• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2016

Cytological changes of the epithelial cells according to the developmenatal phases of the seminal vesicle related to the spermatogenic stages in the testicular lobules during spermagenesis in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) cumingii (Gastropoda: Buccinidae) were investigated monthly by electron microscopical and histological observations. N. (B) cumingii is dioecious, and an internal fertilization species. The male genital organ is located near the tentacles. The spermatozoon is approximatley $50{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubles at the periphery and one pair at the center. The process of germ cell development during spermatogenesis can be divided into five succesive stages: (1) spermatogonia, (2) primary spermatocytes, (3) secondary spermatocytes, (4) spermatids, and (5) spermatozoa. A considerable amount of spermatozoa make their appearance in the testicular lobules (or acini) and some of them are tranported from the testis towards the seminal vesicles until late July. In this study, the developmental phases of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of N. (B.) cumingii could be classified into four phases: (1) S-I phase (resting), (2) S-IIphase (early accumulating), (3) S-III phase (accumulating), and (4) S-IV phase (spent). However, in case of N. (B.) arthritica cumingii, the developmental phases of the seminal vesicle were devided into three phases: (1) resting, (2) accumulating and (3) spent. Granular bodies in the inner layer of the seminal vesicles are involved in resorption of digestion of residual spermatozoa.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2005

The ultrastructure of germ cells during spermatogenesis and the structural changes in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle with testicular development in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii were investigated monthly based on electron microscopic and histologic observations. N. arthritica cumingii (Gastropod: Buccinidae) undergoes internal fertilization and possesses a modified type of spermatozoon, which is approximately 20$\mu$m long. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine peripheral pairs of microtubules and one central pair. Many spermatozoa occur in the acini of the testis in the ripe stage and are transported to the seminal vesicles in the accumulating phase. In males, the monthly gonadosomatic index began to increase in September and reached a maximum in February. Subsequently, it decreased rapidly after April. The testis of this species can be classified into four developmental stages: the active (August to September), ripe (October to July), copulation (April to July), and recovery (July to August) stages. Structural changes in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of this species could be classified into three phases: (1) S-I (resting), (2) S-II (accumulating), and (3) S-III (spent) phases. The morphology and structure of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle differed in each phase; the cells were cuboidal, squamous, or columnar in the resting, accumulating, or spent phases, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2008

Recent studies have documented that testosterone relaxes several smooth muscles by modulating $K^+$ channel activities. Smooth muscles of seminal vesicles playa fundamental role in ejaculation, which might involve testosterone. This study was aimed to assess the role of testosterone in seminal vesicular motility by studying its effects on contractile agents and on the ion channels of single vesicular myocytes in a rabbit model. The contractile responses of circular smooth muscle strips of rabbit seminal vesicles to norepinephrine ($10{\mu}M$), a high concentration of KCI (70 mM), and testosterone ($10{\mu}M$) were observed. Single vesicular myocytes of rabbit were isolated using proteolytic enzymes including collagenase and papain. Inside-out, attached, and whole-cell configurations were examined using the patch clamp technique. The applications of $10{\mu}M$ norepinephrine or 70 mM KCl induced tonic contractions, and $10{\mu}M$ testosterone (pharmacological concentration) evoked dose-dependent relaxations of these precontracted strips. Various $K^+$ channel blockers, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA; $10{\mu}M$), iberiotoxin ($0.1{\mu}M$), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, $10{\mu}M$), or glibenclamide ($10{\mu}M$) rarely affected these relaxations. Single channel data (of inside-out and attached configurations) of BK channel activity were also hardly affected by testosterone ($10{\mu}M$). On the other hand, however, testosterone reduced L-type $Ca^{2+}$ currents significantly, and found to induce acute relaxation of seminal vesicular smooth muscle and this was mediated, at least in part, by $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition in rabbit.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.263-270
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• 1995

Creatine(Cr) and phosphocreatine(PCr), the important mediators of intracellular high-energy phosphate buffer system, were found in the tissues of mouse seminal vesicle and also in the extracellular fluids of seminal vesicle secretion. This study was performed m confirm that the secretion and accumulation of Cr and PCr is regulated by testosterone and its $5{\alpha}$-reduced metabolite, $5{\alpha}$-dihydrotestosterone(DHT). In addition, the effect of nandrolone decanoate(ND), a synthetic anabolic steroid, on the levels of Cr and PCr in the seminal vesicle was compared with those of testosterone propionate(TP) and DHT. Male Swiss-Webster mice were castrated and three groups of the castrates were treated with daily injection(sc) of same molar dose($1.45{\times}10^{-8}mol/g\;BW$) of TP, DHT, or ND. All three androgens rapidly increased weights of seminal vesicle tissue and fluid, and also increased concentrations of Cr and PCr in the tissue and fluid. However, ND was least effective in increasing seminal vesicle weights, whereas ND was as effective as, or in some cases, more effective than, TP or DHT in increasing Cr and PCr levels in the tissue and fluid. The results confirm that the accumulation of Cr and PCr in the seminal vesicles is regulated by testosterone and DHT, and also suggest that the effects of androgens on seminal vesicle growth and secretory activity may be differentiated.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.355-365
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• 2019

The morphogenetically matured spermatozoa (sperm) are generated in the testes by the spermatogenesis. They travel male reproductive tract with many substances secreted from the accessory reproductive organs. One of the substances is the semenogelin (SEMG) released from the seminal vesicles that is involved in the post-testicular maturation. The expression of SEMG gene was investigated in seminal vesicle tissues of sexually matured and regressed male Syrian hamsters by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The SEMG gene was uniquely identified in the seminal vesicles of the matured Syrian hamsters and compared to the genes reported previously. But the expression of SEMG gene was not observed in reproductively and completely regressed testes of Syrian hamsters. These results indicate that the expressions of the SEMG gene are related to the reproductive capability in the male Syrian hamsters.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.39-42
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• 1974

