Morphofunctional evaluation of stem spermatogonia during seasonal spermatogenesis of bullfrog

• Grant number: 09/17895-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2010 - May 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Estela Sasso Cerri
• Grantee: Estela Sasso Cerri
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in amphibians change according to the seasonal cycle. In Winter, the interstitial Leydig cells are scarce and quiescent. However, in the seminiferous lobules, the primordial germ cells (PG) are strongly testosterone-immunolabeled. In some toads, it has been demonstrated that testosterone is converted into estrogen by aromatase enzyme, and that estrogen play an important role on the spermatogenic process. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the serum testosterone levels as well as to localize testosterone in the PG cytoplasm and to verify how this hormone is maintained in these cells: via androgen receptor (AR) or androgen binding proteins (SHBG/ABP). Moreover, the mitotic activity (PCNA) of PG as well as a possible role of aromatase in these cells will also be evaluated. Adult male bullfrogs will be collected in Winter (WG; n=8) and summer (SG; n=8). The tests will be fixed and embedded in historesin and paraffin. In the paraffin sections, the following immunohistochemical reactions will be carried out: GFRalfa-1 (a stem cell marker for PG), SHBG/ABP, AR, aromatase and PCNA. The mitotic activity of PG will be evaluated by the quantification of the number of EP/mm2 of seminiferous lobules as well as by the number of PCNA-positive PG. With the aim to identify the localization of testosterone in PG, some testicular fragments will be prepared for analysis under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The ultrathin sections will be submitted to immunocytochemistry for detection of testosterone and analyzed under TEM. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CANEGUIM, BRENO HENRIQUE; DA LUZ, JULIANA SILVA; VALENTINI, SANDRO ROBERTO; CERRI, PAULO SERGIO; SASSO-CERRI, ESTELA. Immunoexpression of aromatase and estrogen receptors beta in stem spermatogonia of bullfrogs indicates a role of estrogen in the seasonal spermatogonial mitotic activity. General and Comparative Endocrinology, v. 182, p. 65-72, FEB 1 2013. (09/17895-5)

KOSHIMIZU, JULIANA Y.; BELTRAME, FLAVIA L.; DE PIZZOL, JR., JOSE P.; CERRI, PAULO S.; CANEGUIM, BRENO H.; SASSO-CERRI, ESTELA. NF-kB overexpression and decreased immunoexpression of AR in the muscular layer is related to structural damages and apoptosis in cimetidine-treated rat vas deferens. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, v. 11, APR 9 2013. (10/02409-5, 09/17895-5)

CANEGUIM, BRENO HENRIQUE; BELTRAME, FLAVIA LUCIANA; DA LUZ, JULIANA SILVA; VALENTINI, SANDRO ROBERTO; CERRI, PAULO SERGIO; SASSO-CERRI, ESTELA. Primordial Germ Cells (Spermatogonial Stem Cells) of Bullfrogs Express Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Steroid Receptors during Seasonal Spermatogenesis. Cells Tissues Organs, v. 197, n. 2, p. 136-144, 2013. (09/17895-5)

DIAS, ANDRESSA BAGGIO; DE OLIVEIRA, SALMO AZAMBUJA; CERRI, PAULO SERGIO; SASSO-CERRI, ESTELA. Bilateral asymmetry in bullfrog testes and fat bodies: correlations with steroidogenic activity, mast cells number and structural proteins. ACTA HISTOCHEMICA, v. 124, n. 3, p. 16-pg., 2022-03-11. (09/17895-5, 17/19829-6, 14/21383-8)