Accessory Reproductive Glands Research Articles

Chemical Resemblance of Egg Surface Compounds and Dufour's Gland in Two Neotropical Polistinae Wasps Polistes versicolor (Olivier) and Mischocyttarus metathoracicus (de Saussure, 1854).

Chemical communication plays a major role in regulating social dynamics in social insect colonies. The most studied class of chemical compounds are the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), compounds with high molecular weight that cover the insect body. CHCs are used in nestmate recognition and to signal reproductive status. Brood, in the form of larvae and eggs, is known to participate in chemical communication and social dynamics by performing hunger behaviour and inducing interaction with adults and conferring nest and maternity identity. CHCs of adults and egg surface compounds are similar in composition in social insect species. The main source of egg compounds is proposed to be Dufour's gland, an accessory reproductive gland found in several Hymenoptera females. There is still a lack of information about the level of similarity among CHCs, compounds of egg surface and Dufour's gland for several wasp species, which could provide correlational evidence about the origins of egg-marking compounds. Thus, we investigated whether egg surface compounds were more similar to CHCs or Dufour's gland secretions in two Neotropical primitively eusocial wasp species, Polistes versicolor (Olivier) and Mischocyttarus metathoracicus (de Saussure, 1854). As expected, there was a higher chemical similarity between eggs and Dufour's gland secretions in both studied species, supporting the hypothesis that this gland is the source of chemical compounds found over the eggs in these two primitively eusocial species.

Evidence for RNA or protein transport from somatic tissues to the male reproductive tract in mouse.

The development of tools to manipulate the mouse genome, including knockout and transgenic technology, has revolutionized our ability to explore gene function in mammals. Moreover, for genes that are expressed in multiple tissues or at multiple stages of development, the use of tissue-specific expression of the Cre recombinase allows gene function to be perturbed in specific cell types and/or at specific times. However, it is well known that putative tissue-specific promoters often drive unanticipated 'off-target' expression. In our efforts to explore the biology of the male reproductive tract, we unexpectedly found that expression of Cre in the central nervous system resulted in recombination in the epididymis, a tissue where sperm mature for ~1-2 weeks following the completion of testicular development. Remarkably, we not only observed reporter expression in the epididymis when Cre expression was driven from neuron-specific transgenes, but also when Cre expression in the brain was induced from an AAV vector carrying a Cre expression construct. A surprisingly wide range of Cre drivers - including six different neuronal promoters as well as the adipose-specific Adipoq Cre promoter - exhibited off-target recombination in the epididymis, with a subset of drivers also exhibiting unexpected activity in other tissues such as the reproductive accessory glands. Using a combination of parabiosis and serum transfer experiments, we find evidence supporting the hypothesis that Cre may be trafficked from its cell of origin to the epididymis through the circulatory system. Together, our findings should motivate caution when interpreting conditional alleles, and suggest the exciting possibility of inter-tissue RNA or protein trafficking in modulation of reproductive biology.

Hypersensitive-like response in Brassica plants is specifically induced by molecules from egg-associated secretions of cabbage white butterflies

Plants perceive and respond to herbivore insect eggs. Upon egg deposition on leaves, a strong hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death can be activated leading to egg desiccation and/or dropping. In Brassica spp., including many crops, the HR-like mechanism against eggs of cabbage white butterflies (Pieris spp.) is poorly understood. Using two Brassica species, the crop B. rapa and its wild relative B. nigra, we studied the cellular and molecular plant response to Pieris brassicae eggs and characterized potential insect egg-associated molecular patterns (EAMPs) inducing HR-like cell death. We found that eggs of P. brassicae induced typical hallmarks of early immune responses, such as callose deposition, production of reactive oxygen species and cell death in B. nigra and B. rapa leaf tissue, also in plants that did not express HR-like cell death. However, elevated levels of ethylene production and upregulation of salicylic acid-responsive genes were only detected in a B. nigra accession expressing HR-like cell death. Eggs and egg wash from P. brassicae contains compounds that induced such responses, but the eggs of the generalist moth Mamestra brassicae did not. Furthermore, wash made from hatched Pieris eggs, egg glue, and accessory reproductive glands (ARG) that produce this glue, induced HR-like cell death, whereas washes from unfertilized eggs dissected from the ovaries or removal of the glue from eggs resulted in no or a reduced response. This suggests that there is one or multiple egg associated molecular pattern (EAMP) located in the egg glue a that teresponse in B. nigra is specific to Pieris species. Lastly, our results indicate that the EAMP is neither lipidic nor proteinaceous. Our study expands the knowledge on the mechanism of Brassica-Pieris-egg interaction and is a step closer toward identification of EAMPs in Pieris egg glue and corresponding receptor(s) in Brassica.

