Anti-Müllerian hormone as an indicator of hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid horses.
Abstract: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a glycoprotein secreted from the fetal testis, is responsible for regression of the Müllerian duct in the male fetus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum AMH as a biomarker for diagnosis of cryptorchidism in horses. Serum AMH concentrations were measured in intact stallions, hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid stallions, and geldings. In addition, expression of AMH was characterized in cryptorchid testes by immunohistochemistry. Serum AMH was detected in intact stallions (n=11, 13.3 ± 1.8 ng/ml) and in hemi-castrated cryptorchid stallions (n=8, 17.6 ± 3.0 ng/ml), but not in geldings (n=6, all data were below the limit of detection). Immunolabeling for AMH was detected in Sertoli cells of undescended testes from cryptorchid horses as well as those of normal testes. Our findings indicate that the cryptorchid testis after hemi-castration secretes AMH and that serum AMH concentrations may be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of equine cryptorchidism.
Publication Date: 2015-03-31 PubMed ID: 25829866PubMed Central: PMC4379328DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.15Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the use of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a glycoprotein secreted from the testis, as a biomarker to diagnose cryptorchidism (a condition where one or both of the testes fail to descend) in horses, particularly in case of hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid stallions.
Objective and Methodology of the Research
- The research aimed at evaluating Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a potential biomarker for diagnosing cryptorchidism in horses. Cryptorchidism is a condition in male animals where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth.
- The scientists collected and measured the serum AMH concentrations in three sets – intact stallions, hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid stallions (those with only one undescended testicle), and geldings (castrated males).
- The team carried out an immunohistochemistry (a method used to visualize certain proteins in cells of a tissue) to characterize the expression of AMH in the cryptorchid testes.
Key Findings
- AMH was detected in serum samples collected from both intact stallions and hemi-castrated cryptorchid stallions, but not in geldings. This indicates that AMH is secreted in the bloodstream only when testes are present, either descended or undescended.
- The results showed the immunolabeling for AMH in Sertoli cells of cryptorchid horses’ testes as well as in normal testes. This suggested that cryptorchid testis continues to secrete AMH, even after hemi-castration (removal of one testicle).
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that serum AMH concentrations could serve as a useful biomarker for diagnosing cryptorchidism in horses. This finding adds insight into equine reproductive physiology and could have implications in veterinary medicine to better understand and manage cryptorchidism in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Murase H, Saito S, Amaya T, Sato F, Ball BA, Nambo Y.
(2015).
Anti-Müllerian hormone as an indicator of hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid horses.
J Equine Sci, 26(1), 15-20.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.26.15 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Yamato Kohgen Animal Medical Clinic, Osaka 583-0867, Japan.
- Yamato Kohgen Animal Medical Clinic, Osaka 583-0867, Japan.
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Reproduction Laboratory, The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, U.S.A.
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan ; Present address: Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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