Spermatogenesis is a costly process that is expected to be under selection to maximise sperm quantity and quality. Testis size is often regarded as a proxy measure of sperm investment, implicitly overlooking the quantitative assessment of spermatogenesis. An enhanced understanding of testicular function, beyond testis size, may reveal further sexual traits involved in sperm quantity and quality. Here, we first estimated the inter-male variation in testicular function and sperm traits in red deer across the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Then, we analysed the relationships between the testis mass, eight parameters of spermatogenic function, and seven parameters of sperm quality. Our findings revealed that the Sertoli cell number and function parameters vary greatly between red deer males, and that spermatogenic activity co-varies with testis mass and sperm quality across the breeding and non-breeding seasons. For the first time in a seasonal breeder, we found that not only is the Sertoli cell number important in determining testis mass (r = 0.619, p = 0.007 and r = 0.248, p = 0.047 for the Sertoli cell number assessed by histology and cytology, respectively), but also sperm function (r = 0.703, p = 0.002 and r = 0.328, p = 0.012 for the Sertoli cell number assessed by histology and cytology, respectively). Testicular histology also revealed that a high Sertoli cell number per tubular cross-section is associated with high sperm production (r = 0.600, p = 0.009). Sperm production and function were also positively correlated (r = 0.384, p = 0.004), suggesting that these traits co-vary to maximise sperm fertilisation ability in red deer. In conclusion, our findings contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of spermatogenesis, and reveal new insights into the role of testicular function and the Sertoli cell number on testis size and sperm quality in red deer.

• MeSH
• analýza hlavních komponent MeSH
• roční období * MeSH
• rozmnožování * MeSH
• spermatogeneze * MeSH
• testis anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• velikost orgánu MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Rete testis invasion by germ cell tumors is frequently concomitant with lymphovascular or spermatic cord invasion (LVI/SCI); independent implications for staging are uncertain. METHODS: In total, 171 seminomas and 178 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs; 46 had 1%-60% seminoma component) came from five institutions. Metastatic status at presentation, as a proxy for severity, was available for all; relapse data were unavailable for 152. Rete direct invasion (ReteD) and rete pagetoid spread (ReteP) were assessed. RESULTS: ReteP and ReteD were more frequent in seminoma than NSGCT. In seminoma, tumor size bifurcated at 3 cm or more or less than 3 cm predicted metastatic status. Tumors with ReteP or ReteD did not differ in size from those without invasions but were less than with LVI/SCI; metastatic status or relapse did not show differences. In NSGCT, ReteP/ReteD did not correlate with size, metastatic status, or relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support retaining American Joint Committee for Cancer pathologic T1 stage designation for rete testis invasion and pT1a/pT1b substaging of seminoma.

• Klíčová slova
• Epididymis, Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor, Pathologic stage, Rete, Seminoma, Testis,
• MeSH
• epididymis patologie   MeSH
• germinální a embryonální nádory patologie   MeSH
• invazivní růst nádoru MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rete testis patologie   MeSH
• staging nádorů MeSH
• testikulární nádory patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Adhesion between Sertoli cells and germ cells is important for spermatogenesis. Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of P-cadherin in unilaterally cryptorchid and busulphan-treated rat testes using immunohistochemistry. The pattern of expression of P-cadherin in the seminiferous epithelium changed with the stage of the seminiferous epithelium. The membranes of round spermatids and membranes and cytoplasm of spermatocytes were strongly positive. Our experiments revealed that busulphan treatment (2 doses - 10 mg/kg of body weight - 21 days apart) and cryptorchism led to destructive changes in the structure of seminiferous tubules, together with the decrease in P-cadherin expression. The expression of P-cadherin disappeared in the spermatids segregated from the epithelium while segregated spermatocytes remained still positive for P-cadherin during the 3- to 11-day cryptorchid period. In busulphan-treated animals, the expression of P-cadherin was dependent on the presence or absence of the spermatocytes and spermatids in the tubules. Strong positivity for P-cadherin was observed in the spermatocytes that re-appeared in the regenerating seminiferous epithelium. We suggest that P-cadherin participates in the architecture of adherens junctions in testis, plays an important role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis and that cryptorchism and busulphan treatment lead to adherens junction disintegration.

• MeSH
• busulfan farmakologie   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• kadheriny metabolismus   MeSH
• kryptorchismus metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• testis účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• velikost orgánu MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• busulfan MeSH
• kadheriny MeSH

The structure and ultrastructure of the hedgehog's testis has been studied during active and hibernating states. The maximum activity of the hedgehog's testis manifest itself in spring and summer. In autumn they enter in a seasonal resting, in which, the interstitial cells atrophy and it can observe primary spermatocytes resting next to spermatogonia and supporting cells in the seminiferous tubules. These have a minimal diameter and contain only primary spermatocytes in hibernating period also the seminiferous epithelium that compound the walls of the tubules are about 72 microns thick in the active period and about 47 microns in hibernation. The Sertoli cells shows a small diameter in hibernation than in the active season. The nucleus has one or two nucleoli with distinguish themselves from those observed in the active season because of their closer union with the inner nuclear envelope. In autumn (resting period) the interstitial tissue regress and the Leydig cells are aggregated in blocks with little cytoplasm, minimum size nuclei and 1 or 2 nucleolus closely to the inner nuclear membrane. Like then in the ovary, the hedgehog's testis follows a seasonal cycle determined by the temperature and environmental changes and it have a power of physiological adaptation inherent of a typical hibernating animal.

