Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions.
Abstract: 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. Objective: 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. Conclusions: 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.
Publication Date: 2007-03-24 PubMed ID: 17378440DOI: 10.2746/042516407x169393Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article is about the study of Connexin 43 (Cx43) protein expressions in the reproductive tissues of stallions. The main aim is to understand the role and distribution of this protein in healthy and cryptorchid horses.
Objective and Methodology
- The principal objective of the research was to display the expression pattern of the Cx43 protein in the reproductive tissues of stallions. The study also sought to determine if bilateral cryptorchidism, a condition where both testes have not descended, influences the distribution and expression of Cx43 protein.
- The researchers developed a methodology that involved the detection of the expression and presence of Cx43 protein through immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. They utilized a polyclonal rabbit anti-Cx43 antibody in this process.
Findings of the Research
- The results showed distinct placement of gap junctions, structures in which Cx43 is located, at cell-cell contacts between adjacent cells in stallions.
- In the testes, the Cx43 protein expression was identified in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, specifically between Leydig and Sertoli cells, as well as between Sertoli and germ cells.
- In epididymides, Cx43 localized between the epithelial cells, while in the prostates, this protein was traced between secretory cells in the glandular epithelium.
- Notably, in the cryptorchid, a marked decrease in the Cx43 signal was observed in all reproductive tissues.
Conclusions and Implications of the study
- The findings suggested that the coupling of Leydig cells via gap junctions hints at a possibility that the steroidogenic function of the testis could be influenced by these intercellular channels.
- The study also discovered that Cx43 appeared stage-specific within seminiferous tubules, suggesting that it might play a role in coordinating spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development).
- The research concluded that the differential distribution of Cx43 protein in the reproductive tract of normal and cryptorchid stallions indicates that this expression relies largely on the physiological status of the horse.
- Understanding the expression of Cx43 in equine testicular, epididymal, and prostatic cells is fundamental for a more comprehensive knowledge of the role of intercellular membrane channels in direct cell communication within the stallion’s reproductive tract.
Cite This Article
APA
Hejmej A, Kotula-Balak M, Sadowska J, Bilińska B.
(2007).
Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions.
Equine Vet J, 39(2), 122-127.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x169393 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blotting, Western / veterinary
- Cell Communication
- Connexin 43 / metabolism
- Epididymis / metabolism
- Epididymis / pathology
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Leydig Cells / cytology
- Leydig Cells / metabolism
- Male
- Prostate / metabolism
- Prostate / pathology
- Sertoli Cells / cytology
- Sertoli Cells / metabolism
- Testis / metabolism
- Testis / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Cyr DG, Gregory M, Hermo L, Dufresne J. Molecular Pathways Implicated in the Differentiation and Function of Epididymal Basal Cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 2025;1469:89-113.
- Sayed RKA, Mokhtar DM, Fernández-Ortiz M, Escames G, Acuña-Castroviejo D. Retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor alpha (RORα)-deficient mice display morphological testicular defects. Lab Invest 2019 Dec;99(12):1835-1849.
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- Mandon M, Hermo L, Cyr DG. Isolated Rat Epididymal Basal Cells Share Common Properties with Adult Stem Cells. Biol Reprod 2015 Nov;93(5):115.
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- Hejmej A, Górowska E, Kotula-Balak M, Chojnacka K, Zarzycka M, Zając J, Bilińska B. Androgen signaling disruption during fetal and postnatal development affects androgen receptor and connexin 43 expression and distribution in adult boar prostate. Biomed Res Int 2013;2013:407678.
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