title: Changes in Testicular Interstitial Connective Tissue of Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) During Ageing and After Exposure to Short Photoperiod.
abstract: The testicular interstitium of Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was studied during ageing and in testicular regression after exposure to a short photoperiod, in relation to the interstitial cells and their connective tissue. This tissue was assessed histochemically using Masson's trichrome technique and the expression of Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP-47) and collagen IV (α5) was assessed in Leydig cells. Finally, an ultrastructural analysis of some cells of the testicular interstitium was made. Leydig cells were positive for HSP-47 and collagen IV (α5). Ageing did not change the parameters studied while the short photoperiod altered the synthetic activity of Leydig cells. The positivity index of these cells for HSP-47 was significantly higher in the regressed testis, but was lower for collagen IV (α5). During ageing no change were observed. Ultrastructural Leydig cells showed a discontinuous basal lamina that did not change during ageing. The basal lamina was not identified in Leydig cells regressed by exposure to a short photoperiod. In conclusion; the intertubular connective tissue suffers little change with age. By contrast, in the testis regressed after exposure to a short photoperiod the studied parameters related to the intertubular connective tissue were altered. These changes are probably related with the low synthetic activity of regressed Leydig cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beltrán-Frutos
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seco-Rovira
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Hernández
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Madrid
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology UFI11/44, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Sáez
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistic, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canteras
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Aging Institute, IMIB-Arrixaca, School of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pastor
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000032:analysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D050958:HSP47 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000502:physiology*; D017440:Photoperiod; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D050958:HSP47 Heat-Shock Proteins