Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2010; 46(2); 221-228; doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01643.x

Localization of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in equine testes.

Abstract: The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a key regulator of reproductive functions. IGF-I actions are primarily mediated by IGF-IR. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of IGF-I and IGF-I Receptor (IGF-IR) in stallion testicular tissue. The hypotheses of this study were (i) IGF-I and IGF-IR are present in stallion testicular cells including Leydig, Sertoli, and developing germ cells, and (ii) the immunolabelling of IGF-I and IGF-IR varies with age. Testicular tissues from groups of 4 stallions in different developmental ages were used. Rabbit anti-human polyclonal antibodies against IGF-I and IGF-IR were used as primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and Western blot. At the pre-pubertal and pubertal stages, IGF-I immunolabelling was present in spermatogonia and Leydig cells. At post-pubertal, adult and aged stages, immunolabelling of IGF-I was observed in spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa) and Leydig cells. Immunolabelling of IGF-IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at the pre-pubertal stage. The immunolabelling becomes stronger as the age of animals advance through the post-pubertal stage. Strong immunolabelling of IGF-IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at post-puberty, adult and aged stallions; and faint labelling was seen in spermatocytes at these ages. Immunolabelling of IGF-I and IGF-IR was not observed in Sertoli cells. In conclusion, IGF-I is localized in equine spermatogenic and Leydig cells, and IGF-IR is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells, suggesting that the IGF-I may be involved in equine spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function as a paracrine/autocrine factor.
Publication Date: 2010-06-16 PubMed ID: 20546172DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01643.xGoogle 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 presence and role of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its receptor (IGF-IR) in the testes of horses. Findings indicate that IGF-I and IGF-IR are present in different types of testicular cells across different stages of maturity, suggesting it may play a role in sperm production and function of these cells.

Objective and Hypotheses

  • The main objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of IGF-I and IGF-IR in stallion testicular tissue.
  • The researchers hypothesized that both IGF-I and IGF-IR are found in various testicular cells, including Leydig, Sertoli, and developing germ cells, and that their level of presence varies with age.

Methods

  • The study used testicular tissues from stallions at different developmental stages.
  • Rabbit anti-human polyclonal antibodies against IGF-I and IGF-IR were used as primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and Western blot tests, which allowed the researchers to identify these substances in the testicular tissue samples.

Findings

  • The results show the presence of IGF-I in spermatogonia and Leydig cells during pre-pubertal and pubertal stages, and in spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells during post-pubertal, adult, and aged stages.
  • IGF-IR, on the other hand, was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at the pre-pubertal stage and in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and Leydig cells at post-puberty, adult and aged stages.
  • Notably, no IGF-I and IGF-IR were detected in Sertoli cells across all age categories.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that IGF-I is localized in equine spermatogenic and Leydig cells and IGF-IR is found in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and Leydig cells.
  • This suggests that IGF-I may play a role in equine spermatogenesis (sperm production) and Leydig cell function, potentially acting as a paracrine/autocrine factor, which is a chemical that communicates with the same or nearby cells.

Cite This Article

APA
Yoon MJ, Berger T, Roser JF. (2010). Localization of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in equine testes. Reprod Domest Anim, 46(2), 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01643.x

Publication

ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 2
Pages: 221-228

Researcher Affiliations

Yoon, M J
  • Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Berger, T
    Roser, J F

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antibodies / immunology
      • Antibody Specificity
      • Blotting, Western
      • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
      • Horses / physiology
      • Immunohistochemistry
      • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics
      • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
      • Male
      • Rabbits
      • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / genetics
      • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
      • Testis / cytology
      • Testis / metabolism

      Citations

      This article has been cited 14 times.
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