Effects of castration on thiol status in rat spermatozoa and epididymal fluid

Molecular Reproduction and Development
J SeligmanR Shalgi

Abstract

Mammalian spermatozoa gain their fertilizing ability as they mature in the epididymis, a process which is accompanied by oxidation of sperm protein thiols. Since sperm maturation is dependent upon normal androgenic support to the epididymis, the present work was designed to study the effects of castration on thiol status. Spermatozoa and epididymal fluid were isolated from the epididymides of male rats 5 days after castration or after 11 daily injections of the antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate. Spermatozoa and epididymal fluid were labeled with the fluorescent thiol labeling agent monobromobimane. Intact spermatozoa were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, protein thiols were analyzed by electrophoresis, and fertilizing ability was examined after insemination of sperm suspension into the uterine horns of immature superovulated female rats. We found that both treatments resulted in an increase in cauda sperm thiols as shown by increased fluorescence in the intact spermatozoa. Protamines and nonbasic proteins were found to have increased levels of reactive thiols. The protein profiles of epididymal fluid from castrated rats were different from those of the controls, and the fluorescence patterns corresponded to the protein pro...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1979·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·N S KosowerH M Ranney
Sep 1, 1978·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·G W RobbG J Killian
Sep 1, 1992·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·O ImanishiS Kamidono
Nov 1, 1991·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·J Seligman, R Shalgi
Mar 1, 1988·Biology of Reproduction·M K Holland, M C Orgebin-Crist
Oct 29, 1986·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·M GusseP Chevaillier
Mar 1, 1985·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·A Din-UdomC Pholpramool
Aug 1, 1974·Biology of Reproduction·J M Cummins, M C Orgebin-Crist
Jul 1, 1981·Physiological Reviews·D E Brooks
Jul 1, 1983·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·C PellicciariM G Manfredi Romanini
Jun 1, 1982·International Journal of Andrology·L S Mayorga, F Bertini
Nov 1, 1982·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·C PholpramoolB P Setchell
Sep 1, 1981·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·R ShalgiP F Kraicer
Jul 1, 1994·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·J SeligmanR Shalgi
Jan 1, 1994·Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity·M Bendahmane, A Abou-Haila
Feb 18, 1994·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·R J Levine

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.