Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) as a part of the renin angiotensin system (RES) regulates blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, and the enzyme is considered to have a function in reproduction. Reduced enzyme activities have been observed in atrophied testes as a results of zinc and pituitary deficiencies. Vitamin A deficiency causes atrophy of testes. The present study was conducted on three groups of male, 3-wk-old, Wistar rats. After 54 d of the experimental period, testicular weights of the vitamin A-deficient rats (Agroup, allowed free access to vitamin Adeficient diet) was significantly lower than its pair-fed, PF (given restricted amount control diet) and A+ (allowed free access to control diet) groups. Zinc concentrations and both soluble and particulate ACE activities in the testes of vitamin A-deficient rats (Agroup) were significantly lower than the other two groups. No significant differences were observed regarding zinc concentration, particulate ACE, and total ACE activities in the testes of PF and A+ groups. Vitamin A deficiency did not significantly affect the enzyme activity in the lung. From the observations of the present study, we speculate that testicular atrophy in vitamin A deficiency may have resulted from lower zinc concentration and decreased ACE activity in that organ.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R. L. Soffer, inBiochemical Regulation of Blood Pressure, R. L. Soffer, ed., Wiley, New York (1981) pp. 123–164.
T. Sancho, R. Re, J. Burton, A. C. Barger, and E. Haber,Circulation 53, 400–405 (1976).
L. T. Skeggs, F. E. Dorer, J. R. Kahn, K. E. Lentz, and M. Levin, inBiochemical Regulation of Blood Pressure, R. L. Soffer, ed., Wiley, New York (1981) pp. 4–38.
D. W. Cushman and H. S. Cheung,Biochem. Biophys. Acta 250, 261–265 (1971).
S. M. Strittmatter, E. A. Thiele, E. B. De Souza, and S. H. Snyder,Endocrinology 117, 1374–1379 (1985).
P. G. Reeves,Biological Trace Element Research 24, 1–11 (1990).
P. A. Valletri, D. R. Aquilano, E. Bruckwick, C. H. Tsai-Morris, M. L. Dufau, and W. Lovenberg,Endocrinology 116, 2516–2522 (1985).
K. E. Mason, The specificity of vitamin A and E for the testis (I. Relation between vitamin A and E),J. Experimental Zoology 55, 101–122 (1930).
M. M. Sampson and V. Korenchevsky,J. Path. Bacter. 35, (part 2): 875–887 (1932).
P. M. Krueger, G. D. Hodger, and R. J. Sherins,Endocrinology 95, 955–962 (1974).
A. S. Rahman, M. Kimura, K. Yokoi, T.-E. Naher, and Y. Itokawa,Biological Trace Element Research 49, 75–84 (1995).
American Institute of Nutrition, Report of the American Institute of Nutrition ad hoc committee on standards for nutritional studies,J. Nutr. 107, 1340–1348 (1977).
American Institute of Nutrition, Second report of the ad hoc committee on standards for nutritional studies,J. Nutr. 110, 1726 (1980).
Y. Kasahara and Y. Ashihara,Clin. Chem. 27(no. 11), 1922–1925 (1981).
P. G. Reeves and K. L. Rossow,P.S.E.B.M. 203, 336–342 (1993).
R. E Itzhaki and D. M. Gill, A Micro-biuret method for estimating proteins,Anal. Biochem. 9, 401–410 (1964).
Systat for the Macintosh, version 5.2, Systat, Evanston, IL (1992).
H. A. El-Dorry, H. G. Bull, K. Iwata, N. A. Thornberry, E. H. Cordes, and R. L. Sof-fer,J. of Biol. Chem. 257 (no.23), 14128–14133 (1982).
M. J. Millar, M. I. Fischer, P. V. Elcoate, and C. A. Mawson,Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 36, 557–569 (1958).
H. H. Sandstead, A. S. Prasad, A. R. Schulert, Z. Farid, A. Miale, Jr; S. Bassilly, and W. J. Darby,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 20(no. 5), 422–442 (1967).
H. Yotsumoto, S. Sato and M. Shibuya,Life Sciences 35, 1257–1261 (1984).
C. J. McClain, J. S. Gavaler, and D. H. Van Thiel,J. Lab. Clin. Med. 104, 1007–1015 (1984).
C. R. Esther, Jr., T. E. Howard, E. M. Marino, J. M. Goddard, M. R. Capecchi, and K. E. Bernstein, Mice lacking angiotensin-converting enzyme have low blood pressure, renal pathology, and reduced male fertility,Lab. invest. 74, 953–965 (1996).
J. A. Resko, H. H. Feder, and R. W. Goy, Androgen concentrations in plasma and testis of developing rats,J. Endocrinology 40, 485–491(1968).
D. W. Knorr, T. Vanha-Pertulla, and M. B. Lipsett, Structure and function of rat testis through pubescence,Endocrinology 86, 1298–1304 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rahman, A.S., Kimura, M. & Itokawa, Y. Testicular atrophy, zinc concentration, and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the testes of vitamin a-deficient rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 67, 29–36 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02784272
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02784272