Seminal Vesicles

Prostate cancer displays a wide spectrum of clinical behaviour from biological indolence to rapidly lethal disease, but we remain unable to accurately predict an individual tumor's future clinical course at an early curable stage. Beyond basic dimensions and volume calculations, tumor morphometry is an area that has received little attention, as it requires the analysis of the prostate gland and tumor foci in three-dimensions. Previous efforts to generate three-dimensional prostate models have required specialised graphics units and focused on the spatial distribution of tumors for optimisation of biopsy strategies rather than to generate novel morphometric variables such as tumor surface area. Here, we aimed to develop a method of creating three-dimensional models of a prostate's pathological state post radical prostatectomy that allowed the derivation of surface areas and volumes of both prostate and tumors, to assess the method's accuracy to known clinical data, and t...

The seminal vesicle secretion (SVS) of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was investigated by analytical and experimental methods. SVS consists mainly of proteins and glycoproteins which are responsible for its viscous and sticky nature. The secretion contains also high activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and proteases. These catabolic enzymes do not have functions in autolysis or liquefaction of SVS but are considered to eliminate aging spermatozoa from the proximal portions of seminal vesicle and from the spermatic duct. SVS of the African catfish is unstable in the environment relevant for natural spawning. When SVS was mixed with water, seminal plasma or different types of saline solutions its protein coagulated forming fibrous or granular particles of variable size within a few seconds. Pure SVS completely inhibited the motility as the sticky secretion hindered spermatozoa in free swimming. SVS had also a negative effect on sperm fertility, egg fertility...

The seminal vesicle secretion (SVS) of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was investigated by analytical and experimental methods. SVS consists mainly of proteins and glycoproteins which are responsible for its viscous and sticky nature. The secretion contains also high activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and proteases. These catabolic enzymes do not have functions in autolysis or liquefaction of SVS but are considered to eliminate aging spermatozoa from the proximal portions of seminal vesicle and from the spermatic duct. SVS of the African catfish is unstable in the environment relevant for natural spawning. When SVS was mixed with water, seminal plasma or different types of saline solutions its protein coagulated forming fibrous or granular particles of variable size within a few seconds. Pure SVS completely inhibited the motility as the sticky secretion hindered spermatozoa in free swimming. SVS had also a negative effect on sperm fertility, egg fertility...

Introduction.
Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with several tissue injuries including heart and liver fibrosis. In these diseases, hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) plays a major role in modulating the alteration of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), leading to the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Since the effect of Hhcy on ECM of seminal vesicle was not studied, the aim of our research was to check if Hcy can induce a remodeling within seminal vesicles ECM.
Material and methods.
The study was conducted in 22 adult male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two groups: a control group, which received standard diet and tap water; the treated group received the same diet and water supplemented with solution of L-methionine (200 mg/kg body mass/day) for 6 months. Plasma homocysteine concentration was measured. Histological changes were observed with light microscope. The presence of collagen I and III and metalloproteinases (2, 3, 7 and 9) in the seminal vesicles was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
Results.
Plasma Hcy levels increased significantly after methionine treatment and interfered significantly with body weight in treated rats. The content of fibrillar collagens (I and III) in the wall of seminal vesicles was elevated in hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Moreover, we found that hyperhomocysteinemia increased the expression of MMP-2, -3, -7 and -9 in seminal vesicles of experimental rats.
Conclusions.
Increased plasma concentration of Hcy accompanied by the accumulation of collagen and upregulation of MMPs in rat seminal vesicles might contribute to the remodeling of seminal vesicles.

