Age-related changes in the testes of horses.
Abstract: Atrophy of seminiferous tubules and interstitial fibrosis are frequently observed in aged horses. Samples from 8 male Thoroughbreds, age 4-24 years, were subjected to histological, electron microscopical and immunohistochemical examination and statistical analysis. There were statistically significant increases in collagen fibres in the lamina propria of seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitium in 3 horses age 23 and 24 years compared with 5 horses age 4-20 years (P<0.001). Lamina propria surrounding atrophic tubules was thickened by an increase in collagen type IV and elastic fibres and by proliferation of bizarre myoid cells. Basal lamina was also thickened but had decreased reactivity for collagen type IV. Some myoid cells changed morphologically to a swollen and irregular shape and contained abundant cytoplasmic organelles. Laser scanning microscopy revealed that cytoplasmic actin filaments were decreased; the remaining filaments were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 was secreted. These myoid cells transformed into myofibroblasts. The changes are interpreted as evidence of injured structure and function of the lamina propria and basal lamina and may explain the functional decline of the blood-testis barrier. Myoid cells may play an important role in the progression of testicular fibrosis.
Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11191605DOI: 10.2746/042516401776767449Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study looks into the changes that occur in the testes of horses as they age, showing findings such as atrophy of seminiferous tubules, interstitial fibrosis, and changes in myoid cell structure. All these changes suggest a decline in the function of the blood-testes barrier and possible progression of testicular fibrosis.
Methodology
- The researchers took samples from eight male Thoroughbred horses, ranging in age from 4 to 24 years.
- These samples were subjected to histological, electron microscopical, and immunohistochemical examination – techniques widely used to observe the microstructure and function of tissues.
- Statistical analysis was used to determine significant differences or changes in the tissues.
Findings
- Significant increases in collagen fibres were found in 3 horses aged 23 and 24 years, specifically in the lamina propria of seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitium – this was in comparison to the 5 horses aged 4-20 years.
- The lamina propria surrounding the atrophic tubules were found to have thickened due to increased collagen type IV and elastic fibres, and there was also an aberrant proliferation of myoid cells.
- Basal lamina also thickened but had a decreased reaction to collagen type IV, implying a possible decrease in the production or presence of this type of collagen.
- Certain myoid cells, muscle cells that occur around seminiferous tubules, started looking swollen and misshapen, and contained additional cytoplasmic organelles – these changes indicated their transformation into myofibroblasts.
Interpretations
- The overall changes observed in the testes tissues can translate into the structural and functional damage in the lamina propria and basal lamina, which could have an impact on the functionality of the blood-testis barrier.
- This decline of the blood-testis barrier can be linked to reduced effectiveness of spermatogenesis and overall reproductive efficiency in aged horses.
- The transformed myoid cells potentially contribute to the progression of testicular fibrosis – a condition marked by excessive deposition of fibrous tissue, which can further affect normal testes function.
Cite This Article
APA
Fukuda T, Kikuchi M, Kurotaki T, Oyamada T, Yoshikawa H, Yoshikawa T.
(2001).
Age-related changes in the testes of horses.
Equine Vet J, 33(1), 20-25.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776767449 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Actins / chemistry
- Aging / pathology
- Animals
- Atrophy / veterinary
- Collagen / chemistry
- Fibrosis / veterinary
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Male
- Microscopy, Confocal / veterinary
- Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
- Seminiferous Tubules / cytology
- Seminiferous Tubules / pathology
- Testis / cytology
- Testis / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Lahimer M, Montjean D, Cabry R, Capelle S, Lefranc E, Bach V, Ajina M, Ben Ali H, Khorsi-Cauet H, Benkhalifa M. Paternal Age Matters: Association with Sperm Criteria's- Spermatozoa DNA Integrity and Methylation Profile. J Clin Med 2023 Jul 27;12(15).
- McGowan C. Welfare of Aged Horses. Animals (Basel) 2011 Oct 31;1(4):366-76.
- Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Petchdee S, Chettaratanont K, Thongyen T, Wanichayanon B, Poochipakorn C, Chanda M. Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability Are Affected by Age and Activity Level in Athletic Horses. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 28;12(7).
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