Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Accessory sex gland'

Orientador: Frederico Ozanam Papa
Resumo: Os garanhões possuem um conjunto completo de glândulas sexuais acessórias, compostas pelas bulbouretrais, a próstata, vesículas seminais e ampolas dos ductos deferentes. Dentre as afecções que acometem essas estruturas, a vesiculite seminal é a de maior ocorrência, consistindo na colonização de uma ou ambas as vesículas por bactérias, sendo a Pseudomonas aeruginosa a mais frequente. No ejaculado é observada uma grande percentagem de neutrófilos e hemácias podem estar presentes, caracterizando os quadros de piospermia e hemospermia, respectivamente. O diagnóstico definitivo é realizado por meio da endoscopia das vesículas, onde é possível visualizar o conteúdo purulento, associado à cultura bacteriana do lavado da glândula. O tratamento é desafiador, pois a antibioticoterapia apresenta baixa eficácia. Visto a importância desta enfermidade e a dificuldade do tratamento, este estudo teve como objetivo abordar os principais aspectos e avaliar a eficácia do ácido metacresolsulfônico e formaldeído para o tratamento da vesiculite seminal em garanhões, considerando os parâmetros seminais e características histopatológicas das vesículas seminais. Três garanhões adultos (n=3), com aspectos reprodutivos normais, tiveram a vesiculite seminal induzida por Pseudomonas aeruginosa através da endoscopia. Após 8 semanas de infecção, foi realizado tratamento local utilizando solução a 30% do ácido metacresolsulfônico e formaldeído (Lotagen®). O experimento consistiu em avaliações semanais, ante... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Stallions have a complete set of accessory sex glands, composed of the bulbourethral, prostate gland, seminal vesicles and ampullae. Among the diseases that affect these structures, seminal vesiculitis is the most frequent, consisting the colonization of one or both vesicles by bacteria, whose Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent. In ejaculate is observed a large percentage of neutrophils and erythrocytes may be present, characterizing piospermia and hemospermia, respectively. The definitive diagnosis is made through the endoscopical evaluation of the seminal vesicles, where it is possible to visualize the purulent contents, associated to gland lavage and bacterial culture. Treatment is challenging because antibiotic therapy is ineffective. Considering the importance of this disease and the difficulty of treatment, this study aims to address the most important aspects and evaluate the efficacy of metacresolsulfonic acid and formaldehyde for the treatment of vesiculitis in stallions, considering seminal parameters and histopathological characteristics. Three adult stallions (n = 3), with normal reproductive aspects, had seminal vesiculitis induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa through endoscopy. After 8 weeks of infection, local treatment was performed using 30% solution of metacresolsulfonic acid and formaldehyde (Lotagen®). The experiment consisted of weekly evaluations, before and after experimental infection and after treatment. The characteristics of semen and seminal ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Membrane-bound vesicle secretion provides a novel intercellular communication mechanism, whose roles and regulation remain poorly characterised, particularly in vivo. I have identified two classes of lipid-containing, vesicle-like structures secreted into seminal fluid by epithelial cells of the Drosophila male accessory gland (AG). Exosomes, one class of membrane-bound vesicle formed inside late endosomal multivesicular bodies, are specifically secreted by secondary cells (SCs). The unusual cell biology of SCs allowed me to develop a powerful new high resolution in vivo system to characterise the mechanisms underlying intracellular membrane trafficking events underlying exosome biogenesis using real-time live imaging. I characterise how specific ESCRTs (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) control SC exosome biogenesis, and identify a novel role for BMP signalling in regulating endolysosomal trafficking events necessary for exosome secretion. I also identify roles for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling in exosome biogenesis. Importantly, SC exosomes are transferred to females during mating. Here, they fuse with sperm, mirroring in vitro interactions between human prostate exosomes and sperm, and interact with the female reproductive tract epithelium. Blocking SC exosome production specifically suppresses post-mating effects on female receptivity to remating, demonstrating that exosomes have an important reproductive signalling function in vivo, directly or indirectly reprogramming female cells. Finally, I show that main cells, the major epithelial AG cell type, shed lipid-containing microvesicle-like structures from their apical surface. Remarkably, these vesicles carry the seminal peptide, sex peptide, into females during mating and also contribute to the anterior mating plug. In summary, my data reveal previously unsuspected roles for exosomes and microvesicles in Drosophila reproduction that may be evolutionarily conserved. Since these vesicles mediate physiological processes previously thought to involve soluble peptides, my work suggests that current models explaining male reprogramming of female behaviours in flies and higher organisms need substantial revision.

