Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Male genital organs'

A potencialidade da produção de inúmeras espécies silvestres vem sendo pesquisada em todo mundo, demonstrando que estas podem se transformar em fontes renováveis de produtos de grande rentabilidade. Alguns espécimes vêm sendo explorados indiscriminadamente como fonte de proteína de origem animal, como o preá (Galea spixii) que já está sendo criado com objetivo de manejo e reprodução, com repercussão econômica. Para perspectiva de produção comercial e de preservação da espécie, tem de haver estudo das diversas etapas do desenvolvimento testicular, especialmente daquelas associadas à puberdade e a maturidade sexual na reprodução. Assim, o presente projeto desenvolvido teve como objetivo avaliar os detalhes ultraestruturais dos componentes dos compartimentos testiculares, a evolução do processo espermatogênico e os aspectos relativos à evolução dos demais órgãos da via espermática em preás em diferentes fases do ciclo reprodutivo. Fragmentos testiculares e da via espermática de preás machos em diferentes idades foram coletados no Centro de Multiplicação da Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, RN, por ocasião do projeto de IC (Processo FAPESP n º 08/57190-8). O material coletado foi processado para microscopia de luz, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. As observações e eletromicrografias sub-celulares e de superfície foram realizadas nos microscópios eletrônicos de transmissão e varredura do Setor de Anatomia da FMVZ/USP. Dados microscópicos revelaram a presença de espermatozoides no lúmen do túbulo seminífero e do epidídimo aos 45 dias de idade. O desenvolvimento das células de Sertoli e Leydig está diretamente relacionado com a entrada à puberdade dos preás. Os estádios de desenvolvimento sexual em preás podem ser classificados nas seguintes fases: impúbere (zero e 15 dias), pré-púbere (30 dias), púbere (45, 60, 75 e 90 dias de idade) e pós-púbere (120 e 150 dias).
The production capability of many wild species has been researched worldwide, demonstrating that these can turn into renewable products with high profitability. Some specimens have been indiscriminately exploited as a source of animal protein, such as the cavy (Galea spixii) that is already created with the purpose of handling and reproduction, with economic impact. To view the commercial production and preservation of the species, there must be study of the various stages of testicular development, especially those associated with puberty and sexual maturity in reproduction. Thus, this project was developed to evaluate the ultrastructure details of the components of testicular compartments, the evolution of the spermatogenic process and aspects of the evolution of spermatic via in spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Testicular fragments and spermatic via the male spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy at different ages were collected Multiplication Center of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido, Mossoró, RN, at the Scientific Initiation Project (FAPESP Process No. 08/57190-8). The collected material was processed for light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The observations and photomicrographs cellular and surface were performed in transmission and scanning electron microscopes of the Department of Anatomy FMVZ / USP. Microscopic data revealed the presence of spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule and epididymis at 45 days old. The development of Sertoli and Leydig cells are directly related to the entry of puberty in spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy. The stages of sexual development in spix\'s yellowtoothed cavy may be classified into the following phases: impuberal (zero and 15 days), prepubertal (30 days), pubertal (45, 60, 75 and 90 days old) and post pubertal (120 and 150 days).

