Epididymal mitochondrial status of hypothyroid rats examined by transmission electron microscopy

Biotech Histochem. 2013 May;88(3-4):138-44. doi: 10.3109/10520295.2012.741712. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Abstract

Hypothyroid rats show alterations in the mobility of sperm recovered from their epididymides. The AgNOR technique, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate changes in epithelial cells from epididymides of rats treated with (131)I. Counting of NORs did not permit detection of changes in the proliferative capacity of epididymides of hypothyroid animals. Transmission electron microscopy revealed changes in the mitochondria of hypothyroid rats that probably are associated with incipient apoptosis.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Nuclear / metabolism
  • Apoptosis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epididymis / metabolism
  • Epididymis / ultrastructure*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Hypothyroidism / metabolism
  • Hypothyroidism / pathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
  • nucleolar organizer region associated proteins