Tissue-specific gene expression as an indicator of epididymis-specific functional status in the boar, bull and stallion.
Abstract: cDNA probes derived from genes expressed specifically in the human epididymis were used to examine gene expression in the epididymides of boar, bull and stallion by Northern hybridization. Two probes for the HE1 and HE4 gene products were found to recognize tissue-specific transcripts in all three species, with a regionally differential distribution within the epididymis. Additionally, antibodies recognizing the HE4 protein were shown to react specifically in the epididymis of the boar and bull. An extensive study of the boar showed that, whereas mRNA for the HE1-homologue was up-regulated markedly only at puberty, the HE4-homologue was already present at moderate levels prepubertally. The distribution of the HE1-homologue changed at sexual maturity from a maximum in the cauda epididymis in the 3-4-week-old pig, to a maximum in the corpus/caput region in the adult, while the shift was in the opposite direction for the HE4-homologue. Evidently, gene expression is not fixed regionally through epididymal development in this species. The abdominal epididymis of a hemicryptorchid pig also showed a differential change in expression for the two gene products by comparison with the scrotal testis from the same animal. The results suggest that the HE1 and HE4 gene homologues may be sensitive markers for physiological changes within the mammalian epididymis, and that the boar could prove a useful model to examine the regulation of these human epididymal transcripts.
Publication Date: 1993-02-01 PubMed ID: 8096831DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1993.tb01153.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on gene expression in the epididymis, a part of the male reproductive organ, examining the roles of particular genes (HE1 and HE4) within the epididymis of boars, bulls and stallions. The study suggests differences in gene expression patterns could be indicative of physiological changes within the epididymis.
Research Methodology
- The scientists used cDNA probes, which are tools for detecting specific sequences of DNA or RNA within a mixture, derived from genes specifically expressed in the human epididymis.
- They utilized these probes to examine gene expression in the epididymides of boar, bull, and stallion through Northern hybridization. Northern blotting, or Northern hybridization, is a technique used in molecular biology research to study gene expression by detection of RNA.
Findings
- The two probes for the HE1 and HE4 gene products recognized tissue-specific transcripts in all three species, turning up differing results in different regions of the epididymis.
- Antibodies recognizing the HE4 protein reacted specifically in the boar and bull species’ epididymis.
- In a more detailed study of boar, it was found that the mRNA (messenger RNA) for the HE1-homologue (similar gene) was significantly up-regulated only at puberty. In sharp contrast, the HE4-homologue was already moderately expressed prior to puberty.
- The research also involved an observation of how the expression of these genes varied according to the developmental stage of the boar epididymis, highlighting that gene expression was not fixed.
Implications
- This research suggests HE1 and HE4 gene homologues could prove to be sensitive markers for physiological changes within the mammalian epididymis.
- The boar could be a useful model for studying the regulation of these human epididymal transcripts indicating that more inter-species study could offer valuable understanding about gene expression in human reproduction.
Cite This Article
APA
Uhlenbruck F, Sinowatz F, Amselgruber W, Kirchhoff C, Ivell R.
(1993).
Tissue-specific gene expression as an indicator of epididymis-specific functional status in the boar, bull and stallion.
Int J Androl, 16(1), 53-61.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.1993.tb01153.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Hormone and Fertility Research, University of Hamburg, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Cats
- Cattle
- Cryptorchidism / genetics
- Cryptorchidism / metabolism
- DNA Probes
- Dogs
- Epididymal Secretory Proteins
- Epididymis / metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Horses
- Humans
- Immunologic Techniques
- Male
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- Sexual Maturation
- Swine
- Testicular Hormones / genetics
- beta-Defensins
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Yimpring N, Roytrakul S, Jaresitthikunchai J, Phaonakrop N, Krobthong S, Suriyaphol G. Proteomic profiles of unilateral cryptorchidism in pigs at different ages using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and in-gel digestion coupled with mass spectrometry (GeLC-MS/MS) approaches.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Oct 2;16(1):373.
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