Ho Wing Ki Vicky.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-211).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Abstracts --- p.i
Abstracts in Chinese --- p.iii
Acknowledgements --- p.v
Table of Abbreviations --- p.vi
Table of Contents --- p.ix
List of Figures and Tables --- p.xiv
Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.1. --- The Male Accessory Sex Glands --- p.2
Chapter 1.1.1. --- The Prostatic Complex --- p.4
Chapter 1.1.2. --- The Coagulating Gland --- p.4
Chapter 1.1.3. --- The Seminal Vesicles --- p.5
Chapter 1.1.4. --- The Ampullary Gland --- p.6
Chapter 1.1.5. --- The Cowper's gland --- p.6
Chapter 1.1.6. --- The Littre's Gland --- p.7
Chapter 1.2. --- The Uterus --- p.7
Chapter 1.2.1. --- The Structure of Uterus --- p.7
Chapter 1.2.2. --- The Endometrium --- p.8
Chapter 1.3. --- Identifications of Proteins by Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis and Matrix-assisted Laser Adsorption / ionization Time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry --- p.9
Chapter 1.3.1. --- Principle of Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis --- p.9
Chapter 1.3.2. --- Principle of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry --- p.11
Chapter 1.4. --- Hypothesis and Aim of this Study --- p.12
Chapter 1.4.1. --- Hypothesis --- p.13
Chapter 1.4.2. --- Aim --- p.13
Legends and Figures --- p.14
Chapter Chapter 2 --- The Effect of Omission of Male Accessory Sex Gland Secretions on Post Coital Uterine Fluid --- p.17
Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.18
Chapter 2.1.1. --- Uterine Fluid at the Time of Mating --- p.18
Chapter 2.1.2. --- Ventral Prostate Secretory Proteins --- p.20
Chapter 2.1.3. --- Proteins Specifically Bind to Sperm Membrane --- p.22
Aim of Study --- p.23
Chapter 2.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.24
Chapter 2.2.1. --- Animal Model --- p.24
Chapter 2.2.1.1. --- Female golden hamsters --- p.24
Chapter 2.2.1.2. --- Male golden hamsters --- p.25
Chapter 2.2.2. --- Collections of Biological Samples --- p.26
Chapter 2.2.2.1. --- Female Hamster Serum --- p.26
Chapter 2.2.2.2. --- Uterine Fluid --- p.26
Chapter 2.2.2.3. --- Uterine Tissues --- p.27
Chapter 2.2.2.4. --- Ejaculated Sperm in Uterus --- p.27
Chapter 2.2.2.5. --- ASG Secretions --- p.27
Chapter 2.2.2.6. --- ASG Tissues --- p.28
Chapter 2.2.2.7. --- Epididymal Sperm --- p.28
Chapter 2.2.3. --- Isolation and Purification of Sperm Binding Ventral Prostate Proteins (SBVPP) --- p.28
Chapter 2.2.3.1. --- Plasma Membrane Protein from Epididymal Sperm --- p.28
Chapter 2.2.3.2. --- Affinity Chromatography --- p.29
Chapter 2.2.3.3. --- FPLC Gel Filtration --- p.30
Chapter 2.2.4. --- Histology of Flushed Uterus --- p.30
Chapter 2.2.5. --- Quantification of Protein --- p.31
Chapter 2.2.6. --- Two dimensional Electrophoresis --- p.31
Chapter 2.2.6.1. --- First DimensiońؤIsoelectric Focusing --- p.32
Chapter 2.2.6.2. --- Second DimensiońؤSDS PAGE --- p.32
Chapter 2.2.6.3. --- Visualization of Protein Spots --- p.33
Chapter 2.2.7. --- Identification of Proteins --- p.34
Chapter 2.2.7.1. --- Protein Spots Detection --- p.34
Chapter 2.2.7.2. --- MALDI-TOF --- p.34
Chapter 2.2.7.2.1. --- In-Gel Digestion for MALDI-TOF --- p.34
Chapter 2.2.7.2.2. --- MALDI-TOF Analysis --- p.35
Chapter 2.2.7.2.3. --- MALDI-TOF Data Analysis --- p.36
Chapter 2.2.8. --- Confirmation of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) --- p.37
Chapter 2.2.9. --- Confirmation of Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) --- p.37
Chapter 2.2.10. --- Confirmation of Tumor Necrosis Factor Stimulated Gene-6 (TSG-6) --- p.37
