Sperm disposal system in spermatic granuloma: a link with superoxide radicals.
Spermatic granulomas are believed to maintain "physiological harmony" in the male reproductive tract by maintaining a balance of hydrostatic pressure post-vasectomy. The mechanism for the disposal of deposited spermatozoa in the granuloma core is not clear. A fourfold rise in the production of superoxide along with ascorbyl and dienyl radicals and a 50% drop in the production of nitric oxide (NO) radicals by granuloma tissue hints that a reaction between NO and superoxide radicals could lead to the formation of peroxynitrite species which may contribute to the disposal of spermatozoa in the granuloma core. A higher protease activity and low hypoxanthine content in the granuloma indicates that a free radical driven sperm disposal system is active in granulomas.
Chatterjee
S
S
School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India. chattopadhyay.subhra@mayo.edu
Rahman
M M
MM
Laloraya
M
M
Kumar
G P
GP
D000818:Animals; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000201:enzymology; D014659:Vasectomy
D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010450:Endopeptidases