Clinicopathological correlation of various prostatic lesions with serum prostate-specific antigen level – A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: The prostate is a male reproductive accessory gland which gives rise to several pathological conditions. The present study aims to study the correlation of histopathology of prostatic diseases with the clinical profile of the patient coming to VSS Medical College (VSSMC), Burla for histopathological reporting of prostatic biopsies. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To correlate serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level with various clinical and pathological lesions of the prostrate gland, in a Hospital-based sample of Western Odisha population. (2) As the male gender represents almost half of the entire population, to find out different clinicopathological lesions, percentage-wise, so as to know the frequency of occurrence of such lesions. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven cases of prostatic diseases were recorded in the Department of Pathology, VSSMC, Burla for histopathological examination of prostatic tissue for 2 years from September 2017 to August 2019. All the samples were fixed in 5 μ sections with 10% neutral buffered formalin. Then Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H and E stain) was used for staining. Appropriate clinical data comprising signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, and serum PSA levels were recorded. Results: The present study, in the beginning, consisted of 64 patients, out of which seven patients were excluded by exclusion criteria, and finally, 57 cases were analyzed. The most prevalent age group for all prostatic diseases was 61–70 years with a mean of 67 years. The majority of the cases (73.67%) were benign mostly benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) was 12.29% and malignant cases (all adenocarcinoma) were also 12.29%. All patients showed prostatomegaly. About 50% of cases suggestive of malignancy by digital rectal examination (DRE) were confirmed to be carcinoma by histopathological study. Serum creatinine level was raised in 16.27% of benign and 21.42% of premalignant and malignant conditions. Serum PSA level below 4 ng/mL were all benign and above 10 ng/mL were majority malignant conditions. However, at level 4–10 ng/mL, BPH and PIN cases were overlapped with cases of carcinoma. Conclusion: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most commonly encountered prostatic lesion. Serum PSA level <4 ng/mL is associated with benign conditions and more than 10 ng/mL is associated more with carcinomas. Although, investigations such as DRE and serum PSA estimation aid in diagnosis, a definitive diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of prostate can be made by histopathological study of prostatic biopsies.

Comparative analysis of male reproductive accessory glands in bats Histiotus velatus (Vespertilionidae), Molossus rufus (Molossidae), and Peropteryx leucoptera (Emballonuridae).

Despite the high number of species and wide geographic dispersion, reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) of bats have traditionally received little attention in the literature, with some species not even having a basic description of their composition and structure. Thus, this study aimed to analyze and compare the composition, anatomy, and histology of male RAGs of bat species belonging to three of the largest (cosmopolitan) bat families: Vespertilionidae (Histiotus velatus), Molossidae (Molossus rufus), and Emballonuridae (Peropteryx leucoptera), in order to understand the variations in the bat RAGs. The results showed that the RAGs of H. velatus, M. rufus, and P. leucoptera are composed of an intra-abdominal prostatic complex, associated with the urethra, urethral glands, and a pair of inguinal bulbourethral glands; without ampullary glands or seminal vesicles. The prostatic complex can be composed of two (M. rufus and P. leucoptera) or three (H. velatus) prostatic regions, and can be compact (P. leucoptera), semi-lobed (M. rufus), or multilobed (H. velatus). Each prostatic region has unique and distinct characteristics, with the ventral region presenting a holocrine nature, exclusive to bats; while the dorsal and/or dorsolateral regions have similar characteristics to the ventral prostate of rats and to the human peripheral zone.

Morphophysiology of the male reproductive accessory glands of the bat Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera)

Mormoopidae is an exclusive Neotropical family of bats, distributed from southern Mexico to northeastern Brazil. Possibly due to its endemic distribution and very low occurrence (rarity), descriptions of their reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) are still lacking. Thus, this study aims to characterize the male RAGs of Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera). Results demonstrate that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus is composed of a prostatic complex, comprising two regions (ventral and dorsal prostates); urethral (Littre) glands, a pair of bulbourethral and ampullary glands, with the absence of seminal vesicles. The ventral prostate has an atypical epithelium, due to its holocrine secretion; which contains numerous PAS-positive globular vesicles. The dorsal prostate has a cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, containing fluid PAS-negative secretion. The ampullary glands present cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, with secretion varying from granular and PAS-negative to fluid and PAS-positive. Urethral glands are dispersed in the submucosa of the urethra, while the bulbourethral glands are located in the penile root. Both glands have cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium with PAS-positive globular secretion. In conclusion, we propose that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus possibly evolved from a common emballonurid ancestor, shared with the families Phyllostomidae and Noctilionidae, but with the development of an exclusive apomorphy, the ampullary glands.

Functions of Egg-Coating Substances Secreted by Female Accessory Glands in Alderflies, Fishflies and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera).

Simple SummaryEgg masses of the insect order Megaloptera are coated with female accessory gland substances and are diverse in shape, color, and surface structure. Female alderflies (family Sialidae) and fishflies (family Corydalidae, subfamily Chauliodinae) lay eggs in a single layer on the substrate (although the eggs are occasionally multi-layered in the fishfly genus Nigronia), and the accessory gland substances are usually brown. In contrast, dobsonflies (Corydalidae, Corydalinae) lay a multi-layered hemispherical egg mass, and the accessory gland substances differ in color and chemical properties among genera and species. Egg masses of the dobsonfly genus Protohermes are coated with a sticky substance, while those of other dobsonflies are covered with hardened white powders, both of which contribute to the prevention of egg desiccation. The accessory gland substances of most species of Megaloptera also function to protect eggs from attack by oophagous predators, such as ladybird beetles and ants. The information on the parasitoids of Megaloptera egg masses are also discussed based on the present and previously reported observations.Eggs of insects are immobile and must endure harsh environmental conditions (e.g., low temperatures in winter and aridity in summer) and avoid attack by egg-eating predators, egg parasites, and microbes. Females of Megaloptera lay their eggs as a single- or multi-layered egg mass, which is coated with chemical substances secreted from the female reproductive accessory glands. In this study, we observed the egg masses laid by females of two species of Sialidae (alderflies), nine species of Chauliodinae (fishflies), and 23 species of Corydalinae (dobsonflies) belonging to the order Megaloptera and examined the functions of accessory gland substances coating the laid eggs. The female accessory gland is a single tube in alderflies and fishflies but a paired pouch in dobsonflies. The amount and color of the gland substances differ greatly among species. These substances prevent egg desiccation, inhibit egg feeding by ladybird beetles, and repel ants. Most characteristics of the egg mass structures and the effectiveness of accessory gland substances reflect the phylogeny of Megaloptera, although some differ among closely related taxa.

Mating, but Not Male Accessory Gland Products, Changes Female Response to Olfactory Cues in Anastrepha Fruit Flies.

Copulation and/or ejaculate components can alter female physiological state and female post-mating behavior. The objective of the present study was to determine if copulation and male reproductive accessory gland products (MAGs) modify the behavior of female Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart; Diptera: Tephritidae) in response to two stimuli: male-emitted pheromone and oviposition host volatiles. Olfactometry studies revealed that mated females of both A. ludens and A. obliqua have a stronger response for host volatiles compared to unmated females, which have a stronger response for male pheromone. We also examined olfactory responses of females mated to testectomized males who could transfer MAGs but not sperm. In both species, MAGs alone did not cause the change in the olfactory response observed after copulation, unlike what has been found in Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Females mated to testectomized males responded equally to the male sex pheromone or to host volatiles, thus suggesting that the whole ejaculate is needed to elicit the complete behavioral switch in olfactory response. The function of MAGs is still unknown in these two pests of economic importance. The response for host volatiles by mated females has implications for the development of baits and traps that should preferably attract and target this population.

Sperm viability, serological, molecular, and modified seminal plasma agglutination tests in the diagnosis of Leptospira in the semen and serum of bovine bulls.

The present study investigated the serum microscopic agglutination test (MAT) among 203 bovine bulls with reproduction by natural means, without apparent signs of orchitis or inflammation of accessory reproductive glands. Simultaneously, the semen of all bulls was subjected to sperm viability analysis and PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. PCR-positive results of semen samples were confirmed by sequencing. A modified seminal plasma agglutination (MSPA) test, replacing the blood serum of all bulls in the MAT with seminal plasma was performed as well. Eight (8/203 = 3.9%) semen samples from bulls were considered nonviable (necrospermia and azoospermia) without relation to the PCR diagnosis. No agglutinin titers were identified in MSPA test. A high frequency (132/203 = 65%) of leptospiral agglutinin titers was identified in the MAT, particularly for the Sejroe serogroup (Hardjo CTG, 100/203 = 49.3%; Wolffi 74/203 = 36.4%; Guaricura 72/203 = 35.5%; and Hardjoprajitno 56/203 = 27.6%). Three (3/203 = 1.5%) semen samples of bulls were positive in the PCR, but these results were not confirmed by sequencing. The high frequency of serovars from the Sejroe serogroup typically adapted to bovines indicates the need for measures for the prophylaxis/control of the pathogen on the sampled farms. Discrepancies among the MAT, sperm viability, and molecular detection of leptospires in semen highlight the need for a combination of methods to diagnose leptospirosis in bovine bulls. To our knowledge, modified seminal plasma agglutination is described for the first time here to investigate anti-Leptospira antibodies produced locally in the genital tract in the diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis among bulls that reproduce by natural means.