Chapter 2.2.11. --- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) --- p.38
Chapter 2.3. --- Results --- p.39
Chapter 2.3.1. --- Morphology of Flushed Uterus --- p.39
Chapter 2.3.2. --- Protein Concentration --- p.39
Chapter 2.3.3. --- "Serum, Pre and Post Coital Uterine Fluid Protein Profiles" --- p.39
Chapter 2.3.4. --- ASG Secretory Proteins and Their Fate After mating --- p.40
Chapter 2.3.4.1. --- ASG Secretory Proteins and 1 hp.c. Uterine Fluid --- p.40
Chapter 2.3.4.2. --- VP Secretory Proteins and SBVPP --- p.40
Chapter 2.3.4.3. --- PAP and PSA --- p.41
Chapter 2.3.5. --- Protein Profile at 1 h p.c --- p.41
Chapter 2.3.6. --- Protein Profile at 4 h p. c --- p.42
Chapter 2.3.7. --- Identification of Proteins Differentially Expressed by the Three Groups at 1 h p .c --- p.43
Chapter 2.3.7.1. --- Confirmation of TSG-6 --- p.43
Chapter 2.3.8. --- SEM --- p.44
Chapter 2.4. --- Discussion --- p.45
Chapter 2.5. --- Conclusion --- p.55
Legends and Figures --- p.56
Chapter Chapter 3 --- The Effect of Omission of Male Accessory Sex Glands Secretions on Periimplanation Uterine Fluid Proteins --- p.114
Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.115
Chapter 3.1.1. --- Cytokine & Growth Factor --- p.115
Chapter 3.1.1.1. --- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) --- p.115
Chapter 3.1.1.2. --- Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) --- p.116
Chapter 3.1.1.3. --- Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) --- p.116
Chapter 3.1.1.4. --- Interleukin 1 (IL-1) --- p.117
Chapter 3.1.1.5. --- Adhesion Molecule --- p.118
Chapter 3.1.2. --- Uterine Secretory Proteins --- p.118
Chapter 3.1.2.1. --- Estrogen Dependent Protein --- p.119
Chapter 3.1.2.2. --- Progestin-Dependent Endometrial Protein --- p.120
Chapter 3.1.2.3. --- Uteroglobin --- p.121
Chapter 3.1.2.4. --- Uteroferrin --- p.122
Chapter 3.1.2.5. --- Prolactin --- p.123
Chapter 3.1.2.6. --- Glycodelin --- p.123
Chapter 3.2. --- Aim of Study --- p.124
Chapter 3.3. --- Method and Materials --- p.124
Chapter 3.3.1. --- Animal and Surgery --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.2. --- Collection of Biological Samples --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.2.1. --- Uterine Fluid --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.2.2. --- Uterine Tissue --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.3. --- Quantification of Protein --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.4. --- Two Dimensional Electrophoresis --- p.125
Chapter 3.3.5. --- Identification of Proteins --- p.126
Chapter 3.3.6. --- Confirmation of Growth Differentiation Factor-8 (DGF-8) by PCR --- p.126
Chapter 3.3.7. --- Confirmation of GDF-8 by Western Blotting --- p.126
Chapter 3.4. --- Results --- p.128
Chapter 3.4.1. --- Protein Concentration --- p.128
Chapter 3.4.2. --- 60 Hours Post Coitum --- p.128
Chapter 3.4.2.1. --- Protein Profile --- p.128
Chapter 3.4.2.2. --- Differentially Expressed Protein Spots and Proteins Identification --- p.129
Chapter 3.4.3. --- 72 Hours Post Coitum --- p.129
Chapter 3.4.3.1. --- Protein Profile --- p.129
Chapter 3.4.3.2. --- Differentially Expressed Protein Spots and Proteins Identification --- p.130
Chapter 3.4.3.3. --- Confirmation of Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) --- p.130
Chapter 3.5. --- Discussion --- p.132
Chapter 3.6. --- Conclusion --- p.139
Legends and Figures --- p.140
Chapter Chapter 4 --- General Conclusion --- p.186
Chapter 4.1. --- Conclusion --- p.187
Chapter 4.2. --- Further Studies --- p.190
References --- p.191
Appendices --- p.212

Chan Oi Chi.
