Journal of Equine Science
Online ISSN : 1347-7501
Print ISSN : 1340-3516
ISSN-L : 1340-3516
Original
The Relevance of Myoid Cells and Myofibroblasts in Testicular Fibrosis in Two Horses
Hiroyasu YOSHIKAWAToshihide FUKUDAMotohiro KIKUCHIToshifumi OYAMADATakashi YOSHIKAWA
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2001 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 9-15

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Abstract

Testicular fibrosis is considered to be a pathway leading to hypospermatogenesis. Two horses affected with aspermatogenesis of cryptorchidism and hydrocele, with reference to peritubular myoid cells, were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. In injured testes, the myoid cells became irregular in shape and resembled fibroblasts. Immunohistochemically, normal actin-positive myoid cells were decreased. But reactivity for α-smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and vimentin were clearly indicated in myoid cells. These morphological and immunohistochemical changes of myoid cells into myofibroblasts were recognized. The myoid cells seemed to develop into myofibroblasts for defense against testicular damage, and positively secreted extracellular matrix (ECM). Simultaneously, myofibroblasts seem to induce a morbid condition due to gelatinization of the basal lamina, which assists in the blood-testis barrier. The myofibroblasts, developed from myoid cell were thought to play an important role in the process of testicular fibrosis.

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この記事はクリエイティブ・コモンズ [表示 - 非営利 - 改変禁止 4.0 国際]ライセンスの下に提供されています。
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.ja
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