title: Macrophage populations in L-cysteine-induced rat sperm granulomas.
abstract: Histopathologically, sperm granulomas consist of a central mass of degenerating spermatozoa surrounded by many epithelioid macrophages and lymphocytes. Using monoclonal antibodies (ED1, ED2, and OX6), the authors investigated immunohistochemically the participation of different macrophage populations in epididymal sperm granulomas induced in pubertal rats by repeated injection of L-cysteine. Monocyte-like and epithelioid macrophages expressed the ED1 antigen found on activated lysosomal membranes in rat blood monocytes and exudate macrophages, but did not express the ED2 antigen found on the membrane antigens of rat resident macrophages. Cells expressing MHC class II antigens (as detected by the OX6 antibody) were present in the granulomas in moderate numbers, particularly in the early stages. Ultrastructurally, fragmented spermatozoa were observed in the cytoplasm of epithelioid macrophages. These findings suggest that macrophages appearing in rat sperm granulomas originate mainly from blood monocytes, and that they have a high phagocytic activity and a potential for antigen presentation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, Drug Safety and Metabolism, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, 115 Tateiwa, Muya-cho, Naruto, Tokushima 772-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sawamoto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamate
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuwamura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurisu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000276:immunology; D003545:Cysteine / Q000633:toxicity*; D053331:Ectodysplasins; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D053331:Ectodysplasins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D003545:Cysteine