"May 2004."
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-310)
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Conclusion. Taken together, paternal factors carried in ASG secretion affect genomic imprinting of developing embryos. The outcome of research work described here deepens our understanding of the role of ASG in maximizing reproductive performance mediated by regulating the epigenetic marks of the genome and in particular the imprinted genes.
Introduction. Our previous in vivo studies in golden hamster have shown the accessory sex glands (ASG) secretion facilitate the development of embryos to term but the underlying mechanism is still not clear. Since the deleterious effect caused by the lack of sperm exposure to ASG secretion is heritable to developing fetus and even after birth, we hypothesized that the paternal factor carried in ASG secretion may change the epigenetic regulation and in particular the imprinted genes of embryonic genome.
Materials and methods. Golden hamster and ICR mouse were used in this study. Hamster is a well-established animal model to study the effect of individual ASG but the genetic background of hamster is poorly known. To verify the specificity of our molecular probe and antibodies used in hamster, a mouse model was also established. Five groups of male hamsters and two groups of male mice were established by surgical treatment. In hamster, (SH) sham-operated, (VPX) ventral prostate-removed, (TX) all ASG-removed, (VPVX) castrated with ASG-removed except ventral prostate and (VX) castrated with intact ASG were established. In mouse, SH and VPX were established. In single-mating of hamster, male was copulated with female at estrus for 15 min. In double-mating of hamsters, female mated with each male for 10 min each. In single-mating of mouse, male was caged with female for 1 h. Epididymal sperm, uterine sperm, fertilized oocytes, pre-implantation embryos and fetuses at 13 days gestation (E13) were collected. Global DNA methylation of sperm, fertilized oocytes, early embryos and E13 fetuses were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence and DNA dot-blot using antibody against methylated DNA. Using the same technique, histone acetylation at lysine 5 residue was detected in male pronuclei of fertilized oocytes, protamine 1 and 2 content were detected in sperm, DNA methyltransferase 1, 3a and 3b activities were detected in early embryos. The crown-rump length and weight of fetuses were measured. Morphology was also examined under scanning electron microscope. Two sets of co-ordinately regulated but oppositely expressed imprinted genes Igf2/H19 and Dlk1/Gtl2 were investigated. H19 differentially methylated region (DMR) and Gtl2 promoter were examined by bisulfite sequencing in sperm and E13 fetuses. Expression of Igf2 and Dlk1 were examined by in situ hybridization and real-time PCR in pre-implantation embryos and E13 fetuses.
Results. Uterine sperm in VPX and TX groups showed no change of DNA methylation level and protamine 1 and 2 content. Fertilized oocytes in VPX and TX groups showed similar DNA methylation level as SH group in both hamster and mouse. Histone hypoacetylation was observed in male pronuclei of hamster but not in mouse. Early embryos in VPX and TX groups showed abnormal level of DNA methylation and Dnmt3b during embryo development in hamster. Replenishment of ASG secretion to sperm from VPX and TX group by double-mating restored the DNA methylation level to normal in early embryos. E13 fetuses of VPX and TX groups in hamster and VPX group in mouse showed DNA hypomethylation. E13 fetuses of VPX group in hamster showed increase in average crown-rump length and body weight with larger variations between individuals. One E13 fetus of VPX group in mouse showed polydactyly and malformation in the head. Real-time PCR showed abnormal expression of Igf2 and Dlk1 in both pre-implantation embryos and E13 fetuses of VPX and TX groups. Bisulfite sequencing showed hypermethylation of H19 DMR in VPX and TX groups of hamster and hypomethylation of Gtl2 promoter in VPX group of mouse.
"August 2007."
Adviser: Pak Ham Chow.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4739.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-224).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstract in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.