BACKGROUND: Nowadays, mobile devices that emit non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are predominantly used by juveniles and pubescents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of whole body pulsed EMR on the juvenile Wistar albino rat testis at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and mean power density of 2.8 mW/cm2. METHODS: The investigated animals (n=24) were divided into two control and two EMR groups (5 and 6 week old rats; 6 rats per group). Both EMR groups were irradiated continually for 3 weeks (2h/day) from postnatal days 14 and 21, respectively. RESULTS: EMR caused an irregular shape of seminiferous tubules with desquamated immature germ cells in the lumen, a large number of empty spaces along the seminiferous epithelium and dilated and congested blood vessels in the interstitial tissue of the testis. The cytoplasm of Sertoli cells showed strong vacuolization and damaged organelles, with the cytoplasm full of different heterophagic and lipid vacuoles or the cytoplasm of spermatocytes with swollen mitochondria in both irradiated groups. A significant increase in the total tubular area of seminiferous tubules was observed in both EMR groups compared with controls (P<0.001). A significant increase in the TUNEL-positive apoptotic nuclei (P<0.01) was accompanied by a significant rise in both Cu-Zn-SOD (P<0.01) and Mn-SOD (P<0.001) positive cells in the 6 week old experimental rats compared to control animals. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed a harmful effect of non-ionizing radiation on the structure and ultrastructure of the juvenile rat testis.
- MeSH
- Electromagnetic Radiation * MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Radiation, Nonionizing adverse effects MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Aging MeSH
- Testis radiation effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Testis development and ultrastructure of spermatogenic cells and spermatozoa of burbot Lota lota, a commercially important cold freshwater fish, were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa are distributed along the seminiferous tubules. Electron-dense bodies appear in germ cells from primary spermatogonia to secondary spermatocytes. We identified three distinct stages of spermatid cell differentiation based on chromatin condensation, development of the flagellum, formation of a nuclear fossa, and elimination of excess cytoplasm. Spermatozoa were anacrosomal and characterized by location of the centrioles outside the nuclear fossa and incomplete perpendicular arrangement of the centrioles. The sperm flagellum displayed an axoneme with nine doublets of peripheral microtubules and two central microtubules. These results provide valuable information for burbot taxonomy and may clarify the process of spermatogenesis for this species.
- MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Fishes metabolism MeSH
- Sertoli Cells ultrastructure MeSH
- Spermatids ultrastructure MeSH
- Spermatogenesis * MeSH
- Spermatogonia ultrastructure MeSH
- Spermatozoa ultrastructure MeSH
- Testis cytology ultrastructure MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Calcium plays a variety of vital regulatory functions in many physiological and biochemical events in the cell. The aim of this study was to describe the ultrastructural distribution of calcium during different developmental stages of spermatogenesis in a model organism, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), using a combined oxalate-pyroantimonate technique. Samples were treated by potassium oxalate and potassium pyroantimonate during two fixation stages and examined using transmission electron microscopy to detect electron dense intracellular calcium. The subcellular distribution of intracellular calcium was characterized in spermatogonium, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoon stages. The area which is covered by intracellular calcium in different stages was quantified and compared using software. Isolated calcium deposits were mainly detectable in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the spermatogonium and spermatocyte. In the spermatid, calcium was partially localized in the cytoplasm as isolated deposits. However, most calcium was transformed from isolated deposits into an unbound pool (free calcium) within the nucleus of the spermatid and the spermatozoon. Interestingly, in the spermatozoon, calcium was mainly localized in a form of an unbound pool which was detectable as an electron-dense mass within the nucleus. Also, sporadic calcium deposits were scattered in the midpiece and flagellum. The proportional area which was covered by intracellular calcium increased significantly from early to late stages of spermatogenesis. The extent of the area which was covered by intracellular calcium in the spermatozoon was the highest compared to earlier stages. Calcium deposits were also observed in the somatic cells (Sertoli, myoid, Leydig) of zebrafish testis. The notable changes in the distribution of intracellular calcium of germ cells during different developmental stages of zebrafish spermatogenesis suggest its different homeostasis and physiological functions during the process of male gamete development.
- MeSH
- Cell Nucleus ultrastructure MeSH
- Zebrafish metabolism MeSH
- Spermatids cytology ultrastructure MeSH
- Spermatogenesis * MeSH
- Subcellular Fractions metabolism ultrastructure MeSH
- Testis cytology ultrastructure MeSH
- Calcium metabolism MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
We describe 17 cases of distinct benign pseudomalignant mesothelial proliferations, involving the spermatic cord. All cases revealed necrosis. The areas adjacent to the necrotic tissue comprised a cellular spindle cell proliferation with a haphazard arrangement of the myofibroblasts that in many areas revealed transitions into plump oval epithelioid cells and into cells with genuine epithelial appearances arranged in linear cords and often luminized into small microcysts. These epithelial cells formed isolated groups with glandular structures arising on the myofibroblastic background. Glandular structures were often situated deeply in the stroma of the spermatic cords. All cellular elements were strongly positive with AE1/AE3 antibody. All myofibroblasts stained with SM-actin antibody. Ultrastructurally, the spindle cells displayed features of myofibroblasts including actin microfilaments, as did the plump epithelioid cells that, additionally, had desmosomes, and the cords of the epithelial cells including those forming glandular structures had characteristics of mesothelias including the characteristic microvilli.