During the breeding season, a major androgen-dependent protein with an apparent molecular weight of 21 kDa was isolated and purified from the seminal vesicles of three Saharan rodents (MLVSP21 from Meriones libycus, MSVSP21 from Meriones shawi, and MCVSP21 from Meriones crassus). The 21-kDa protein was isolated and purified from soluble seminal vesicle proteins of homogenate by one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Using polyclonal antibodies directed against POSVP21 (Psammomys obesus seminal vesicles protein of 21 kDa), a major androgen-dependent secretory protein from sand rat seminal vesicles, identified previously as transgelin, we showed an immunological homology with POSVP21 by immunoblotting. These three major androgen-dependent proteins with a same apparent molecular weight of 21 kDa designated as MLVSP21 (Meriones libycus seminal vesicles protein of 21 kDa), MSVSP21 (Meriones shawi seminal vesicles protein of 21 kDa), and MCVSP21 (Meriones crassus seminal vesicles protein of 21 kDa) were localized by immunohistochemistry and identified by applying a proteomic approach. Our results indicated that the isolated proteins MLSVP21, MSSVP21, and MCSVP21 seem to correspond to the same protein: the transgelin. So that transgelin can be used as a specific marker of these rodent physiological reproduction mechanisms.

The pharmacological activity of several 16-bromosubstituted trienediones 4 and 5, 16-methyl substituted dienediones 6 and 7 and the 16-methyl substituted trienedione 8 was determined on gonadectomized hamster seminal vesicles by measuring the in vitro conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and also the ability of these steroids to bind to the androgen receptor. Steroids 6 and 7 when injected together with T decreased the weight of the seminal vesicles thus showing an antiandrogenic effect. Compounds 5 and 6 reduced substantially the conversion of T to DHT and therefore can be considered good inhibitors for the enzyme 5alpha-reductase; however both steroids failed to form a complex with the androgen receptor. On the other hand compound 7 which showed a very small inhibitory activity for the enzyme 5alpha-reductase, exhibited a very high affinity for the androgen receptor and thus can be considered an effective antiandrogen. This com...

Prenatal betamethasone (BM) exposure in rats negatively impacts sperm quality and male fertility. Studies have shown that BM can cause multi-generational effects on the pituitary-adrenal-axis of rats. The objective of this study was to assess the reproductive development and fertility of male rats (F2) whose fathers (F1) were exposed to BM (0.1mg/kg) on gestational days 12, 13, 18 and 19. In F2 rats, there was a significant reduction in body weights of the BM-treated group at PND 1 as well as delayed onset of puberty, and decreases in FSH levels, Leydig cell volume, sperm number and motility, seminal vesicle contractility and ejaculated volume. Furthermore, increased serum LH levels, sperm DNA damage and abnormal morphology were observed, resulting in reduced fertility. In conclusion, prenatal BM-treatment leads to intergenerational long-term reproductive impairment in male rats, raising concern regarding the widespread use of BM in preterm births.

The male reproductive system of Graphosoma lineatum (Linnaeus 1758) is studied morphologically and histologically using both light and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). On the basis of histological sections and whole morfological studies, the following elements in the structure of the male reproductive system of G. lineatum have been examined: the structure of a pair of testis containing the testes follicles and the stage of spermatogenesis, the connection of testes and vas deferens; the position and the histological structure the of a pair of vas deferens which is the tube down which the sperm travels, the structure of seminal vesicle which is where the sperm is stored prior to mating which supply seminal fluid for additional volume and to nourish the sperm beforeduring their journey, the bulbus ejaculatorius, a pair of ectodermal sacs the ductus ejaculatorius as well as the structure of aedeagus.

In the present study, distribution of steroid hormones (estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T), corticosteroids and progestins) in the testis and seminal vesicles (SV) of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis were investigated in two seasons (pre-spawning and spawning phases) of the reproductive cycle. The data showed that the levels of the steroid hormones varied significantly in both reproductive phases and exhibited organ-related differences. Sex steroid levels were highest in the pre-spawning phase and lowest in the spawning phase. The concentration of E2 and cortisol was highest in the testis. However, E2 level was higher in the SV compared to the testis in the pre-spawning phase and during spawning phase there was no significant difference in the E2 level of testis and SV. Seminal vesicle and testis recorded higher levels of cortisol in the spawning phase. The concentration of corticosterone was significantly higher in testis during pre-spawning phase and in seminal vesicle during the spawning phase. 21-deoxycortisol was higher in the pre-spawning phase in the SV but not in the testis and deoxycorticosterone was significantly higher in the pre-spawning phase than spawning phase. Progesterone was high in the pre-spawning phase and low in all tissues in the spawning phase. 17-P4 concentration was the highest in both SV and testis during spawning phase. In the testis 17, 20β-DP concentration was the highest in the pre-spawning phase. In contrast, in the SV, 17, 20β-DP was lowest during pre-spawning phase. This study shows high levels of corticosteroid profile in the testis and SV. The physiological significance of the steroids other than T is not clear at present. However, knowledge of seasonal profile of key steroid hormones in the male catfish may be helpful in monitoring reproductive capability and important for fish breeding in captivity.