Despite a considerable amount of investigation there continues to be disagreement concerning the proteins present in human seminal plasma. Recently their identification has assumed a greater importance following evidence that infertility in men and women may have an immunological cause (Katsh, 1959; Quinlivan, 1969). Seminal plasma is composed of fluids secreted by the prostate, seminal vesicles, ampullae, ducti deferentes, bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands, urethral(Littre's) glands and the epididymes. Prostatic juice, one of the major components of seminal plasma, has an important role in secretion of acid phosphatase and prostaglandin. A few studies have been reported of human prostatic juice, since, in human subjects, there were some problems in studying prostatic juice due to quite small amount of secretion and possibility of contamination with fluids from the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts. The purpose of the present study was to determine the basic components of proteins in human prostatic juice. Prostatic juice was obtained from normal healthy man of $20{\sim}30\;year-old$ by massage of the prostate, and protein components were separated by means of disc electrophoresis. The results are summarized as follows; 1) Total numbers of protein fractions of normal human serum and prostatic juice are $14{\sim}18$ bands and $9{\sim}12$ bands, respectively. Prostatic juice produces two deeply staining bands which appear similar to those formed by $beta-_1$ globulin and albumin. 2) $Alpha-_1$ globulin area in the fractions of prostatic juice shows 4 bands and one more band is found than that of serum. On the other hand, the fractions of immunoglobulin and $alpha-_2$ globulin areas are eight in serum and it has three bands more than that of prostatic juice. 3) $Alpha-_1$ globulin area in the prostatic juice is more deeply stained than that of serum. In contrast with $alpha-_1$ globulin area, immunoglobulin and $alpha-_2$ globulin areas in the prostatic juice show weaker staining than serum.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2016

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle is an extremely rare disorder, with only two cases reported in the English literature. Here, we present imaging findings of a case of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle. On transrectal ultrasonography, the mass presented as a 3.0-cm-sized heterogeneous, hypoechoic lesion in the right seminal vesicle. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass with rim-like enhancement in the right seminal vesicle. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor showed iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously intermediate-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The tumor showed rim-like and progressive enhancement with non-enhancing portion on dynamic scanning. Diffusion restriction was observed in the mass. On fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) imaging, a high standardized uptake value (maxSUV, 23.5) by the tumor was noted exclusively in the right seminal vesicle.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2015

Germ cell development and cyclic changes in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle of the male rapa whelk, Rapana venosa, were investigated by cytological and histological observations. The process of germ cell development can be classified into five stages: (1) spermatogonial, (2) primary spermatocyte, (3) secodary spermatocyte, (4) spermatid, and (5) spermatozoon. In particular, four atypical cells (Type IA, IB, IIA and IIB cells) occur among normal germ cells in the acini during spermatogenesis. Presumably, the atypical cells, which have lysosome-like vacuoles or lysosome-like bodies in the cells, are involved in breakdown and absorption themselves in the acini. However, atypical cells were not found in the epithelial cells of the inner layer of the seminal vesicle. A considerable amount of spermatozoa are transported from the testis towards the the seminal vesicles until late July. The main coupulation period is between June and July. The process of the cyclical changes of the seminal vesicles can be classified into three phases: (1) resting, (2) accumulating, and (3) spent. Yellow granular bodies are involved in resorption or digestion of residual spermatozoa.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 1986

The investigation aimed to study the effects of methanol fraction of licorice (FM 100) and glycyrrhizin on prostaglandin synthetase activity, in relation to their analgesic effects. Effects of FM 100 and glycyrrhizin on the activity of prostaglandin synthetase extracted from bull seminal vesicles were examined by the modified method of Takeguchi et al. The analgesic effect of FM 100 was tested in mice by the acetic acid writhing method. FM 100 was administered orally to mice. BSV prostaglandin synthetase activity was inhibited significantly by FM 100 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the activity was slightly inhibited by glycyrrhizin. Statistically significant analgesic effects were also observed with FM 100. The results suggest that analgesic effect of licorice may be due to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2002

In recent reports, the multiple reproductive defects such as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, epididymal cysts, low sperm counts, and testicular cancers are increased in humans, and these changes were doubted by the chemicals with estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities in our environment. To compare the effects of neonatal exposure of di (n-butyl) phthalate and flutamide on the development of reproductive organs and to identify the specific mechanisms of these abnormalities related to the male reproducton, Sprague-Dawley neonate male rats were injected subcutaneously during 5-14 days after birth with corn oil (control), flutamide (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (5, 10, and 20 mg/animal). Animals were killed at 31 (immature) and 42 (pubertal) days of age respectively and blood was collected from abdominal aorta for serum testosterone analysis. Testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscle (LABC), cowpers glands and glans penis were weighed. Expression of steroid hormone receptors (AR and ER) was examined in the testes and ventral prostate. At 31 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, LABC, and cowpers glands significantly decreased in the flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but serum testosterone levels were not changed. Flutamide slightly delayed the testes descent at the high dose (0.5 mg/animal), but DBP did not show any significant effect on the testes descent at all doses. DBP and flutamide decreased the expression of AR protein in the testes but did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. At 42 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and cowpers glands weights were still significantly decreased at the high dose of flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but the weights of testes and epididymides were not different. Serum testosterone decreased significantly in DBP treated animals and slightly, not significantly, in flutamide group. While DBP still significantly decreased the expression of AR protein in testis, flutamide recovered from downregulation of AR protein and did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. Based on these results, flutamide and DBP have shown several similar patterns in reproductive abnormalitis, but some marked differences which may be caused by different acting mechanism.