Lactoferrin expression and secretion in the stallion epididymis.
Abstract: Lactoferrin is one of the most abundant proteins secreted by the stallion epididymis, but its cellular localization and regulation remain unknown. This study was designed to address the following objectives: (1) identify the epididymal cell types producing lactoferrin in pre-pubertal, peri-pubertal and post-pubertal animals; (2) demonstrate that lactoferrin binds to stallion sperm; and (3) determine if testosterone and estradiol regulate lactoferrin secretion in vitro. Using an immunohistochemical method, lactoferrin was localized in the cytoplasm of principal cells in the corpus and cauda of peri- and post-pubertal animals. The epididymis of pre-pubertal animals did not express lactoferrin. Immunolabeling of lactoferrin was also observed on the mid-piece and tail of the sperm. The role of estradiol and testosterone in regulating secretion of lactoferrin in the post-pubertal epididymis was investigated using tissue culture methods. Lactoferrin concentration in the culture media was determined by validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Testosterone did not increase the concentration of lactoferrin in the media in any epididymal region. In contrast, estradiol-17β significantly increased the concentration of lactoferrin in the media containing tissue from the cauda. In conclusion, the expression of lactoferrin was found in the cytoplasm of principal cells in the corpus and cauda of the epididymis in peri- and post-pubertal stallions but not pre-pubertal stallions. Furthermore, lactoferrin binds to sperm, suggesting a biological role for protection or regulation of sperm in the corpus and cauda. In addition, estrogen appears to regulate lactoferrin secretion in the cauda of the epididymis in post-pubertal stallions.
Copyright © 2014 Society for Biology of Reproduction & the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-11-01 PubMed ID: 24856474DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.10.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the expression and regulation of lactoferrin, a prevalent protein in the stallion epididymis, across different puberty stages and its binding to stallion sperm. It further explores the effects of testosterone and estradiol on lactoferrin secretion.
Objectives and Methodology
- The study was designed with three primary objectives. First, it aimed to identify the epididymal cells which produce lactoferrin in pre-puberty, during puberty, and post-puberty. Second, it intended to prove that lactoferrin binds itself to stallion sperm. Lastly, it aimed to determine if testosterone and estradiol function as regulators of lactoferrin secretion in vitro.
- An immunohistochemical method was utilized in this study. This method involves using antibodies to target specific proteins or antigens in cells or tissues. The change in color shows the presence and localization of the target protein or antigen.
Findings of the Research
- The findings show that lactoferrin was found in the cytoplasm of principal cells in the corpus and cauda of stallions during and after puberty. However, it was not expressed in pre-pubertal stallions.
- Lactoferrin was also observed on the mid-piece and tail of the sperm, suggesting it may play a role in protecting or controlling sperm within the corpus and cauda.
Role of Testosterone and Estradiol
- The role of testosterone and estradiol in lactoferrin secretion was investigated in post-pubertal stallions using tissue culture methods.
- The study finds that testosterone did not increase lactoferrin concentration in any region of the epididymis whereas estradiol-17β significantly increased lactoferrin concentration in the media containing tissue originating from the cauda.
- The results suggest that it is estrogen and not testosterone that appears to regulate lactoferrin secretion within the cauda of the epididymis in post-pubertal stallions.
In conclusion, it is evident that the expression of lactoferrin seen in stallions during and after puberty could have biological implications in sperm protection and regulation. Moreover, unlike testosterone, estrogen seems to have control over lactoferrin secretion in the epididymis of post-pubertal stallions.
Cite This Article
APA
Pearl CA, Roser JF.
(2013).
Lactoferrin expression and secretion in the stallion epididymis.
Reprod Biol, 14(2), 148-154.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.repbio.2013.10.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA; Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: christopher.pearl@wmich.edu.
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cytoplasm / metabolism
- Epididymis / drug effects
- Epididymis / metabolism
- Estradiol / pharmacology
- Horses
- Lactoferrin / genetics
- Lactoferrin / metabolism
- Male
- Sexual Maturation / physiology
- Spermatozoa / metabolism
- Testosterone / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Su J, Wang C, Song Y, Yang Y, Cao G. Effect of lactoferrin on ram sperm motility after cryopreservation. Anim Biosci 2022 Sep;35(9):1351-1359.
- 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).
- Carvajal-Serna M, Fatnassi M, Torres-Ruda F, Cardozo JA, Grajales-Lombana H, Hammadi M, Abecia JA, Muiño-Blanco T, Pérez-Pe R, Cebrián-Pérez JÁ, Casao A. Vasectomy and Photoperiodic Regimen Modify the Protein Profile, Hormonal Content and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ram Seminal Plasma. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Oct 29;21(21).
- Liang L, Wang ZJ, Ye G, Tang XY, Zhang YY, Kong JX, Du HH. Distribution of Lactoferrin Is Related with Dynamics of Neutrophils in Bacterial Infected Mice Intestine. Molecules 2020 Mar 25;25(7).
- Martínez-Traverso GB, Pearl CA. Immunolocalization of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor in the rat epididymis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015 May 27;13:48.
- Nie J, Chen H, Zhao X. Advancement and Potential Applications of Epididymal Organoids. Biomolecules 2024 Aug 17;14(8).
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