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Background Infertility is a global concern in both humans and domestic animals, with male factors accounting for nearly half of all cases. Among male reproductive structures, the efferent ductules play a crucial but understudied role in fertility. These tubules connect the testis to the epididymis and are primarily responsible for luminal fluid reabsorption, a process essential for sperm concentration, maturation, and transport. This study aimed to provide a comparative morphological and histological characterization of the efferent ductules in four species—rats, bulls, stallions, and boars—focusing on regional variations (proximal, middle, and distal) and their potential functional implications. Results Gross dissection and histological evaluation revealed a columnar epithelium composed of ciliated and nonciliated cells in all species. Comparative analysis identified species-specific differences in connective tissue composition, smooth muscle thickness, and epithelial dimensions. Proximal regions generally exhibited larger lumen diameters and lower epithelial heights, whereas distal regions showed increased ciliary height and, in some species, a greater presence of cytoplasmic granules, suggesting enhanced secretory or absorptive activity prior to sperm entry into the epididymis. Boars exhibited a particularly thick smooth muscle layer and abundant granules in the distal region. Morphometric measurements supported these observations, demonstrating consistent patterns of structural variation across species. Conclusions The efferent ductules display complex, species-specific architecture and specialized regional features that likely contribute to their functional role in fluid reabsorption and sperm modification. These findings expand current knowledge of male reproductive morphology in domestic animals and highlight the need for further functional studies beyond rodent models to better understand fertility regulation in veterinary species.

Green tea is a popular drink used for therapeutic purposes to mitigate the consequences of diabetes. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the potential of green tea infusion to ameliorate structural and enzymatic damages caused by hyperglycemia in the testis and epididymis of Wistar rats. For that, nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (negative control and diabetes control, respectively) received 0.6 mL of water by gavage. Another set of diabetic animals received 100 mg/kg of green tea infusion diluted in 0.6 mL of water/gavage (diabetes + green tea) daily. After 42 days of treatment, the testes and epididymides were removed and processed for histopathological analysis, micromineral determination, and enzymatic assays. The results showed that treatment with green tea infusion preserved the testicular and epididymal histoarchitecture, improving the seminiferous epithelium and the sperm production previously affected by diabetes. Treatment with green tea reduced tissue damages caused by this metabolic condition. Given the severity of hyperglycemia, there was no efficacy of the green tea infusion in maintaining the testosterone levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, and microminerals content. Thus, our findings indicate a protective effect of this infusion on histological parameters, with possible use as a complementary therapy for diabetes.

Background/Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) affects the pulmonary vasculature and cardiac function. While its impact on target organs has been extensively studied, little is known about its effects on highly vascularized organs, such as those from the male reproductive system. This study explores the impact of PAH on testis and epididymis, evaluating the potential role of combined exercise training as a non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate alterations in these organs. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were assigned to one of three groups: sedentary control, sedentary PAH, and exercise PAH. PAH was induced by monocrotaline administration (60 mg Kg−1, i.p). The exercise PAH group underwent three weeks of combined physical training, including treadmill aerobic activity and resistance training on a ladder. Testis and epididymis were analyzed histologically, histomorphometrically, and biochemically for antioxidant activity, oxidative stress markers, and sperm parameters. Results: Sedentary PAH animals showed reductions in body and epididymis weight, normal seminiferous tubule percentage, and testicular morphometric parameters. These changes led to disorganized seminiferous tubules and compromised sperm production and sperm count in the testis and epididymis. Combined physical training improved testicular morphometric alterations and increased sperm count in hypertensive animals. Conclusions: PAH negatively affects testicular structure and function, leading to low sperm production. Combined physical training mitigated these effects by preserving testicular architecture and improving reproductive parameters, though it appeared less effective for the epididymis. These findings suggest physical training as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect reproductive health in PAH.

It is known that either arsenic exposure or diabetes can impact renal function. However, it is unclear how these combined factors may influence kidney functions. Therefore, we evaluated morphological, functional, and oxidative parameters in the kidney of diabetic rats exposed to arsenic. Healthy male Wistar rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were exposed to 0 and 10 mg/L arsenate through drinking water for 40 days. Renal tissue was assessed using morphometry, mitosis and apoptosis markers, mineral proportion, oxidative stress markers, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases. Arsenate intake altered glucose levels in healthy animals, but it did not reach hyperglycemic conditions. In diabetic animals, arsenate led to a remarkable increase of glycogen nephrosis in distal tubules. In these animals, additionally, the activity of catalase and glutathione S -transferase, besides the proportion of Fe, Cu, and K in renal tissue, was altered. Nevertheless, arsenate did not accumulate in the kidney and did not impact on other parameters previously altered by diabetes, including levels of malondialdehyde, Na, urea, creatinine, and apoptosis and mitosis markers. In conclusion, besides the intensification of glycogen nephrosis, the kidney was able to handle arsenate toxicity at this point, preventing arsenic deposition in the exposed groups and the impairment of renal function.