Histochemical Studies on the Male Accessory Glands of the Tenebrionid Beetle Blaps polychresta (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The aim of the presnt study is to describe the male accessory glands of the tenebrionid beetle Blaps polychresta using histochemical methods and to detect the nature of their secretions. In the adult male tenebrionid beetle Blaps polychresta, there is one pair of bean – shaped and other pair of long tubular accessory reproductive glands. Each bean – shaped gland consists of a single layer of secretory columnar epithelium, surrounded by a muscular coat which is highly tracheated and innervated. Each tubular gland consists of one type of secretory columnar epithelium, surrounded by thin muscular coat which is innervated and highly tracheated. The nuclei of secretory cells in both glands are situated in the basal zone. Histochemical tests of the bean – shaped glands indicate that the secretion of these glands is mainly composed of neutral mucopolysaccharide, glycogen, proteins and lipids. Histochemical tests of the tubular glands indicate the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharide and scanty acidic mucopolysaccharide secretion inside the lumen of these glands, the positive reaction for glycogen and proteins in the cells and secretion inside the lumen of these glands indicate the glycoprotein nature of the secretion.

Post-mating gene expression of Mexican fruit fly females: disentangling the effects of the male accessory glands.

Mating has profound physiological and behavioural consequences for female insects. During copulation, female insects typically receive not only sperm, but a complex ejaculate containing hundreds of proteins and other molecules from male reproductive tissues, primarily the reproductive accessory glands. The post-mating phenotypes affected by male accessory gland (MAG) proteins include egg development, attraction to oviposition hosts, mating, attractiveness, sperm storage, feeding and lifespan. In the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, mating increases egg production and the latency to remating. However, previous studies have not found a clear relationship between injection of MAG products and oviposition or remating inhibition in this species. We used RNA-seq to study gene expression in mated, unmated and MAG-injected females to understand the potential mating- and MAG-regulated genes and pathways in A. ludens. Both mating and MAG-injection regulated transcripts and pathways related to egg development. Other transcripts regulated by mating included those with orthologs predicted to be involved in immune response, musculature and chemosensory perception, whereas those regulated by MAG-injection were predicted to be involved in translational control, sugar regulation, diet detoxification and lifespan determination. These results suggest new phenotypes that may be influenced by seminal fluid molecules in A. ludens. Understanding these influences is critical for developing novel tools to manage A. ludens.

Justification of the technique of injecting access to the urinary organs and accessory reproductive glands in a rabbit

Justification of the technique of injecting access to the urinary organs and accessory reproductive glands in a rabbit

Proteomic Dissection of the Impact of Environmental Exposures on Mouse Seminal Vesicle Function

Seminal vesicles are an integral part of the male reproductive accessory gland system. They produce a complex array of secretions containing bioactive constituents that support gamete function and promote reproductive success, with emerging evidence suggesting these secretions are influenced by our environment. Despite their significance, the biology of seminal vesicles remains poorly defined. Here, we complete the first proteomic assessment of mouse seminal vesicles and assess the impact of the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Mice were administered acrylamide (25 mg/kg bw/day) or control daily for five consecutive days prior to collecting seminal vesicle tissue. A total of 5013 proteins were identified in the seminal vesicle proteome with bioinformatic analyses identifying cell proliferation, protein synthesis, cellular death, and survival pathways as prominent biological processes. Secreted proteins were among the most abundant, and several proteins are linked with seminal vesicle phenotypes. Analysis of the effect of acrylamide on the seminal vesicle proteome revealed 311 differentially regulated (FC ± 1.5, p ≤ 0.05, 205 up-regulated, 106 downregulated) proteins, orthogonally validated via immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Pathways that initiate protein synthesis to promote cellular survival were prominent among the dysregulated pathways, and rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR, p = 6.69E-07) was a top-ranked upstream driver. Oxidative stress was implicated as contributing to protein changes, with acrylamide causing an increase in 8-OHdG in seminal vesicle epithelial cells (fivefold increase, p = 0.016) and the surrounding smooth muscle layer (twofold increase, p = 0.043). Additionally, acrylamide treatment caused a reduction in seminal vesicle secretion weight (36% reduction, p = 0.009) and total protein content (25% reduction, p = 0.017). Together these findings support the interpretation that toxicant exposure influences male accessory gland physiology and highlights the need to consider the response of all male reproductive tract tissues when interpreting the impact of environmental stressors on male reproductive function.