In the present work I analysed different aspects of the evolution of genus Limnebius (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae), including its molecular evolution using mitochondrial (COI, 16S, tRNA-leu, NAD1) and nuclear markers (18S, 28S) as well as morphological data, for which I measured more than 3000 exemplars from 123 species. The study concentrated on the shape of the male genitalia, as the species of Limnebius are extremely uniform in their external characters. In the molecular phylogeny, which included 65 species and was obtained with BEAST, there were two principal branches, coinciding with the ancient separation into two subgenera. In the one of those subgenera, Limnebius s.str., the male genitalia have an extreme variability, with from one up to seven appendages. Other than the median lobe with the spermiduct and the lateral lobes (parameres) typical of the genitalia of Coleoptera, there are up to four additional appendages, sometimes crossing each other. In the second subgenus, Bilimneus, except for one species male genitalia consist only of the median lobe. Other than differences in the male genital structure, Limnebius s.str. is more variable in body size and sexual dimorphism: in this subgenus males could be bigger or smaller than females, while among Bilimneus males are always smaller, and have no secondary sexual characters. In general a large body size is associated with larger males, presence of secondary sexual characters such as modifications of the abdomen or posterior tibias, and more complexity of the male genitalia. There are, however, some exceptions caused by secondary loss of characters, first of all, according the phylogenetic reconstructions, large body size. The size of the male genitalia is also associated with its complexity, but less than with body size, and with more random evolutionary changes. The reconstruction of the ancestral body size for each of the subgenera show that in the origin it was larger in Limnebius s.str. than in Bilimneus, and this could be the reason for the differences in evolution. This reason may not be sufficient, but we have no other evidence for the differences between the evolution of the two subgenera. Differences could also be due to the structure of the parameres, which in Limnebius s.str. are separated from the medial lobe, but we have no precise data to support this hypothesis. The complexity of the male genitalia in Limnebius s.str. evolved in two different forms, with different consequences for the morphological changes: in one (L. parvulus group) its seems that size of the body and genitalia increased before the complexity, and in the other (L. nitidus group) it seems that the complexity is less dependent on the size. Complexity was secondarily lost in one of the subgroups, which could be an indication of character saturation. Other than these differences there are also structural difference in complexity, formed by structures completely different between the two groups. Their homology is possible, but it is not obvious even in the histological serial sections.
En la presente tesis he analizado varios aspectos de la evolución del genero Limnebius (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae): molecular (utilizando los marcadores mitocondriales COI, 16S, tRNA-leu, NAD1 y los nucleares 18S y 28S) de 65 especies y morfológica, utilizando mas de 3,000 ejemplares de 123 especies. En el árbol molecular hay dos ramas principales que coinciden con la antigua separación en dos subgéneros: Limnebius s.str., cuya genitalia masculina tiene una enorme variabilidad, con desde uno hasta 7 apéndices; y Bilimneus, que con la excepción de una especie sólo tienen la pieza principal por donde pasa el espermiducto. Limnebius s.str varía más en el tamaño del cuerpo y en el dimorfismo sexual: los machos pueden ser mas pequeños o mas grandes de las hembras, mientras que en Bilimneus los machos siempre son más pequeños y sin caracteres sexuales secundarios. El cuerpo grande está asociado a machos más grandes, presencia de caracteres sexuales secundarios, como modificaciones en el abdomen y en las tibias posteriores, y una mayor complejidad de la genitalia masculina. Hay pérdidas de complejidad secundarias, sobre todo del tamaño del cuerpo. El tamaño de la genitalia masculina esta asociado con su complejidad, pero menos que el tamaño del cuerpo, y cambia de forma más aleatoria. La reconstrucción del tamaño del cuerpo ancestral muestra que en su origen Limnebius s.str. era más grande que Bilimneus, lo que podría ser la razón de las diferencias en su evolución, así como la estructura de los parámetos, que en Limnebius s.str. están siempre más o menos separados de la pieza principal. La complejidad de la genitalia en Limnebius s.str. evolucionó de dos formas distintas, con diferentes consecuencias para los cambios morfológicos: en una (grupo de L. parvulus) el tamaño de cuerpo y la genitalia parece que aumentan antes que la complejidad, y en la otra (grupo de L. nitidus) parece que la complejidad depende menos del tamaño, aunque en uno de los subgrupos se pierde, lo que puede ser una indicación de su saturación. Hay estructuras aparentemente completamente diferentes entre estos dos grupos, cuya homología es posible pero no se puede apreciar en cortes histológicos.