BackgroundUnder the adverse remodeling of the right ventricle and interventricular septum in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) the left ventricle (LV) dynamics is impaired. Despite the benefits of combined aerobic and resistance physical trainings to individuals with PAH, its impact on the LV is not fully understood.ObjectiveTo test whether moderate-intensity combined physical training performed during the development of PAH induced by MCT in rats is beneficial to the LV’s structure and function.MethodsMale Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Sedentary Hypertensive Survival (SHS, n = 7); and Exercise Hypertensive Survival (EHS, n = 7) to test survival. To investigate the effects of combined physical training, another group of rats were divided into three groups: Sedentary Control (SC, n = 7); Sedentary Hypertensive (SH, n = 7); and Exercise Hypertensive (EH, n = 7). PAH was induced through an intraperitoneal injection of MCT (60 mg/kg). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted on the 22nd day after MCT administration. Animals in the EHS and EH groups participated in a combined physical training program, alternating aerobic (treadmill running: 50 min, 60% maximum running speed) and resistance (ladder climbing: 15 climbs with 1 min interval, 60% maximum carrying load) exercises, one session/day, 5 days/week for approximately 4 weeks.ResultsThe physical training increased survival and tolerance to aerobic (i.e., maximum running speed) and resistance (i.e., maximum carrying load) exertions and prevented reductions in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. In addition, the physical training mitigated oxidative stress (i.e., CAT, SOD and MDA) and inhibited adverse LV remodeling (i.e., Collagen, extracellular matrix, and cell dimensions). Moreover, the physical training preserved the amplitude and velocity of contraction and hindered the reductions in the amplitude and velocity of the intracellular Ca2+ transient in LV single myocytes.ConclusionModerate-intensity combined physical training performed during the development of MCT-induced PAH in rats protects their LV from damages to its structure and function and hence increases their tolerance to physical exertion and prolongs their survival.

Abstract Pregnancy induces critical physiological adaptations to support embryonic development and fetal survival. This study compared endometrial and placental phenotypic and histomorphometric characteristics of Piau and Commercial sows at two gestational ages (25 and 35 days). Twelve sows (six Piau and six Commercial) were evaluated in a randomized design, with samples collected from three regions of the right uterine horn of each animal. Histomorphometric analyses were performed using microscopy and ImageJ software. Statistical analyses employed linear mixed-effects models, with Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests applied to assess normality and homogeneity of variances, respectively. At 25 days of gestation, Commercial sows showed greater uterine and ovarian weights, a higher number of corpora lutea, and longer uterine horn horns, reflecting genetic selection for reproductive efficiency. Conversely, Piau sows exhibited more advanced embryonic development at this stage, with fetuses of greater size. At 35 days, the phenotypic superiority of Commercial sows persisted, while Piau fetuses maintained greater weight and length, indicating distinct temporal growth dynamics. Histomorphometric analyses at 25 days revealed that Commercial sows had increased placental connective tissue deposition and thicker endometrial epithelium, whereas Piau sows presented larger placental vascular area, as well as enhanced endometrial vascularization and glandular density across all uterine regions. At 35 days, no significant differences were observed in placental vascular area and endometrial vascularization; however, subtle trends in connective tissue development suggested ongoing placental differentiation. These findings highlight distinct reproductive strategies between Piau and Commercial sows, with potential implications for embryonic development and gestational success. Altogether, the results confirm that genetic background influences uterine and placental morphology during early gestation.

