We mapped the cellular expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and ER mRNAs in the male reproductive system of the rat during development and adulthood by in situ hybridization. The expression patterns of ER mRNA in the gonad, efferent duct and initial segment of the epididymis during the perinatal period were essentially similar to those of the adult: ER mRNA signals were expressed most intensely...

We evaluated a biodegradable graft for reconstruction of rat vasa deferentia with long obstructed or missing segments. A total of 47 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral vasectomy and were divided into groups according to length of the vas deferens affected (0.5, 1, 1.5 cm). After 8 weeks, poly-(D,L-lactide) (PDLA) grafts were used to reconnect the vas deferens. Grafts and adjoining vasa def...

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a major mechanism underlying morphogenetic events that sculpt the developing embryo. Prominent examples of cell death during vertebrate development include refinement of the immune system, specification of neuronal projections, formation of digits, and tail resorption during amphibian metamorphosis (see Jacobson et al., 1997). Müllerian duct regression is a...

Studies were conducted to assess (a) the pH and motility of semen removed from the ductus (d.) deferens and receptaculum from males sexually rested 1 wk, (b) the pH, motility, and sperm concentration of semen after each successive ejaculation (ejaculated 3 or 5 times at 30-60 min intervals) and (c) the rate of semen replenishment and the fertility of the replenished semen after emptying the d. ...

Among rat peripheral tissues examined, Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptor binding is highest in the vas deferens, with levels about 25% of those of the cerebellum. We have purified the InsP(3) receptor binding protein from rat vas deferens membranes 600-fold. The purified protein displays a single 260 kDa band on SDS/PAGE, and the native protein has an apparent molecular mass of 1000 kDa, the same as in c...

Insertion of a copper wire into the vas deferens of male rats released 4 micrograms of copper in themid portion of the vas deferens in two days time. In urethral and epidymal segments of the vas deferens copper released was less than one microgram. The present study demonstrates that the in vivo effects of 4 microgram of copper in 2 days time in the vas deferens are enough to induce antifertili...

CD10 has recently been described as a marker that can distinguish wolffian duct derivatives from müllerian remnants but has yet to be tested in vasectomy specimens. We sought to determine if CD10 and pankeratin could corroborate the presence of vas deferens (VD). For the study, 103 consecutive vasectomy specimens were immunohistochemically analyzed for CD10, pankeratin, and CD31 expression in l...

Repair of congenital groin hernia/hydrocele and orchidopexy for the undescended testis are the most common surgical procedure performed by pediatric surgeons. Up to 1% of all men have been reported to have a congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD).1 Previous studies have suggested that ipsilateral renal anomalies are present in up to 91% of men with a congenital unilateral abs...

The rate and degree of subsensitivity development to morphine (mu-opioid receptor, preferred, but not selective agonist) and U50488H (highly selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist) were assessed in vitro on guinea pig ileum (GPI) of cholestatic animals 2, 5, and 7 days after bile duct ligation. In addition to this phenomenon of morphine, the effects of U50488H and SNC 80 (highly selective delt...

the effects of adenosine,5-n-ethylcarbox-amidoadenosine (neca), 2-chloroadenosine (2-ca), n6-phenyiisopropyladenos'tne (l-pia and d-pia) and n6 -cyclohexyladenos'tne (cha) were examined on the mouse isolated vas deferens. all the compounds in a concentration-dependent manner inhibited electrically induced contrac¬tions. ic of adenosine and its analogues were 13.68 ± 5.97 for ado, 0.736 ± 0.087 ...