Immunolocalization of estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta and androgen receptor in the pre-, peri- and post-pubertal stallion testis.
Abstract: In various species, androgens and estrogens regulate the function of testicular Leydig, Sertoli, peritubular myoid, and germ cells by binding to their respective receptors and eliciting a cellular response. Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, Leydig cells and perivascular smooth muscle cells in the testis depending on the species, but its presence in germ cells remains controversial. Two different estrogen receptors have been identified, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), and their localization and function in testicular cells varies depending on the species, developmental stage of the cell and type of receptor. The localization of AR in an immature and mature stallion has been reported but estrogen receptors have only been reported for the mature stallion. In the present study, the localizations of AR and ERα/ERβ were investigated in pre-pubertal, peri-pubertal and post-pubertal stallions. Testes were collected by routine castration from 21 horses, of light horse breeds (3 months-27 years). Animals were divided into the following age groups: pre-pubertal (3-11 months; n=7), peri-pubertal (12-23 months; n=7) and post-pubertal (2-27 years; n=7). Testicular tissue samples were fixed and embedded, and the presence of AR, ERα and ERβ was investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using procedures previously validated for the horse. Primary antibodies used were rabbit anti-human AR, mouse anti-human ERβ and rabbit anti-mouse ERα. Sections of each region were incubated with normal rabbit serum (NRS; AR and ERα) or mouse IgG (ERβ) instead of primary antibody to generate negative controls. Androgen receptors were localized in Leydig, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells of all ages. Estrogen receptor alpha was localized in Leydig and germ cells of all ages but only in pre- and peri-pubertal Sertoli cells and post-pubertal peritubular myoid cells. Estrogen receptor beta was localized in Leydig and Sertoli cells of all ages but in only pre-pubertal germ cells and absent in peritubular myoid cells of all ages. Taken together, the data suggest that estrogen regulates steroidogenesis by acting through ERα and ERβ in the Leydig cells and promotes gametogenesis by acting through ERβ in the Sertoli cells and ERα in the germ cells. In contrast androgen receptors are not found in germ cells throughout development and thus are likely to support spermatogenesis by way of a paracrine/autocrine pathway via its receptors in Leydig, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-03-23 PubMed ID: 21497463DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.03.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the location and functions of different hormones receptors in the testicular cells of young, middle-aged, and adult stallions. The study focuses on the androgen receptor (AR) and two types of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), revealing their fluctuating concentrations at different maturity stages and their influence on reproduction-related functions.
Background and Study Purpose
- The researchers indicate that androgens (male hormones) and estrogens (female hormones) can control the function of different cells found in the testes, such as Leydig, Sertoli, peritubular myoid, and germ cells. They work by binding to the appropriate receptors on these cells, activating them to generate a specific reaction.
- This study was conducted to explore further the locations of AR and ERα/ERβ in stallions at different development stages: pre-pubertal, peri-pubertal, and post-pubertal.
Methodology
- Testes were collected from 21 horses of light horse breeds, ranging in age from three months to 27 years.
- The stallions were divided into pre-pubertal (3-11 months), peri-pubertal (12-23 months), and post-pubertal (2-27 years) age groups.
- The testicular tissue samples were then fixed and embedded. The research team used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify the presence of AR, ERα, and ERβ, a technique that was already verified for use in horses.
Results
- The study demonstrated that androgen receptors were found in Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells in all age groups, while estrogen receptor alpha was found in Leydig and germ cells of all ages. Nevertheless, ERα was only discovered in Sertoli cells of pre- and peri-pubertal horses, and in the peritubular myoid cells of post-pubertal ones.
- Meanwhile, estrogen receptor beta was found in Leydig and Sertoli cells irrespective of age. However, it was only present in the germ cells of pre-pubertal horses and was not found in the peritubular myoid cells of any age group.
Conclusions and Further Implications
- The researchers concluded that estrogens govern steroid production in Leydig cells through both ERα and ERβ, and facilitate gamete formation (gametogenesis) through ERβ in Sertoli cells and ERα in germ cells.
- On the other hand, androgen receptors were not located in germ cells at any development stage. They were found in Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells, suggesting that they support sperm production (spermatogenesis) through a paracrine/autocrine pathway.
- Understanding these hormone receptors’ distribution and influence on different cell types can offer valuable insights into stallion reproductive physiology and potentially guide strategies for improving stallion fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Pearl CA, Mason H, Roser JF.
(2011).
Immunolocalization of estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta and androgen receptor in the pre-, peri- and post-pubertal stallion testis.
Anim Reprod Sci, 125(1-4), 103-111.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.03.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism
- Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Leydig Cells / cytology
- Leydig Cells / metabolism
- Male
- Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
- Sertoli Cells / cytology
- Sertoli Cells / metabolism
- Sexual Maturation / physiology
- Testis / cytology
- Testis / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Shakeel M, Yoon M. Functions of somatic cells for spermatogenesis in stallions. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Jul;64(4):654-670.
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- 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).
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- Hess RA. Small tubules, surprising discoveries: from efferent ductules in the turkey to the discovery that estrogen receptor alpha is essential for fertility in the male. Anim Reprod 2015 Jan-Mar;12(1):7-23.
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- Li Q, Zhang F, Zhang S, Sheng X, Han X, Weng Q, Yuan Z. Seasonal expression of androgen receptor, aromatase, and estrogen receptor alpha and beta in the testis of the wild ground squirrel (Citellus dauricus Brandt). Eur J Histochem 2015 Feb 17;59(1):2456.
- Armansyah T, Husnurrizal H, Wahyuni S, Hafizuddin H, Siregar TN, Sutriana A, Sayuti A, Syahrani AT, Pariansyah MB. Direct and indirect effects of PGF2α administration in male Wistar rats based on increased expression of α-SMA and androgen receptor. Open Vet J 2024 Dec;14(12):3474-3486.
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