title: Effects of mouse testicular extract on immunocompetent cells.
abstract: We investigated mouse testicular extract (TE) to clarify its biological functions in reproductive immunity. TE, at concentrations of 50-300 micrograms/ml, enhanced macrophage activities of spreading, glucose consumption, and cytostasis against a susceptible tumor cell line. On the other hand, TE inhibited concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T-cell blastogenesis in the dose range of 10-600 micrograms/ml. To elucidate the origin of TE, W/Wv mice, which genetically lack germ cells, were used. TE obtained from W/Wv mice enhanced the spreadability of macrophages and inhibited Con A-induced blastogenesis of T cells. The enhancement of macrophage spreading was only achieved by the interstitial fluid (IF), while the suppression of Con A-induced T-cell responses was detected in seminiferous tubule fluid (STF) as well as in IF. TE did not affect listerial antigen-specific responses of lymphocytes in vitro. These results suggest that TE has the capacity to regulate the biological responses associated with reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Nara Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yagyu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsui
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashiba
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D007121:Immunocompetence; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012098:Reproduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic