title: Role of Ca2+ and cAMP in rat spermatogenesis--ultrastructural evidences.
abstract: On the ultrastructural level, the role of Ca2+ and cAMP in the rat spermatogenesis was studied. Using a K-pyroantimonate method for intracellular localization of Ca2+, precipitates were found within (i) the vesicular component of the chromatoid body, (ii) vesicular elements of the trans-Golgi area including coated vesicles, (iii) smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and cisterns accompanying the perinuclear (manchette) microtubules, and (iv) mid-piece mitochondria of germ and Sertoli cells. The results suggest a close relationship between the Ca(2+)-containing smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the control of microtubule assembly within microdomains. Theophylline (a cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor) treatment of rats (96 mg/kg daily i.p. over 5 days) caused a significant increase of (a) the GERL-related coated vesicles and (b) the number of manchette microtubules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Histology, Varna Institute of Medicine, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Andonov
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Chaldakov
mesh_terms: D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000965:Antimony; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C009133:pyroantimonate; D000965:Antimony; D013806:Theophylline; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; D002118:Calcium