Satyrization in Drosophila fruitflies.

The satyr of Greek mythology was half‐man, half‐goat, with an animal persona signifying immoderate sexual appetites. In biology, satyrization is the disruption of reproduction in matings between closely related species. Interestingly, its effects are often reciprocally asymmetric, manifesting more strongly in one direction of heterospecific mating than the other. Heterospecific matings are well known to result in female fitness costs due to the production of sterile or inviable hybrid offspring and can also occur due to reduced female sexual receptivity, lowering the likelihood of any subsequent conspecific matings. Here we investigated the costs and mechanisms of satyrization in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup of fruitflies. The results showed that D. simulans females experienced higher fitness costs from a loss of remating opportunities due to significantly reduced post‐mating sexual receptivity than did D. melanogaster females, as a result of reciprocal heterospecific matings. Reciprocal tests of the effects of male reproductive accessory gland protein (Acp) injections on female receptivity in pairwise comparisons between D. melanogaster and five other species within the melanogaster species subgroup revealed significant post‐mating receptivity asymmetries. This was due to variation in the effects of heterospecific Acps within species with which D. melanogaster can mate, and significant but nonasymmetric Acp effects in species with which it cannot. We conclude that asymmetric satyrization due to post‐mating effects of Acps may be common among diverging and hybridising species. The findings are of interest in understanding the evolution of reproductive isolation and species divergence.

Increased sperm production linked to competition in the maternal social environment.

Maternal or early life effects may prepare offspring for similar social conditions to those experienced by their mothers. For males, the ability to achieve mating and fertilization success is a key social challenge. Competitive conditions may therefore favour increased body size or ejaculate production in male offspring. We tested this experimentally by comparing reproductive traits of adult male bank voles (Myodes glareolus), whose mothers had experienced contrasting encounter regimes with female conspecifics while breeding. We found that daily sperm production rates and epididymis mass were significantly higher when dams had experienced more frequent encounters with female conspecifics. This response to maternal and early life experience was specific to sperm production and storage, with no evidence for effects on male body mass or the size of testes and accessory reproductive glands. Our findings reveal a potentially adaptive effect of maternal and early life experience on the development of sperm production, which is worthy of wider investigation.

Revealing mechanisms of mating plug function under sexual selection

Mating plugs are produced by many sexually reproducing animals and are hypothesized to promote male fertilization success under promiscuous mating. However, tests of this hypothesis have been constrained by an inability to discriminate ejaculates of different males in direct competition. Here, we use stable isotope labeling in vivo and proteomics to achieve this in a promiscuous rodent, Myodes glareolus We show that, although the first male's plug is usually dislodged, it can be retained throughout the second male's copulation. Retained plugs did not completely block rival sperm but did significantly limit their numbers. Differences in the number of each male's sperm progressing through the female reproductive tract were also explained by natural variation in the size of mating plugs and reproductive accessory glands from which major plug proteins originate. Relative sperm numbers in turn predicted the relative fertilization success of rival males. Our application of stable isotopes to label ejaculates resolves a longstanding debate by revealing how rodent mating plugs promote fertilization success under competitive conditions. This approach opens new opportunities to reveal cryptic mechanisms of postcopulatory sexual selection among diverse animal taxa.

The male reproductive accessory glands of the blister beetle Meloe proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Meloidae): Anatomy and ultrastructure of the cantharidin-storing organs

Blister beetles owe their name to their ability to release cantharidin, a blistering terpene, the highest concentration of which is retained in male accessory glands. The anatomy and ultrastructure of the three pairs of male reproductive accessory glands and the glandular region of the two vasa deferentia of Meloe proscarabaeus were investigated using light, electron and ion beam microscopy. All of the mesodermal glands here analysed share a common structural organization with an outer muscular layer and an inner glandular epithelium facing a broad lumen in which the secretory products are released. Developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi systems, abundant mitochondria, numerous secretory vesicles and a microvillated apical membrane are commonly found in the cells of different glandular epithelia, suggesting that all accessory gland pairs as well as the vasa deferentia are involved in an active synthesis. Nevertheless, each pair of glands appears specialized in the production of a specific set of substances, as suggested by the peculiarities in cellular ultrastructure and by the different aspect of the secretions stored in their glandular lumen. The above cited features of male accessory glands of M. proscarabaeus are compared with those of other beetles and some hints on their potential role in producing and/or concentrating cantharidin are provided.