Estudou-se a posição e morfologia dos órgãos genitais masculinos de dez pacas-machos adultas; cinco espécimes fixados em solução aquosa de formol a 10% foram estudados macroscopicamente; de cinco espécimes foram coletados fragmentos dessas estruturas, que após procedimento usual para a inclusão em paraplast e historesina, foram analisados microscopicamente. Externamente identificou-se o escroto na época da migração dos testículos que apresentavam parênquima estruturado em túbulos seminíferos em cuja membrana basal repousava o epitélio germinativo; estes órgãos também podiam estar na cavidade abdominal ou no trajeto inguinal. O pênis fibroelástico localizava-se na região púbica, em direção caudal, sua glande, revestida por epitélio queratinizado, era recoberta pelo prepúcio, abaixo deste verificou-se uma estrutura delgada cartilagínea com bordas serreadas; um par de espículas ósseas estavam em um saco ventral à uretra, cuja mucosa era revestida por epitélio de transição. O ducto epididimário, revestido por epitélio pseudo-estratificado e cúbico simples, apresentava-se enovelado na cabeça, continuava-se em corpo e cauda, da qual se originava o ducto deferente, revestido por epitélio estratificado colunar. As glândulas genitais acessórias pares: vesiculares, prostáticas, coaguladoras e bulbo uretrais, estruturavam-se como glândulas mucosas desembocando na uretra pélvica.
The position and morphology of the male genitals of ten adult male pacas were studied; five especimens were fixed in aqueous solution of 10% formol and studied microscopically. From five especimens were collected fragments of these structures that after this usual proceeding to the inclusion in paraplaster and historesin they were analysed microscopically. Externally, we could identify the scrotum in the age of migration of testicle that presented structured parenchyma in seminiferous tubules which the basal menbrane reposed the germinative epithelium; these organs could be in the abdominal cavity or in the inguinal course. The fibroelastic male organ is located in the pubic region, in direction to tail, its gland, covered by keratinous epithelium was recovered by prepuce, under this we can find one thin cartilaginous structure with serried boards; one pair of osseous espícules were in the ventral sack until urethra which mucous was covered by epithelium of transition. The epidermal duct was covered by a pseudo- stratified epithelium and cubic simple, and it was coiled in the head, it was kept the body and the tail which one the referent duct originated, covered by pseudo- stratified epithelium columnar. The genital glandulas accessories: Vesicular, prostate, coagulative and urethral bulb, estructured like mucous glandulas emerging to pelvic urethra.

Foram utilizados dez jacarés - do - Pantanal (Caiman crocodylus yacare), machos de faixa etária juvenil; sete espécimes foram destinados ao estudo macroscópico e os outros três foram utilizados para o estudo microscópico de luz. Após a abertura da cavidade pleuroperitoneal foi observado e identificado que os testículos são em pares e apresentam-se aderidos a parede dorsal da cavidade pleuroperitoneal. O epidídimo é alongado e muito enovelado, encontra-se na extremidade cranial do testículo, seguindo medialmente até sua extremidade caudal, onde inicia-se com o ducto deferente e posterior abertura na cloaca. O falo tem um formato tubular de aspecto cônico, mostrando ser um órgão com breve resistência, porém é flexível e possuem características de tecido cartilaginoso. Na microscopia de luz foi observada que, o testículo é limitado pela túnica albugínea. Os túbulos seminíferos são extremamente contorcidos e em seus espaços estão preenchidos por tecido intersticial e células de Leydig. Encontram-se na rede testicular túbulos revestidos por epitélio cubóide. Os ductos do epidídimo são revestidos pelo epitélio pseudo-estratificado não ciliado que variam entre células cúbicas e prismáticas. Os ductos deferentes caracterizam-se por apresentar uma luz estreita revestida pelo epitélio pseudo-estratificado prismático não ciliado. O falo é revestido pelo epitélio estratificado escamoso não queratinizado e envolto por tecido conjuntivo.
Ten Young-aged male Pantanal alligators (Caiman crocodylus yacare) were used; seven specimes were destinated to macroscopic study and the other three were used in the study of light microscopy. After the opening of the pleuroperitoneal cavity, we observed and identified that testes are in pairs and adhered to the dorsal wall of the pleuroperitoneal cavity. The epididymis is long and very convoluted. It is found in the cranial extremity of the testis, following medially until its caudal extremity, where it is initiated with ductus deferens and posterior opening in the phallus. Phallus has a tubular shape in conic aspect showing to be an organ with little resistence, but it is flexible and has features of cartilaginous tissue. In the light microscopy we observed that the testis is limited by the tunica albuginea. The seminiferous tubules are extremely convoluted and its spaces are filled with intersticial tissue and Leydig cells. Tubule lined with cuboidal epithelium are found in the rete testis. The ductus epididymus are lined with by non-ciliated pseudostratified epithelium to columnar cells. Ductus deferens show a very narrow light lined by the non-ciliated columnar pseudostratified epithelium. Phallus is lined by the non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and connective tissue.

