title: Taenia crassiceps: A secretion-substance of low molecular weight leads to disruption and apoptosis of seminiferous epithelium cells in male mice.
abstract: The present research was performed to isolate and study the effects of a low molecular weight (<1300Da) parasite-associated substance, obtained from peritoneal fluids of female mice infected with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, on seminiferous epithelium cells of male mice testis. The results showed an intense disruption of Sertoli cells and germ cells within the seminiferous tubules of experimental mice, along with the destruction of their gap junction (GJ). Significant generalized apoptosis of germ cells within seminiferous tubules was determined by TUNEL staining (P=0.0159). In addition, a significant number of infiltrating macrophages were found in the luminal space of these seminiferous tubules (P<0.0001). Finally, electron microscopy studies revealed structural and morphological abnormalities in the somatic cells (Sertoli and Leydig cells) and in the germ cells, primarily in the round and elongate spermatids.
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Zepeda
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Copitin
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Solano
authors: Ana M
authors: AM
authors: Fernández
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Tato
authors: José L
authors: JL
authors: Molinari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000469:parasitology; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D003552:Cysticercus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014462:Ultrafiltration