoideum, os ethmoidale, vomer, os temporale, os parietale and os frontale. The processus paracondylaris is projected ventrally in the cat, dog, marten and badger, and caudally in the otter. Two foramina were found laterally on each side of the protuberantia occipitalis externa in the otter, and one foramen was found near the protuberantia occipitalis externa in the badger. Foramen was not seen in other species. Paired ossa parietalia joined each other at the midline, forming the sutura sagittalis in the badger, dog, otter and cat while it was separated by the linea temporalis in the marten. The os frontale was small in otters, narrow and long in martens, and quite wide in cats and dogs. The bulla tympanica was rounded in the marten, dog, cat and badger, dorsoventral compressed in otter, and it was very large in all species examined. These observations represented interspecies differences in the neurocranium of marten, otter, badger, cat and dog.