Para a realização dos estudos macro e microscópico das glândulas anexas à uretra, foram utilizadas doze capivaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) machos e adultos. Dez animais para estudo macroscópico e dois para o estudo histológico, dos quais foram coletados fragmentos das glândulas acessórias, imersos em solução fixadora de Bouin, lavados, cuidadosamente, em alcool de 70° ao absoluto. A seguir, foram submetidos aos processos histológicos de rotina e corados pelos métodos de Hematoxilina/Eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. Os resultados morfológicos encontrados foram: o ducto deferente possui um espessamento da parede, onde a luz permanece inalterada e sem presença de epitélio granular, abrindo na uretra, ao nível do colículo seminal. A glândula vesicular é par, tubular e seu ducto forma, na uretra o óstio ejaculador com o ducto deferente (colículo seminal) e possui um epitélio secretor do tipo pseudo-estratificado cilíndrico. A prostática é uma estrutura par, dividida em vários lobos (glândula tubular multilobada), com formato variável, e seus ductos abrem-se mediante duas pregas adjacentes ao óstio ejaculatório na uretra; e sua mucosa possui pregueamentos altos e ramificados, revestidos por epitélio pseudo-estratificado cilíndrico.
For the realization of the macro and microscopical studies on the glands annexed to the urethra, twelve capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) were used, males and adults. Ten animals for the macroscopical study, and two for the hystological study, from which fragments of the annexed glands were collected, imersed in Bowin fixing solution, carefully washed in absolute 70° alcohol. Afterwards, they underwent the routine histological processes and died by the Hematoxilin/Eosin and Masson\'s Tricomic methods. The morphological resuts found were: the deferent duct has a wall thickening, where light remains unchanged and whithout presence of granular epithelium, opening in the urethra at the seminal coliculum . The vesicular gland is in pair, tubular and its duct forms, in the uretra, the ejaculatory ostium with the deferent duct (seminal coliculum) and has a secretory epithelium of the pseudostratified cilindrical kind. The prostate is in pair, divided into several lobus (multilobated tubular gland), with varying shape and its ducts open at two folds adjacent to the ejaculatory ostium in the urethra and its mucosa has high and ramified folds, lined with pseudostratified cilindrical epithelium.

Sotalia fluviatilis é o único Delphinidae que ocorre em água doce, sendo endêmico da região amazônica. É considerada pela IUCN como espécie insuficientemente conhecida (dados deficientes), estando incluída no Apêndice I da CITES como espécie ameaçada de extinção. Atualmente, vem sendo alvo de caça ilegal para utilização como isca na pesca de um bagre, conhecido como piracatinga. Sendo assim, toda medida para melhor compreensão da biologia desta espécie é de suma importância para assegurar medidas eficazes de conservação no futuro. Neste trabalho foi realizada a descrição morfológica dos órgãos genitais masculinos do tucuxi, através de analises de amostras provenientes dos acervos do Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá e do Instituto de Pesquisas da Amazônia. Estas foram analisadas através de técnicas macroscópicas, de microscopia óptica e de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os órgãos genitais masculinos do tucuxi são compreendidos por grandes testículos e epidídimos típicos, presos à cavidade abdominal pelo mesórquio. Os ductos deferentes são convolutos nas regiões proximais e retos nas suas poções distais, possuindo um pequeno útero masculino entre eles. A próstata é pequena e compacta, coberta pelo músculo compressor da próstata, e envolve toda a uretra pélvica. O pênis é fibroelástico, possuindo uma flexura sigmóide em espiral e a extremidade livre afilada. Os pilares do pênis estão inseridos em pequenos ossos pélvicos, sendo que associados à raiz do pênis estão os músculos isquiocavernoso, bulboesponjoso e retrator do pênis. Em geral, a estrutura macro e microscópica, a localização e a função destes órgãos é semelhante à outras espécies da Ordem Cetacea, com exceção de alguns detalhes.
Sotalia fluviatilis is endemic in Amazon region and the only Delphinidae living in freshwater. It is considered by IUCN as an insufficiently known specie (deficient data) and is included in CITES Appendices I as a threatened specie. Additionally, this species is currently hunted and used as bait for fishing practices of a catfish called piracatinga. Thus, all efforts directed toward understanding the biology of this animal are important and may help to implement future conservation strategies. In the present study, samples of males tucuxi\'s genital organs provided by Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá and Instituto de Pesquisas da Amazônia were analyzed by gross and microscopic techniques and by scanning electron microscopy. The male tucuxi\'s genital organs are represented by big testes and a typical epididymis that is adhered to the abdominal cavity wall by the mesorchium. The ductus deferens are convoluted in the proximal region and straight in the distal portion, and a small uterus masculinus is located between them. The prostata is small, compact, covered by the prostate compressor muscle, and totally involves the pelvic urethra. The penis is fibroelastic and characterized by a spiral sigmoid flexure that ends in a tapering cone. The crura are inserted on small pelvic bones, and the ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus and retractor penis muscles are associated to the base of the penis. In general, the structure, location and function of these organs are similar to other Cetacea species, except about some details.

