Gene expression of ACTH, glucocorticoid receptors, 11βHSD enzymes, LH-, FSH-, GH receptors and aromatase in equine epididymal and testicular tissue.
Abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important mediators of the stress response and have been implicated in the function and regulation of testicular functions in different species. In many tissues, intracellular glucocorticoid activity is controlled by either or both of the two known isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) type 1 and 2, which interconvert active and inactive GCs. Little is known about the effects of stress on fertility in the equine species. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of receptors for GCs and adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH, melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R)] as well 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2 in male equine epididymal and testicular tissue. In addition, expression of aromatase P-450 and receptors for luteinizing hormone (LHR), follicle stimulating hormone (FSHR) and growth hormone (GHR) was studied. Reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR were performed in tissue from the epididymis (caput and cauda) and testes collected from nine healthy mature stallions (age 4-10 years). mRNA for ACTH and GC receptors as well as 11βHSD1 and -2 were found in epididymal and testicular tissue. Expression of the genes studied was always positive in testicular tissue, while it was inconsistent in epididymal tissue. Quantitative gene expression in relation to β-actin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was significantly correlated (R = 0.403, p < 0.001). Quantitative PCR in relation to β-actin revealed significant differences in the gene expression of 11βHSD1, 11βHSD2, LHR, FSHR, MC2R and aromatase between tissue collected from caput epididymidis, cauda epididymidis and testicular parenchyma (p < 0.05). With GAPDH, differences between tissues were significant for 11βHSD1, 11βHSD2 and MC2R (p < 0.05) In addition, high concentrations of mRNA of aromatase and receptors of LH and FSH were found in testicular tissue, while a pronounced expression of GH receptor was present in epididymal tissue. The results support the hypothesis of an interaction between the pituitary-adrenal axis and testicular function in the stallion.
© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2012-02-15 PubMed ID: 22335522DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.01993.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article involves a study that investigates the impact of the stress response, specifically the role of glucocorticoids, on the function and regulation of testicular activities in stallions. Specifically analysed were the genes related to this mechanism in the context of function in equine epididymal and testicular tissue.
Study Objective and Background
- This research aims to examine the expression of genes associated with adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) and glucocorticoids receptors, as well as other specific enzymes and hormones in the epididymis and testes of mature stallions. Glucocorticoids are crucial in mediating stress responses and are known to impact testicular functions. However, little information is available on how stress affects fertility in horses.
- Primarily, the study focuses on assessing the gene expression of 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2, the enzymes that control glucocorticoid activity in cells, alongside other hormone receptors and aromatase P-450.
Research Methodology
- To accomplish the objectives, the team performed Reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR on epididymal (both caput and cauda sections) and testicular tissue samples from nine healthy mature stallions aged between 4 and 10 years.
Research Findings
- The study identified mRNA for ACTH and glucocorticoid receptors, as well as 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2 in both epididymal and testicular tissue. Gene expression was consistently detected in testicular tissue, but varied in epididymal tissue.
- There were significant correlations in the quantitative gene expression related to β-actin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a gene often used as a control in PCR experiments. Differences in the gene expression of 11βHSD1, 11βHSD2, LHR, FSHR, MC2R and aromatase were also noticed between different tissue samples.
- High concentrations of mRNA of aromatase and LH and FSH receptors were found in the testes, whereas GH receptor expression was predominantly found in epididymal tissue.
Conclusion
- The findings support the hypothesis that there is a significant interaction between the pituitary-adrenal axis and testicular function in stallions, implying that stress and the corresponding glucocorticoids could potentially influence equine fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Herrera-Luna CV, Budik S, Aurich C.
(2012).
Gene expression of ACTH, glucocorticoid receptors, 11βHSD enzymes, LH-, FSH-, GH receptors and aromatase in equine epididymal and testicular tissue.
Reprod Domest Anim, 47(6), 928-935.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.01993.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria. carlos.herreraluna@vetmeduni.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics
- 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / metabolism
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / genetics
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / metabolism
- Animals
- Aromatase / genetics
- Aromatase / metabolism
- Epididymis / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Receptors, FSH / genetics
- Receptors, FSH / metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid / genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
- Receptors, LH / metabolism
- Receptors, Somatotropin / genetics
- Receptors, Somatotropin / metabolism
- Testis / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Scarlet D, Ertl R, Aurich C, Steinborn R. The Orthology Clause in the Next Generation Sequencing Era: Novel Reference Genes Identified by RNA-seq in Humans Improve Normalization of Neonatal Equine Ovary RT-qPCR Data.. PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0142122.
- Whirledge S, Cidlowski JA. A role for glucocorticoids in stress-impaired reproduction: beyond the hypothalamus and pituitary.. Endocrinology 2013 Dec;154(12):4450-68.
- Whirledge S, Xu X, Cidlowski JA. Global gene expression analysis in human uterine epithelial cells defines new targets of glucocorticoid and estradiol antagonism.. Biol Reprod 2013 Sep;89(3):66.
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