Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), androgen receptor, and connexin 43 in equine testes during puberty.
Abstract: Sertoli cells are essential in development of a functional testis. During puberty, Sertoli cell maturation can be characterized by a number of markers, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), and connexin 43 (Cx43). In the present study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to characterize changes in expression of AMH, AMHR2, AR, CDKN1B, and Cx43 in prepubertal, postpubertal, and adult equine testes. During puberty, AMH expression decreased, and expression of AR as well as CDKN1B increased in Sertoli cells coinciding with the period of Sertoli cell maturation, arrest of cell proliferation, and presumptive AMH regulation by testosterone. Expression of AMHR2 appeared to decrease in Sertoli cells and increase in Leydig cells during pubertal maturation of the equine testis. In addition, expression and distribution of Cx43 changed during puberty in the stallion, suggesting a role for Cx43 in Sertoli cell signaling and maturation, hormone secretion, and blood-testis barrier formation. We concluded that Sertoli cell maturation during puberty in the stallion was accompanied by a reduced expression of AMH and its receptor, arrest of cell proliferation, increased expression of AR, and organization of gap-junctional communication.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-11-23 PubMed ID: 22115811DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.09.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates the changes in the expression of several key markers in Sertoli cells in horse testes during puberty. The markers are involved in the maturation process and their expression levels change as the animal matures.
Examination of Sertoli Cells in Equine Testes
- The study focussed on key markers in Sertoli cells, responsible for the development of a functional testis. This includes the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), its receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), and connexin 43 (Cx43).
- The research explored how these marker expressions change in prepubertal, post-pubertal, and adult male horses during the maturation of Sertoli cells.
Method of Study
- The researchers used immunohistochemistry (IHC), a method for visualizing specific proteins in cells, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), a technique for amplifying and detecting DNA.
Expressions of Markers
- AMH expression was found to decrease during puberty, whereas the expression of AR and CDKN1B increased. These changes align with the period of Sertoli cell maturation, cessation of cell proliferation (growth and division), and potential regulation of AMH by testosterone.
- Though the expression of AMHR2 appeared to decrease in Sertoli cells, it increased in Leydig cells, which produce testosterone in the testes, during pubertal maturation of the equine testis.
Role of Connexin 43
- Expression and distribution of Cx43, a protein known for its function in gap junctions in animal cells facilitating cell communication, was found to change during puberty in horses. The fluctuations suggest a role for Cx43 in Sertoli cell maturation, hormone secretion, and blood-testis barrier formation, providing directions for further research.
In conclusion, the study highlighted the changes in marker expressions during the maturation of Sertoli cells in male horses during puberty. It deduced the onset of maturity is marked by reduced expression of AMH and its receptor, arrest of cell proliferation, increased expression of AR, and the organization of gap-junctional communication.
Cite This Article
APA
Almeida J, Conley AJ, Mathewson L, Ball BA.
(2011).
Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), androgen receptor, and connexin 43 in equine testes during puberty.
Theriogenology, 77(5), 847-857.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.09.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone / analysis
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone / genetics
- Cell Proliferation
- Connexin 43 / analysis
- Connexin 43 / genetics
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / analysis
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / genetics
- Gap Junctions / physiology
- Gene Expression
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry
- Leydig Cells / metabolism
- Male
- RNA, Messenger / analysis
- Receptors, Androgen / analysis
- Receptors, Androgen / genetics
- Receptors, Peptide / analysis
- Receptors, Peptide / genetics
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / analysis
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
- Sertoli Cells / metabolism
- Sexual Maturation / physiology
- Testis / chemistry
- Testis / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Edelsztein NY, Valeri C, Lovaisa MM, Schteingart HF, Rey RA. AMH Regulation by Steroids in the Mammalian Testis: Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022;13:906381.
- Maistrelli C, Hüneke H, Langeheine M, Keuling O, Siebert U, Brehm R. Precocious puberty in male wild boars: a possible explanation for the dramatic population increase in Germany and Europe.. PeerJ 2021;9:e11798.
- Edelsztein NY, Rey RA. Importance of the Androgen Receptor Signaling in Gene Transactivation and Transrepression for Pubertal Maturation of the Testis.. Cells 2019 Aug 9;8(8).
- Robles M, Nouveau E, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lagofun B, Aubrière MC, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Viguié C, Wimel L, Bouraima-Lelong H, Serteyn D, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age.. PLoS One 2018;13(1):e0190309.
- Robles M, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Peugnet P, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Camous S, Tarrade A, Wimel L, Serteyn D, Bouraima-Lelong H, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and Bone Development, Glucose Metabolism and Response to Overnutrition in Weaned Horses Up to Two Years.. PLoS One 2017;12(1):e0169295.
- Banco B, Grilli G, Giudice C, Marques AT, Cotti Cometti S, Visigalli G, Grieco V. Immunophenotyping of Rabbit Testicular Germ and Sertoli Cells Across Maturational Stages.. J Histochem Cytochem 2016 Nov;64(11):715-726.
- Murase H, Saito S, Amaya T, Sato F, Ball BA, Nambo Y. Anti-Müllerian hormone as an indicator of hemi-castrated unilateral cryptorchid horses.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(1):15-20.
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