• MeSH
• hibernace * MeSH
• ježkovití anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• testis anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Primary signet ring stromal tumor of the testis (PSRSTT) is an extremely rare tumor described only twice in the literature. Pancreatic-analogue solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the testis is a recently reported entity with morphological overlap with PSRSTT. We reviewed our files to find all cases of PSRSTT to better characterize this entity. We studied 13 cases of PSRSTTs using histological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and molecular genetic methods and compared the results with pancreatic SPN. Grossly, the size of PSRSTTs ranged from 0.5 to 2 cm (mean 1.1). Microscopically, PSRSTTs predominantly showed a proliferation of low-grade epithelioid cells containing characteristic cytoplasmic vacuole dislodging the nucleus (signet ring cells) separated by fibrous septa into trabeculae and nests. The immunoprofile was characterized by immunoreactivity for β-catenin, cyclin D1 (nuclear positivity for both antibodies), CD10, vimentin, galectin-3, claudin 7, α-1-antitrypsin, CD56, and neuron-specific enolase and negativity for chromogranin, inhibin, calretinin, SF-1, NANOG, OCT3/4, and SALL4. In some cases, the IHC panel was restricted because of a limited amount of tissue. Molecular genetic analysis revealed mutations within exon 3 of the CTNNB1 encoding β-catenin in all analyzable cases. Based on histological similarities between pancreatic SPN and PSRSTT and their identical IHC and molecular genetic features, we assume that both neoplasms share the same pathogenesis, and thus, PSRSTT can be considered as a testicular analogue of pancreatic SPN.

• Klíčová slova
• Analogue, Pancreas, Primary signet ring stromal tumor, Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, Testis,
• MeSH
• beta-katenin analýza   genetika   MeSH
• biopsie MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace MeSH
• buněčný rodokmen MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
• gonadální stromální nádory * chemie   genetika   imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• karcinom z prstenčitých buněk * chemie   genetika   imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• mutační analýza DNA MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery analýza   genetika   MeSH
• nádory slinivky břišní * chemie   genetika   imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• proliferace buněk MeSH
• stupeň nádoru MeSH
• testikulární nádory * chemie   genetika   imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• beta-katenin MeSH
• CTNNB1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH

In the present study, we investigated protein expression of the transcription factors mammalian doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1), basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor-like 5 (TCLF5), and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) in normal human spermatogenesis, testicular mixed germ cell-sex cord stromal tumor (MGC-SCST), spermatocytic tumor, and seminoma. In normal human spermatogenesis, DMRT1 is expressed in the nuclei of spermatogonia but not in those of more mature germ cells. By way of contrast, TCLF5 is expressed in the nuclei of some clusters of primary spermatocytes that have entered meiosis 1, in secondary spermatocytes, and in round (early) spermatids in the seminiferous tubules of adults during the reproductive years. OCT4 is expressed in primordial germ cells but not in the seminiferous tubules of the normal adult testis during the reproductive years. DMRT1 is expressed in the germ cells of both testicular MGC-SCST and spermatocytic tumor, whereas TCLF5 is not expressed in either neoplasm. These low-grade neoplasms, however, differ histologically in that all the germ cell nuclei of testicular MGC-SCST resemble spermatogonia, whereas in spermatocytic tumor, the nuclei of the medium-sized and large cells resemble those of primary spermatocytes. Both neoplasms lack expression of OCT4. By way of contrast, in seminoma, a fully malignant testicular germ cell tumor, the germ cell nuclei express OCT4 but do not express either DMRT1 or TCLF5.

• Klíčová slova
• DMRT1, Mixed germ cell–sex cord stromal tumor, OCT4, Seminoma, Spermatocytic tumor, Testis,
• MeSH
• biopsie MeSH
• buněčné jádro chemie   patologie   MeSH
• germinální a embryonální nádory chemie   patologie   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery analýza   MeSH
• oktamerní transkripční faktor 3 analýza   MeSH
• semenotvorné kanálky chemie   patologie   MeSH
• seminom chemie   patologie   MeSH
• spermatocyty chemie   patologie   MeSH
• spermatogeneze MeSH
• testikulární nádory chemie   patologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory bHLH analýza   MeSH
• transkripční faktory analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DMRT1 protein MeSH Prohlížeč
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH
• oktamerní transkripční faktor 3 MeSH
• POU5F1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• TCFL5 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory bHLH MeSH
• transkripční faktory MeSH

• MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• testis růst a vývoj   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• velikost orgánu MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Disorders of sexual development (DSD) refers to a group of diseases that links the mismatch between an individual's genetic and gonadal development and its phenotype. Ovotesticular DSD (true hermaphroditism) is one such disease, in which both male and female gonads are present. A 15-year-old boy with a history of surgery for non-palpable testis was examined due to bilateral gynecomastia and known gonosomal mosaic of Klinefelter syndrome. The external genital was matured as male and, in the left half of the scrotum, there was a testicle of normal size. Despite uncertain resistance on the right side, however, the right testis was not palpable. Revision of the right groin revealed a surprising finding in the form of an ovary with a dilated fallopian tube, both of which were completely removed. Surgical revision of the left testis with biopsy was performed. The surgery was completed with a bilateral mastectomy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the boy is content and fully integrated into his peer group. True hermaphroditism is a rare type of DSD. In the case described, DSD was not exhibited until puberty, after an examination for gynecomastia. The case also confirms the necessity of clarification and long-term follow-up of patients with unclear findings during surgery for non-palpable testis. Diagnostic laparoscopy is clearly indicated in these situations.

• Klíčová slova
• gynecomastia, laparoscopy, non-palpable testis, ovotesticular DSD, true hermaphroditism,
• MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• gonády abnormality   MeSH
• gynekomastie MeSH
• laparoskopie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• ovotestikulární poruchy sexuálního vývoje chirurgie   MeSH
• pohlavní orgány abnormality   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH

Tomcats are considered to be adults at 1 year of age, although many reach sexual maturity at an earlier age. Nevertheless, we still know little about whether the spermatogenic activity and sperm quality of mature under one-year-old tomcats differ from those of tomcats that are over one-year-old. This study aims to evaluate the spermatogenic activity, sperm traits, and their relationships in mature tomcats at two different ages. Sixteen tomcats showing complete spermatogenesis and spermatozoa in their epididymal caudae were used and classified according to their age as post-pubertal (<1 year old) or adult (˃1 year old). Our results show that adult cats have higher epididymal sperm concentration and lower coefficient of variation in sperm head width and ellipticity than post-pubertal cats. However, they do not differ in their testicular and epididymal mass, spermatogenesis, and sperm traits such as motility, mitochondrial activity, morphology, morphometry, as well as plasma membrane, acrosome, and DNA integrity. Reduced intra-male variation of sperm head ellipticity is associated with higher testis mass, epididymis mass, and sperm concentration. Interestingly, low intra-male variation in sperm head size is associated with increased Sertoli cell function and reduced post-meiotic germ cell loss. These findings increase our knowledge about feline reproductive physiology and provide new insights into the functional significance of low intra-male variation in sperm size and shape in tomcats.

• Klíčová slova
• feline, intra-male variation, sexual maturity, sperm morphometry, spermatogenesis, spermatozoa, testis,
• MeSH
• biologická variabilita populace * MeSH
• epididymis růst a vývoj   MeSH
• fertilita MeSH
• hlavička spermie fyziologie   MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• motilita spermií MeSH
• počet spermií MeSH
• sexuální vývoj MeSH
• spermatogeneze * MeSH
• testis růst a vývoj   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• velikost buňky * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

We present the morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic features of three cases of testicular and four cases of ovarian mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumors (MGSCT). The germ cells in the testicular MGSCTs morphologically differed from those in classical seminomas by lacking the typical "square off" quality of the nuclei. In contrast to the nuclei in classical seminomas, their size in testicular MGSCTs was smaller and nucleoli were inconspicuous and the cytoplasm was Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) negative. Quite on the contrary, the variability in the size of the nuclei of the germ cells in the testicular MGSCTs was more similar to that seen in the germ cells of spermatocytic seminomas. Immunohistochemically, the germ cells of MGSCTs in one case reacted positively with antibody to AE1-AE3 by paranuclear dot-like or rodlike positivity. All three testicular MGSCTs had a negative reaction with the rest of antibodies, including placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), OCT4, and c-kit protein. Ovarian MGSCT in our series differed from the testicular lesions in both the germ cell component and the sex cord component. The germ cells in all four ovarian cases had cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features identical to those in classical seminomas/dysgerminomas. They possessed the typical "square off" quality of the nuclei, which were much more blastic, with more mitoses compared with the testicular tumors in our series, and they were PLAP (4/4), OCT4 (4/4) and c-kit protein (3/4) positive immunohistochemically. The cytoplasm of the germ cells in ovarian neoplasms contained PAS positive glycogen. Germ cells in one ovarian MGSCTs showed amplification of 12p. All other germ cells were negative for amplification of 12p. All five successfully analyzed cases showed no mutation in all studied exons and exon-intron junctions in c-kit and PDFGRA genes.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• germinální a embryonální nádory genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• gonadální stromální nádory genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární biologie MeSH
• nádory vaječníků genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• testikulární nádory genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH