Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands.
Abstract: The expression pattern and distribution of sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes during development of the equine accessory sex glands has not previously been described. We hypothesized that equine steroidogenic enzyme and sex steroid receptor expression is dependent on reproductive status. Accessory sex glands were harvested from mature stallions, pre-pubertal colts, geldings, and fetuses. Expression of mRNA for estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), androgen receptor (AR), 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3βHSD), P450,17α hydroxylase, 17-20 lyase (CYP17), and aromatase (CYP19) were quantified by RT-PCR, and protein localization of AR, ER-α, ER-β, and 3βHSD were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of AR, ESR2, CYP17, or CYP19 in the ampulla was not different across reproductive statuses ( > 0.1), while expression of ESR1 was higher in the ampulla of geldings and fetuses than those of stallions or colts ( < 0.05). AR, ESR1 and ESR2 expression were decreased in stallion vesicular glands compared to the fetus or gelding, while AR, ESR1, and CYP17 expression were decreased in the bulbourethral glands compared to other glands. ESR1 expression was increased in the prostate compared to the bulbourethral glands, and no differences were seen with CYP19 or 3β-HSD. In conclusion, sex steroid receptors are expressed in all equine male accessory sex glands in all stages of life, while the steroidogenic enzymes were weakly and variably expressed.
Publication Date: 2021-08-06 PubMed ID: 34438779PubMed Central: PMC8388441DOI: 10.3390/ani11082322Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study focuses on identifying sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes in the accessory sex glands of horses to determine if their expression is influenced by reproductive status. The work shows these receptors are present across all male accessory sex glands and stages of life, but the steroidogenic enzymes display inconsistent and weak expressions, suggesting sensitivity to reproductive stage variations.
Research Design and Methods
- Accessory sex glands of several male horses were collected. These horses were of varied reproductive states, including mature stallions, pre-pubertal colts, geldings (neutered males), and fetuses.
- The mRNA expression of several sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes were identified and quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a laboratory technique often used to detect a specific DNA sequence in a DNA sample.
- These specific steroid receptors and enzymes included estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), androgen receptor (AR), 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3βHSD), P450, 17α hydroxylase, 17-20 lyase (CYP17), and aromatase (CYP19).
- Immunohistochemistry, a technique used to visually detect specific proteins in cells or tissue, was used to study protein localization of select sex steroid receptors in the equine accessory sex glands.
Findings
- The levels of AR, ESR2, CYP17, or CYP19 in the ampulla, a particular part of the male reproductive system, were not significantly influenced by the horses’ reproductive statuses.
- In contrast, the expression of ESR1 was found to be higher in geldings and fetuses than in stallions or colts.
- When comparing different accessory sex glands, researchers found decreased expressions of AR, ESR1, and ESR2 in stallion vesicular glands compared to geldings or fetuses.
- A similar decrease in the expression of AR, ESR1, and CYP17 was observed in bulbourethral glands compared to other glands.
- The prostate showed increased ESR1 expressions compared to the bulbourethral glands, whereas no differences were observed regarding CYP19 or 3β-HSD expressions.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that sex steroid receptors are present in all male accessory sex glands at all stages of life
- However, the expression of steroidogenic enzymes was weak and variable, suggesting an influence of reproductive status.
Cite This Article
APA
Ellerbrock RE, Podico G, Scoggin KE, Ball BA, Carossino M, Canisso IF.
(2021).
Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands.
Animals (Basel), 11(8), 2322.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082322 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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