- MeSH
- Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Epithelium pathology MeSH
- Immunohistochemistry MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Testicular Diseases metabolism pathology MeSH
- Spermatic Cord metabolism pathology MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Testicular Neoplasms pathology MeSH
- Inflammation metabolism pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
Sklerozující stromální tumor (SST) je vzácný benigní tumor ovaria patřící mezi nádory gonadostromální, který se typicky vyskytuje u mladých žen (obvykle mladších 30 let). Histologicky je typický svou buněčnou heterogenitou, nápadnou vaskularizací a pseudolobulárním uspořádáním se střídáním buněčných a hypocelulárních okrsků. Prezentujeme případ SST ovaria u 17leté dívky. Publikován je klinický, mikroskopický, imunohistochemický, elektronmikroskopický obraz a diferenciální diagnóza.
Sclerosing stromal tumor (SST) is a rare benign ovarian neoplasm of the sex cord-stromal category occurring predominantly in young women (usually younger than 30 years of age). Histologically, the tumor is characterized by cellular heterogenity, prominent vascularisation, and a pseudolobular appearance composed of cellular and hypocellular areas. We report a case of the ovarian SST in a 17-year-old girl. Clinical, microscopic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural findings and differential diagnosis are disscussed.
Intratubulární germinální neoplazie je prekurzorová léze pro germinální testikulární tumory. Je definována jako přítomnost germinálních buněk s objemnou vakuolizovanou cytoplazmou a jadérky v semenotvorných kanálcích. Je diskutováno celé morfologické spektrum intratubulárních nádorů. Ve většině případů je možné demonstrovat pozitivitu s protilátkou proti alkalické placentární fosfatáze a OCT 3/4. Ultrastrukturální vyšetření nehraje v diferenciální diagnostice podstatnou roli. Zisk (gain) chromozomu 12p, který je typický pro invazivní germinální tumory, se u čisté intratubulární germinální neoplazie nevyskytuje. Od intratubulární germinální neoplazie je nutné odlišit poruchu vyzrávání spermatogónií (spermatogonic arrest) a některé vzácné reaktivní změny v semenotvorných kanálcích.
Intratubular germ cell neoplasia is a precursor lesion for germ cell testicular tumors. It is defined as presence of germ cells with abundant vacuolated cytoplasm and large irregular nuclei with nucleoli within seminiferous tubules. The whole morphologic spectrum of intratubular germinal tumors is discussed. Placental alcaline phosphatase, OCT 3/4 can be demonstrated in majority of the cases. Ultrastructural examination does not play a substantial role in differential diagnosis. Gain of chromosome 12p, which is typical for invasive germ cell tumors is absent in pure intratubular germ cell neoplasia. Spermatogonic arrest and rare reactive changes within seminiferous tubuli have to be distinguished from intratubular germ cell neoplasia.
- MeSH
- Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal diagnosis classification pathology MeSH
- Immunohistochemistry utilization MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- International Classification of Diseases MeSH
- Endodermal Sinus Tumor diagnosis classification pathology MeSH
- Precancerous Conditions diagnosis classification pathology MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Seminoma diagnosis classification pathology MeSH
- World Health Organization MeSH
- Testicular Neoplasms diagnosis classification pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
In the present paper we report on the study of the ultrastructure of Leydig cells of male mice after application of various doses of Pb(NO3)2 in drinking water for 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks. The increasing dose and time interval lead to formation of numerous concentric lamellar systems, accumulation of fatty vacuoles, vacuolization of mitochondria, pronounced surface differentiation, and changed shape of the nucleus of Leydig cells. The ultrastructural picture corresponded with an enhanced metabolic activity in some cells; in other cells dystrophic changes were observed in other. In addition to that, some cells were found that are considered by us to be an intermediary stage between the nondifferentiated mesenchymal cells and the fully functional Leydig cells.
- MeSH
- Leydig Cells ultrastructure MeSH
- Mice, Inbred CBA MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Lead Poisoning pathology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The transmission electron microscopic studies of the trematode Brachylaimus aequans revealed that the seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct are lined with syncytial epithelium with numerous lamellate processes. The cirrus and genital pore are covered with a spineless tegument, which is almost identical with the body tegument. The testes contain tailed spermatozoa developing during spermiogenesis from biflagellate spermatids whose flagella (9 + 1) fuse with the median cytoplasmic process. The lumina of seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct and cirrus are filled with spermatozoa.
- MeSH
- Microscopy, Electron MeSH
- Genitalia, Male ultrastructure MeSH
- Spermatozoa ultrastructure MeSH
- Testis ultrastructure MeSH
- Trematoda ultrastructure MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Histocytochemistry MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Spermatogenesis MeSH
- Testis ultrastructure MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- MeSH
- Cytoplasm ultrastructure MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Endoplasmic Reticulum ultrastructure MeSH
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Collagen analysis MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Testicular Neoplasms pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH