Histochemical detection of glycoconjugates in the male reproductive system of the horse.
Abstract: Lectins are glycoproteins of plant and animal origin that have the ability to bind specific carbohydrate residues of cell glycoconjugates, particularly in terminal positions. In this study, the binding of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), was studied in the reproductive systems of male thoroughbred horses.DBA was detected in the stereocilia of the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. It was weakly detected in connective tissue of the corpus epididymis. Strong SBA staining was seen in epithelial cells in the testis, stereocilia of the corpus and cauda epididymis, and in the vas deferens. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in interstitial cells in all tissue and serosa of the vas deferens. PNA staining was seen only in stereocilia in the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. Strong WGA staining was seen throughout the testis, except in Sertoli cells, stereocilia, and connective tissue. UEA-I was detected in secondary spermatids, stereocilia, and epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis. These results show that degenerating cells in the testis, epididymal tubules, and vas deferens have differential affinities for lectins, and suggest that lectins play a role in the reproductive system of the horse. The heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern in the reproductive tubules of adult horses suggests that the carbohydrate composition of each cell type is region specific.
Publication Date: 2003-06-24 PubMed ID: 12819361
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article explores the binding of certain glycoproteins, known as lectins, in the male reproductive systems of thoroughbred horses, aiming to understand how these interactions might influence the reproductive system. The study highlights varying affinities and region-specific carbohydrate compositions in cell types within the horse’s reproductive system.
Objective of the Study
- The primary objective of this study was to examine the binding of several types of lectins – Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) – in the reproductive systems of male thoroughbred horses.
Findings of the Study
- DBA was found in the stereocilia of the caput and corpus epididymis, as well as in the vas deferens. It had limited presence in the corpus epididymis’s connective tissue.
- Strong presence of SBA was detected in the epithelial cells in the testis, the stereocilia of the corpus and cauda epididymis, and in the vas deferens.
- Isolectin B4 showed intense reactions in interstitial cells in all tissues and in the vas deferens’ serosa.
- PNA staining was seen only in stereocilia in the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens.
- WGA was strongly present throughout the testis, excluding Sertoli cells, stereocilia, and connective tissue.
- UEA-I was found in secondary spermatids, stereocilia, and epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis.
Significance of the Study
- The study demonstrated how cells in the testis, epididymal tubules, and vas deferens, which are part of horse’s reproductive system, have different affinities for lectins. This suggests that lectins could play a role in the horse’s reproductive system.
- This study also highlights the heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern in the horse’s reproductive tubules. This suggests that the carbohydrate compositions of different cell types in the reproductive system are region specific.
Cite This Article
APA
Ha TY, Ahn MJ, Lee YD, Yang JH, Kim HS, Shin TK.
(2003).
Histochemical detection of glycoconjugates in the male reproductive system of the horse.
J Vet Sci, 4(1), 21-28.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School, Cheju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epididymis / cytology
- Epididymis / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Lectins / metabolism
- Male
- Testis / cytology
- Testis / metabolism
- Vas Deferens / cytology
- Vas Deferens / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Khorsandi L, Orazizadeh M. Immunolocalization of galectin-3 in mouse testicular tissue. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2011 Jul;14(4):349-53.
- Costa GM, Avelar GF, Rezende-Neto JV, Campos-Junior PH, Lacerda SM, Andrade BS, Thomé RG, Hofmann MC, Franca LR. Spermatogonial stem cell markers and niche in equids. PLoS One 2012;7(8):e44091.
- Alkafafy M, Rashed R, Emara S, Nada M, Helal A. Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). Anat Cell Biol 2011 Dec;44(4):284-94.
- Kim H, Ahn M, Moon C, Kim S, Jee Y, Joo HG, Shin T. Immunohistochemical study of galectin-3 in mature and immature bull testis and epididymis. J Vet Sci 2008 Dec;9(4):339-44.
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