| Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions. | |
MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17378440 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a ubiquitously distributed gap junction protein in testes and other reproductive tissues. Adjacent cells share ions and small metabolites through intercellular channels, which are present in gap junctions. Previously, Cx43 has not been reported in testes, epididymides and prostates either in healthy stallions or cryptorchid horses. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the expression pattern of Cx43 in the reproductive tissues of stallions and examine whether naturally occurring bilateral cryptorchidism has any influence on distribution and expression of Cx43. METHODS: The expression and the presence of Cx43 protein were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Cx43 antibody. RESULTS: In stallions, gap junctions appeared as structures localised to cell-cell contacts between adjacent cells. In testes, Cx43 expression was detected in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, between Leydig and Sertoli, as well as Sertoli and germ cells. In epididymides, Cx43 was localised between epithelial cells, whereas in prostates, between secretory cells of the glandular epithelium. In the cryptorchid, a clear reduction of Cx43 signal was observed in all reproductive tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Coupling of Leydig cells via gap junctions may suggest that steroidogenic function of the testis is under the influence of these intercellular channels. Within seminiferous tubules, the expression was found to be stage-specific, pointing to its role in coordinating spermatogenesis. Differential distribution of Cx43 protein in the reproductive tract of normal and cryptorchid stallions indicates that expression is clearly dependent on the physiological status of the horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Detection of Cx43 expression in equine testicular, epididymal, and prostatic cells is important for a better understanding of the role of intercellular membrane channels in direct cell communication within the reproductive tract of stallions. |
Authors:
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A Hejmej; M Kotula-Balak; J Sadowska; B Bilińska |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Equine veterinary journal Volume: 39 ISSN: 0425-1644 ISO Abbreviation: Equine Vet. J. Publication Date: 2007 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-03-23 Completed Date: 2007-05-07 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0173320 Medline TA: Equine Vet J Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 122-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Blotting, Western / veterinary Cell Communication Connexin 43 / metabolism* Epididymis / metabolism*, pathology Horses / metabolism* Immunohistochemistry / veterinary Leydig Cells / cytology, metabolism Male Prostate / metabolism*, pathology Sertoli Cells / cytology, metabolism Testis / metabolism*, pathology |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Connexin 43 |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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