Tamada H, Takemoto K, Tominaga M, Kawate N, Takahashi M, Hatoya S, Matsuyama S, Inaba T, Sawada T. Expression and localization of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-α and epidermal growth factor receptor in the canine testis.
J Reprod Dev 2015;
62:59-64. [PMID:
26498203 PMCID:
PMC4768112 DOI:
10.1262/jrd.2015-079]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and EGF receptor
(EGF-R) and the localization of the corresponding proteins in the canine testis were studied. Levels of mRNA
expressions were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the testes
of the peripubertal (4–6 months), young adult (3–4 years), advanced adult (7–8 years) and senescent (11–16
years) groups. The EGF-R mRNA level in the testes of the peripubertal group was significantly higher than
those in the other groups, whereas there was no difference in EGF and TGF-α mRNA levels among groups.
Immunohistochemical stainings for EGF, TGF-α and EGF-R in the testis revealed that immunoreactivity in the
seminiferous epithelium and Sertoli cell was weak and nonspecific for the stage of spermatogenesis, and
distinct staining was found in Leydig cells. These results suggest that the EGF family of growth factors may
be involved in testicular maturation and function in the dog.
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