help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Middendorff, R.
Right arrow Articles by Davidoff, M. S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Middendorff, R.
Right arrow Articles by Davidoff, M. S.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 82, No. 12 4154-4161
Copyright © 1997 by The Endocrine Society

Original Studies

Evidence for Production and Functional Activity of Nitric Oxide in Seminiferous Tubules and Blood Vessels of the Human Testis1

R. Middendorff, D. Müller, S. Wichers, A. F. Holstein and M. S. Davidoff

Institute of Anatomy (R.M., S.W., A.F.H., M.S.D.) and Institute for Hormone and Fertility Research (D.M.), University of Hamburg, 20246 Hamburg, Germany

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Ralf Middendorff, Institute of Anatomy, University of Hamburg, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.

Previous studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) influences Leydig cell function. Here we provide evidence for NO production and activity in seminiferous tubules and blood vessels of the human testis. By immunohistochemistry, the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), the intracellular NO receptor, and the second messenger, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), were detected in myofibroblasts of the peritubular lamina propria in Sertoli cells, as well as in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of testicular blood vessels. Performed with isolated tubules and blood vessels, the biological activity of sGC could be proved by cGMP generation in response to treatments with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside. The endothelial and neuronal subtypes of NO synthase (NOS) were localized immunohistochemically to the same cell types that express sGC and cGMP. In isolated tubules and vessels, the presence of endothelial NOS and neuronal NOS was confirmed by immunoblotting, and NOS activity was demonstrated by decreased cGMP production upon incubation with the NOS inhibitor L-nitro arginine methylester. These findings show that peritubular cells, Sertoli cells, and testicular blood vessels may be sites of NO production and activity, possibly involved in relaxation of seminiferous tubules and blood vessels to modulate sperm transport and testicular blood flow, respectively.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
C. Schell, M. Albrecht, C. Mayer, J. U. Schwarzer, M. B. Frungieri, and A. Mayerhofer
Exploring Human Testicular Peritubular Cells: Identification of Secretory Products and Regulation by Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha}
Endocrinology, April 1, 2008; 149(4): 1678 - 1686.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
Y. Kondo, T. Ishikawa, K. Yamaguchi, T. Yada, and M. Fujisawa
Oral Administration of Tetrahydrobiopterin Attenuates Testicular Damage by Reducing Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity in a Cryptorchid Mouse Model
J Androl, March 1, 2008; 29(2): 153 - 163.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
M. Mewe, I. Wulfsen, A. M. E. Schuster, R. Middendorff, G. Glassmeier, J. R. Schwarz, and C. K. Bauer
Erg K+ channels modulate contractile activity in the bovine epididymal duct
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2008; 294(3): R895 - R904.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ReproductionHome page
M. Mewe, I. Wulfsen, R. Middendorff, and C. K Bauer
Differential modulation of bovine epididymal activity by oxytocin and noradrenaline
Reproduction, September 1, 2007; 134(3): 493 - 501.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
A. Jankowska, B. Burczynska, T. Duda, J. B. Warchol, and R. K. Sharma
Calcium-Modulated Rod Outer Segment Membrane Guanylate Cyclase Type 1 Transduction Machinery in the Testes
J Androl, January 1, 2007; 28(1): 50 - 58.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Mewe, C. K. Bauer, J. R. Schwarz, and R. Middendorff
Mechanisms Regulating Spontaneous Contractions in the Bovine Epididymal Duct
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2006; 75(4): 651 - 659.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
M. Mewe, C. K. Bauer, D. Muller, and R. Middendorff
Regulation of Spontaneous Contractile Activity in the Bovine Epididymal Duct by Cyclic Guanosine 5'-Monophosphate-Dependent Pathways
Endocrinology, April 1, 2006; 147(4): 2051 - 2062.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
N. P.Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, C.-h. Wong, and C. Y. Cheng
Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics in the Testis Via the Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS)/cGMP/Protein Kinase G (PRKG)/{beta}-Catenin (CATNB) Signaling Pathway: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Biol Reprod, September 1, 2005; 73(3): 458 - 471.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
F. Shi and T. Wang
Stage- and Cell-Specific Expression of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Alpha and Beta Subunits, cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase I Alpha and Beta, and Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel Subunit 1 in the Rat Testis
J Androl, March 1, 2005; 26(2): 258 - 263.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
T. Ishikawa, Y. Kondo, K. Goda, and M. Fujisawa
Overexpression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Transgenic Mice Accelerates Testicular Germ Cell Apoptosis Induced by Experimental Cryptorchidism
J Androl, March 1, 2005; 26(2): 281 - 288.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
D. Muller, A. K. Mukhopadhyay, R. C. Speth, G. Guidone, R. Potthast, L. R. Potter, and R. Middendorff
Spatiotemporal Regulation of the Two Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Receptors in Testis
Endocrinology, March 1, 2004; 145(3): 1392 - 1401.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
N. P.Y. Lee and C. Y. Cheng
Nitric Oxide/Nitric Oxide Synthase, Spermatogenesis, and Tight Junction Dynamics
Biol Reprod, February 1, 2004; 70(2): 267 - 276.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
N. P. Y. Lee and C. Yan Cheng
Regulation of Sertoli Cell Tight Junction Dynamics in the Rat Testis via the Nitric Oxide Synthase/Soluble Guanylate Cyclase/3',5'-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate/Protein Kinase G Signaling Pathway: an in Vitro Study
Endocrinology, July 1, 2003; 144(7): 3114 - 3129.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Romeo, R. Ientile, P. Impellizzeri, N. Turiaco, M. Teletta, P. Antonuccio, M. Basile, and C. Gentile
Preliminary report on nitric oxide-mediated oxidative damage in adolescent varicocele
Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2003; 18(1): 26 - 29.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Endocr. Rev.Home page
A. Revelli, D. Ghigo, F. Moffa, M. Massobrio, and I. Tur-Kaspa
Guanylate Cyclase Activity and Sperm Function
Endocr. Rev., August 1, 2002; 23(4): 484 - 494.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
R. Middendorff, D. Muller, M. Mewe, A. K. Mukhopadhyay, A. F. Holstein, and M. S. Davidoff
The Tunica Albuginea of the Human Testis Is Characterized by Complex Contraction and Relaxation Activities Regulated by Cyclic GMP
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2002; 87(7): 3486 - 3499.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Pathol.Home page
Y. Wang, D. C. Newton, T. L. Miller, A.-M. Teichert, M. J. Phillips, M. S. Davidoff, and P. A. Marsden
An Alternative Promoter of the Human Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Is Expressed Specifically in Leydig Cells
Am. J. Pathol., January 1, 2002; 160(1): 369 - 380.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
K. Shiraishi, K. Naito, and K.-i. Yoshida
Nitric Oxide Promotes Germ Cell Necrosis in the Delayed Phase after Experimental Testicular Torsion of Rat
Biol Reprod, August 1, 2001; 65(2): 514 - 521.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Battaglia, S. Giulini, G. Regnani, R. Di Girolamo, S. Paganelli, F. Facchinetti, and A. Volpe
Seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate and intratesticular Doppler flow in fertile and infertile subjects
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2000; 15(12): 2554 - 2558.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
R. Middendorff, M. Kumm, M. S. Davidoff, A. F. Holstein, and D. Müller
Generation of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate by Heme Oxygenases in the Human Testis--A Regulatory Role for Carbon Monoxide in Sertoli Cells?
Biol Reprod, August 1, 2000; 63(2): 651 - 657.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 1997 by The Endocrine Society