Morphologic description of male reproductive accessory glands in a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I).

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a genetic disease caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase α-L-iduronidase (IDUA). IDUA degrades two types of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): heparan and dermatan sulfates, important components of extracellular matrix, with signaling and structural functions. The accumulation of GAGs results in progressive physiological impairments in a variety of tissues, making MPS I a complex and multisystemic disease. Due the advent of therapeutic strategies which have increased patients' life expectancy, our group have been investigating the effect of IDUA deficiency on the reproductive system. In the present study, we aimed to characterize some of the accessory glands of the male reproductive tract in an MPS I mouse model. We used 6-month-old Idua+/+ and Idua-/- male mice to evaluate the histology of the seminal vesicles and prostate. Interstitial deposits of GAGs and collagen fibers were also observed. Seminal vesicles were smaller in the Idua-/- group, regardless of the normal staining pattern of the epithelial cells, marked with antiandrogen receptor. The prostate of Idua-/- mice presented necrotic acini and increased deposition of collagen fibers in the interstitium. All glands presented evident deposits of GAGs in the extracellular matrix, especially inside vacuolated interstitial cells. We concluded that, at this stage of the disease, the prostate is the most damaged accessory gland and may therefore, be the first to manifest functional impairments during disease progression.

The Structure and Hormone Expression of Male Accessory Reproductive Glands of the Sunda Porcupine (Hystrix Javanica)

This research was to investigate the histological structure of male accessory reproductive glands of the Sunda porcupine and verify the presence of testosterone and Androgen Binding Protein (ABP) with immunolocalization. The research used three accessory reproductive gland samples of male Sunda porcupine. Tissues were processed using paraffin method and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Immunohistochemistry methods. The histological structure and distribution of testosterone and ABP were analyzed descriptively. This research showed that male accessory reproductive glands of the Sunda porcupine are seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. The seminal vesicle was lined by simple columnar epithelium, prostate was lined by simple columnar epithelium or simple cuboidal epithelium, and bulbourethral gland was lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The presence of testosterone was found in adenomere cells of seminal vesicle and prostate glands; and in interstitial tissue of bulbourethral gland. The presence of ABP was detected in the adenomere cells of the bulbourethral gland. The male accessory reproductive glands of Sunda porcupine has been identified which consist of seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. The immunolocalization of testosterone was found in adenomere cells of seminal vesicle and prostate glands, and ABP was detected in bulbourethral gland. Keywords: Androgen binding protein, Bulbourethral, Hystrix javanica , Prostate, Seminal vesicle, Testosterone DOI : 10.7176/ALST/78-04 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Seasonal expressions of prostaglandin E synthases and receptors in the prostate of the wild ground squirrel (Spermophilus dauricus)

The prostate gland is a male accessory reproductive gland, whose vitality and function are under tight regulation of different hormones. Prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) is one of the major products generated by the actions of cyclooxygenases (COX) and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) on arachidonic acid, and is involved in a number of physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we investigated the seasonal immunolocalizations and expressions of COX-1, COX-2 and PTGES, as well as PGE2 receptors (PTGERs) subtypes 1–4 (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4) in the prostate of the wild ground squirrel. Histological examination observed enlarged prostatic lumens in the breeding season and significantly shrunken lumens in the nonbreeding season. COX-1, COX-2, PTGES and PTGERs were mainly localized in epithelial and stromal cells in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The mRNA expression levels of Cox-1, Cox-2, Ptges, Ptger2 (encoding EP2) and Ptger4 (encoding EP4) were higher in the prostate of the breeding season than in the nonbreeding season. The relative mRNA levels of Cox-1, Cox-2, Ptges, Ptger2 and Ptger4 were positively correlated with prostatic weights. In addition, both the prostatic and plasma concentrations of PGE2 were significantly higher in the breeding season compared to the nonbreeding season. These results suggested that PGE2 synthesis and signaling might play an important autocrine or paracrine role in the regulation of seasonal changes in the prostatic function of the wild ground squirrel.