The morphology of the internal male genitalia of selected genera of Melanoplinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) was studied. A detailed comparison of these structures was carried out, in an attempt to identify new characters that may be useful in analyzing relationships between the members of the subfamily. Twenty-two genera were examined, mostly of North American distribution, using one exemplar species for each of them. Standard dissection and drawing techniques were followed. The epiphallus and the apical parts of the aedeagus were found to be the most important taxonomic characters. The genera Aptenopedes and Buckellacris were highly divergent from the rest of the melanoplines, while the close relationship between Appalachia, Dendrotettix and Podisma was confirmed by genital characters. Internal male genitalic characters did not provide significant support for many currently recognized tribes and subtribes, suggesting that there is a great need for reclassification in the subfamily.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide and, as a result, is universally found in environmental and human matrixes. Bisphenol A is a known endocrine disruptor that acts as an estrogen agonist and an androgen antagonist. Due to health concerns, BPA is being phased out and replaced by other bisphenol analogues structurally similar to BPA. To date, there have been little to no studies showing the effects of BP analogues on the reproductive organ development of male mice. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effects of BPA and selected analogues (including BPB, BPE, and BPS) on the reproductive organ development in male mice, and determine preliminary toxicity threshold levels, such as the lowest-observed-effect-dose (LOED) and no-observed-effect-dose (NOED). Exposure to BPA, BPB and BPE via subcutaneous injection at a dose of 10 μg/g body weight (bw)/day each significantly caused a decrease in anogenital distance and glans penis length in male mice. Testis weight was also significantly reduced by BPA and BPE. Although BPS did not cause an effect on the glans penis length, anogenital distance or testis weight, histology work indicated that the spines on the glans penis were at a different developmental stage than the control. A similar result was seen with BPA on the glans penis spines. The LOED and NOED of BPA affecting anogenital distance, penis length, or testis weight were determined to be 10 and 5 μg/g bw/day, respectively. These LOED and NOED values are preliminary for BPA, because only five dose levels are used. Further research is needed to estimate more accurate threshold levels for the studied endpoints for BPA as well as other bisphenol analogues. The results indicated that some bisphenol analogues (BPB and BPE) showed comparable effects to BPA on the reproductive organ development of male mice, including anogenital distance and penis length. This could be indicative of more severe reproductive issues later in life and raised a concern on the safety of using these analogues to replace BPA in consumer products. More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms of the observed effects on genetic or molecular levels, determine what the long-term adverse effects of bisphenol analogues are to the reproductive system of male mice, and determine whether similar effects will be seen at dose levels comparable to human exposure rates.

The supraspinal control of descending inhibition of genital reflexes (such as ejaculation) is poorly understood but is important in our global comprehension of how neural signals are integrated to produce sexual behavior, and in our understanding of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunctions, such as premature ejaculation/delayed ejaculation in men, and involuntary vaginal spasms, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia in women, are common. An underlying dysregulation of genital reflexes may produce these dysfunctions, especially in those individuals being treated for depression and anxiety with serotonergic drugs. The nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi) of the rat medulla has been described as a descending inhibitory system for genital reflexes in rats, and a homologue is known in humans. Through retrograde tracing of nPGi afferents with the tracer Fluorogold in rats, we found that a number of brain regions implicated in sexual behavior, such as the medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray (PAG) provide sexually dimorphic projections to the nPGi, and that many of these regions contain receptors for gonadal steroids and are active during sexual behavior. We also found that excitotoxic lesions of the nPGi with N-methyl-D-aspartate facilitate male sexual behavior by reducing the number of intromissions required for ejaculation, and decreasing ejaculation latency. In females, such lesions attenuated sexual behavior by reducing the amount of time the female spent mating and reducing the reinforcement value of vaginocervical stimulation. Lastly, we found that by removing the source of serotonin to the nPGi (from the ventrolateral PAG) with the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-DHT in male rats, we were able to mimic the effects of nPGi lesions and facilitated male sexual behavior indicating that serotonin neurotransmission at the level of the nPGi is critical for genital reflex control. Taken together our results indicate that the nPGi is an important site of integration of internal signals for the regulation of sexual behavior that is sexually dimorphic and under serotonergic control. Our understanding of normal and dysfunction genital reflex control, and possible treatment options in people, is complemented by these results.

"April 2004."
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 158-181).
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.

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.

Cheung King Ho.
"August 2004."
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-158).
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.