Cytokines in the BALB/c mouse testis in various conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether testosterone, estrogens, vasectomy, experimental cryptorchidism, varicocele or aging would induce changes in the cytokine environment of the mouse testis.


METHODS
In adult male BALB/c mice, testosterone implants, estradiol benzoate, vasectomy, unilateral cryptorchidism, unilateral varicocele were administered/performed. The mice were followed up for different periods of time and were then sacrificed with testes incised for examination. The control mice received the vehicle or sham-operation.


RESULTS
IL-10 was present in Leydig cells of nearly every testis and IL-10 + macrophages in 39% of testes. IL-6 was found in the testes of intact adult mice, mice treated with testosterone for 70 days, cryptorchid testes and sham-operated testes.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that IL-10 might be involved in the generation of the immunologically privileged microenvironment in the testis.
Department of Anatomy, University of Turku, Finland. esolve@utu.fi
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Veräjänkorva
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Martikainen
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Pöllänen
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism; D014659:Vasectomy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol