Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, CDKN1B, connexin 43, androgen receptor and steroidogenic enzymes in the equine cryptorchid testis.
Abstract: Cryptorchidism affects 2-8% of male horses and the affected testis undergoes a disruption of normal spermatogenesis. The underlying molecular changes are poorly understood in the cryptorchid equine testis. Objective: Compare the expression of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), anti-Müllerian hormone receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), connexin 43 (Cx43), 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ(5) -Δ(4) - isomerase (3βHSD), P450c17 hydroxylase/lyase (P450c17) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) in the undescended testis of cryptorchid stallions with that of normal stallions. Methods: Undescended, abdominal testes from four cryptorchid stallions between 2 and 3 years of age were collected during routine castrations along with normally descended testes from normal stallions between 2 and 3 years of age (n = 7). Samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Cryptorchid testes had increased AMH and AMHR2 immunolabelling when compared with normal testes, which indicates failure of maturation of Sertoli cells and/or lack of testosterone suppression. Failure of Sertoli cell maturation in the cryptorchid testis may also be attributed to AR abnormalities and/or a consequence of lack of testosterone suppression due to decreased 3βHSD. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKN1B) was not expressed in Sertoli cells of cryptorchid testes suggesting that Sertoli cells are still proliferating, which is also a characteristic of the immature testis. In addition, Cx43 expression is decreased in the cryptorchid testis, indicating a disruption in intercellular communication. Conclusions: Undescended testes of cryptorchid horses present characteristics of immaturity suggesting that the failure of Sertoli cell maturation may be a consequence of cryptorchidism. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of the effect of cryptorchidism on testicular function in stallions.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-01-07 PubMed ID: 23294085DOI: 10.1111/evj.12013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates the molecular changes in the cryptorchid or undescended testis in male horses – a condition that affects normal sperm production. The research specifically compares the expression of certain hormones, receptors and enzymes in the cryptorchid testis with those in normal stallions.
Objectives and Methodology
- The chief objective of this study was to examine the expression of particular hormones, receptors, and enzymes in the undescended testis of cryptorchid stallions. These include anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), anti-Müllerian hormone receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), connexin 43 (Cx43), 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ(5) -Δ(4) – isomerase (3βHSD), P450c17 hydroxylase/lyase (P450c17) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom).
- The researchers collected undescended, abdominal testes from four cryptorchid stallions aged 2 to 3 years during routine castrations. They also collected normally descended testes from seven normal stallions in the same age range for comparison. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR were used to analyze the samples.
Results
- The study found that cryptorchid testes had increased immunolabelling for AMH and AMHR2 compared to normal testis, indicating a failure of maturation of Sertoli cells and/or the absence of testosterone suppression.
- Abnormalities in AR or a lack of testosterone suppression due to decreased 3βHSD might also contribute to the failure of Sertoli cell maturation in the cryptorchid testis.
- The research discovered no CDKN1B expression in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testes, implying that these cells could still be proliferating – a sign of an immature testis.
- Cx43 expression was found to be reduced in the cryptorchid testis, suggesting a disruption of intercellular communication.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that the undescended testes of cryptorchid horses display characteristics of immaturity. This might suggest that the failure of Sertoli cell maturation could be a consequence of cryptorchidism.
- The research plays a crucial role in enhancing the understanding of how cryptorchidism affects testicular function in stallions.
Cite This Article
APA
Almeida J, Conley AJ, Ball BA.
(2013).
Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, CDKN1B, connexin 43, androgen receptor and steroidogenic enzymes in the equine cryptorchid testis.
Equine Vet J, 45(5), 538-545.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Universidade de Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone / genetics
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone / metabolism
- Connexin 43 / genetics
- Connexin 43 / metabolism
- Cryptorchidism / blood
- Cryptorchidism / metabolism
- Cryptorchidism / veterinary
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / genetics
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Male
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- RNA, Messenger / metabolism
- Receptors, Androgen / genetics
- Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
- Steroids / metabolism
- Testis / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Fain H, Hendrickson DA, Buesing MT, Griffenhagen G. Retrospective Evaluation of Cryptorchid Sidedness at Colorado State University Between 1984 and 2014 and Oakridge Equine Hospital Between 2008 and 2023. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 23;12(9).
- Asgenbaatar N, Yi M, Wang X, Ulaangerel T, Shen Y, Wen X, Du M, Dong X, Mengkh Y, Dugarjav M, Bou G. Optimizing the preparation of paraffin sections from stallion testes. Histol Histopathol 2025 Mar;40(3):335-342.
- Goto A, Yoshida N, Nakada K, Inoue Y, Hisaeda K, Inaba T, Domoto N, Ishiguro Y, Itoh M, Takahashi E, Sasaki M, Matsui M. Efficiency of immunocastration with an anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine on cryptorchid bulls. J Vet Med Sci 2023 May 3;85(5):551-556.
- Yao B, An K, Kang Y, Tan Y, Zhang D, Su J. Reproductive Suppression Caused by Spermatogenic Arrest: Transcriptomic Evidence from a Non-Social Animal. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Feb 27;24(5).
- Rey RA. Steroid receptors in the testis: implications in the physiology of prenatal and postnatal development and translation to clinical application. Histol Histopathol 2023 Apr;38(4):373-389.
- Squillacioti C, Pelagalli A, Assisi L, Costagliola A, Van Nassauw L, Mirabella N, Liguori G. Does Orexin B-Binding Receptor 2 for Orexins Regulate Testicular and Epididymal Functions in Normal and Cryptorchid Dogs?. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:880022.
- Ellerbrock RE, Podico G, Scoggin KE, Ball BA, Carossino M, Canisso IF. Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 6;11(8).
- Assisi L, Pelagalli A, Squillacioti C, Liguori G, Annunziata C, Mirabella N. Orexin A-Mediated Modulation of Reproductive Activities in Testis of Normal and Cryptorchid Dogs: Possible Model for Studying Relationships Between Energy Metabolism and Reproductive Control. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019;10:816.
- Sharma V, Lehmann T, Stuckas H, Funke L, Hiller M. Loss of RXFP2 and INSL3 genes in Afrotheria shows that testicular descent is the ancestral condition in placental mammals. PLoS Biol 2018 Jun;16(6):e2005293.
- Cooke PS, Nanjappa MK, Ko C, Prins GS, Hess RA. Estrogens in Male Physiology. Physiol Rev 2017 Jul 1;97(3):995-1043.
- Al-Maghrebi M, Renno WM, Al-Somali HF, Botras MS, Qadhi IN. Lutein modulates transcription dysregulation of adhesion molecules and spermatogenesis transcription factors induced by testicular ischemia reperfusion injury: it could be SAFE. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2016 May;389(5):539-51.
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