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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.
© 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2010-06-16 PubMed ID: 20546172DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01643.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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 17 times.- Ishimaru M, Matsui A, Seki K, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Mizukami H, Yoshida T, Taya K. Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Nov 18;84(12):1585-1594.
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- Chen KQ, Wei BH, Hao SL, Yang WX. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: How does it regulate development of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells?. Histol Histopathol 2022 Jul;37(7):621-636.
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- Baskerville CL, Chockalingham S, Harris PA, Bailey SR. The effect of insulin on equine lamellar basal epithelial cells mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. PeerJ 2018;6:e5945.
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- Xu W, Fu H, Meng X, Sun Y, Ning F, Du Z. Cloning and Spatiotemporal Expression Analysis of IGF1R Gene cDNA in Alopex lagopus (Arctic Fox). Life (Basel) 2025 May 17;15(5).
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