This study evaluated the effect of prepubertal arsenic exposure in the liver and kidney of pubescent rats and their reversibility 30 days after arsenic withdrawal. Male pups of Wistar rats (21 days old) were divided into two groups (n = 20/group): control animals received filtered water, and exposed rats received 10 mg L−1 arsenic from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 51. The liver and kidney of 52 days old rats (n = 10/group) were examined to investigate the effects of arsenic on micromineral content, antioxidant enzyme activity, histology, and biochemistry parameters. The other animals were kept alive under free arsenic conditions until 82 days old and further analyzed by the same parameters. Our results revealed that 52-day-old rats increased arsenic content in their liver and arsenic and manganese in their kidney. In those animals, glycogen and zinc content and catalase activity were reduced in the liver, and the selenium content decreased in the kidney. Thirty days later, arsenic reduced the manganese and iron content and SOD and CAT activity in the liver of 82-day-old rats previously exposed to arsenic, while glycogen and selenium content decreased in their kidney. In contrast, PND 82 rats exhibited higher retention of copper in the liver, an increase in iron and copper content, and CAT and GST activity in the kidney. Significant histological alterations of liver and kidney tissues were not observed in rats of both ages. We conclude that arsenic-induced toxicity could alter differently the oxidative status and balance of trace elements in pubertal and adult rats, demonstrating that the metalloid can cause effects in adulthood.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Besides the effects on the lungs and heart, PAH can affect other organs, including the liver, kidneys, brain, glands, and testis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PAH and physical resistance training (RT), a complementary treatment for hypertension, on epididymis morphology and function and sperm parameters. Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups ( n  = 8/ group): sedentary control, sedentary PAH, RT control, and RT + PAH. PAH was induced using monocrotaline injections on Day 1 and 7 of the experiment. Sixteen rats from RT groups underwent RT training for 30 days, while rats from sedentary groups did not exercise. The epididymis was processed and analyzed using microscopic, biochemical, and functional approaches. Sperm were harvested from the cauda epididymis and evaluated for morphology and motility. Our results showed that PAH compromised the epididymis antioxidant defense system and reduced NO levels, leading to an imbalance in the organ's mineral content. These alterations affected the epididymis morphology and reduced the sperm transit time in the proximal epididymis, resulting in an increase in abnormal sperm morphology in the cauda region. Unfortunately, RT was not a good therapy against the PAH effect on the epididymis. PAH negatively affected epididymis functions with consequences to male gametes. Dysfunctions in the post-testicular environment may lead to male infertility due to the disturbance of spermatozoa fecundity. Graphical Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the regular administration of blueberry extract and low-intensity resistance exercise training (RT), either alone or in combination, during the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats protect the left ventricle (LV) from redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling. Methods: Groups of seven male Wistar rats were formed for the experiment: sedentary control; sedentary hypertensive; sedentary hypertensive blueberry; exercise hypertensive; and exercise hypertensive blueberry. PAH was experimentally induced through a single intraperitoneal administration of MCT at a dose of 60 mg/kg. One day after injection, the blueberry groups started receiving a daily dose of blueberry extract (100 mg/kg) by gavage, while the exercise groups initiated a three-week program of RT (ladder climbing; 15 climbs carrying 60% of maximum load; one session/day; 5 times/week). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted 23 days after injection, and the rats were euthanized the next day to harvest LV tissue. Results: Separately, blueberry extract and RT mitigated augments in pulmonary artery resistance, LV tissue redox dysregulation (i.e., increased PC levels) and detrimental remodeling (i.e., reduced inflammation), and reductions in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) caused by PAH. The combination of treatments prevented reductions in EF and FS, along with the development of a D-shaped LV. Conclusions: blueberry extract and moderate-intensity resistance training administered during the development of MCT-induced severe PAH in rats prevented LV redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling, thereby preserving its function.

This study investigated whether previous resistance exercise training (RT) affects the progression of right ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in rats with severe pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Male Wistar rats were submitted to a RT protocol (i.e., ladder-climbing) for 8 weeks, while controls remained in cages without exercising. Then, exercised rats were randomly divided into trained monocrotaline discontinued (TMD), and trained monocrotaline continued (TMC) groups. Subsequently, they received a single monocrotaline injection (i.e., 60 mg/kg) and the TMD group stopped RT, while the TMC group exercised for an additional 6-week period. After euthanasia, right ventricle (RV) was dissected and processed for histological and single RV myocyte analyses. Previous RT increased physical effort tolerance, prevented pulmonary artery resistance augment (i.e., AT/ET) and mitigated the reduction in RV systolic function (i.e., TAPSE). RT also lessened impairments in single RV myocyte contractility and intracellular calcium transient (i.e., amplitude, and times to peak and relaxation) in the TMC group only. Moreover, RT inhibited adverse RV remodeling (i.e., hypertrophy and collagen deposition) in both trained groups. In conclusion, previous RT attenuates the progression of RV dysfunction and remodeling in rats with severe monocrotaline-induced PAH, being the extension of protective effects dependent on the exercise training continuity.