Systematic review of literature and meta-analysis to evaluate the results of magnetic resonance image 1.5T with endorectal coil in the diagnosis and evaluation of extra-prostatic extension and involvement of seminal vesicles of prostate cancer, compared to the histopathological results of the radical prostatectomy specimen. It was conducted a systematic review of literature and meta-analyses of all studies data published after 2008. In those studies, the patients with prostate cancer with indication to radical prostatectomy were submitted to magnetic resonance image (MRI) at pre-operatory period and the results were compared to those of histopathological studies after the surgery. The selected terms for research included prostate cancer, magnetic resonance, radical prostatectomy, and prostate cancer diagnosis, in the databases EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. The data were collected using a specific qualitative instrument and the meta-analysis data were presented...

The early and mid-term oncological and functional results of a seminal vesicle sparing modification of perineal nerve sparing radical prostatectomy (SV-RPP) was compared to the classical perineal (RPP) and retroperitoneal (RRP) approaches. From July 2003 to December 2007, 702 radical prostatectomies (417 RPP, 285 RRP) were performed by 3 surgeons (mean follow-up 17 months, range 0-48 months). RPP was chosen under the following conditions: PSA<10 ng/ml, Gleason sum<7 and volume<50 ml. A seminal vesicle sparing technique (SV-RPP) was used in 47% of the RPPs. With a significantly shorter average operation (OR) time (SV-RPP 90 min, RPP 144 min, RRP 165 min), transfusion rate (SV-RPP 3%, RPP 9.1%, RRP 11.9%) and rate of anastomotic leaks at day 10 (SV-RPP 6.4%, RPP 10.3%, RRP 27.8%) the pT2 positive surgical margin rate with SV-RPP (3.4%) was significantly lower than with RPP (9.6%) and RPP (8.4%). For pT2-R0 tumors PSA relapse>0.2 ng/ml occurred in 12.5%, 13.6% and 8.2%, res...

The seminal vesicles (SVs), like much of the male reproductive tract, depend on androgen-driven stromal-epithelial interactions for normal development, structure, and function. The primary function of the SVs is to synthesize proteins that contribute to the seminal plasma and this is androgen dependent. However, the cell-specific role for androgen action in adult SVs remains unclear. This study analyzed the SV in mice with targeted ablation of androgen receptors specifically in smooth muscle cells (PTM-ARKO) to determine in vivo whether it is androgen action in a subset of the SV stroma, the smooth muscle cells, that drives epithelial function and identity. These mice have significantly smaller SVs in adulthood with less smooth muscle and reduced epithelial cell height. Less epithelial cell proliferation was observed in adult PTM-ARKO SVs, compared with controls, and production of seminal proteins was reduced, indicating global impairment of epithelial cell function in PTM-ARKO SVs....

Male rats secrete growth hormone (GH) in episodic bursts every 3.5-4 h. Between the peaks, GH levels are undetectable. In females, GH secretory profiles are characterized as continuous because hormone concentrations are always measurable in the circulation. These gender differences in the circulating GH profiles are responsible, to varying degrees, for observed sexual dimorphisms ranging from body growth to the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) isoforms. Using hypophysectomized rats in which restored gender-dependent plasma GH profiles were manipulated, we have investigated the importance of the interpulse period in the masculine episodic plasma GH profile in regulating expression (mRNA, protein and/or specific catalytic activity) of male-specific CYP2A2, 2C11, 2C13 and 3A2, female-specific CYP2C12 and female-predominant CYP2A1, 2C6 and 2C7. We observed that some isoforms were induced or suppressed by discerning the length of the GH-devoid interpulse period, others r...