Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes P450scc, 3betaHSD, and P450c17 in the ovaries of wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

We investigated the distribution of 3 types of steroidogenic enzymes, P450scc, 3betaHSD, and P450c17, in wild raccoon dog ovaries by immunohistochemistry. Six pairs of ovaries were obtained from wild raccoon dogs between 2001 and 2003, with 3 of the 6 pairs of ovaries containing corpora lutea. P450scc, 3betaHSD, and P450c17 were localized in the granulosa and theca cells of these raccoon dogs. Furthermore, lutein cells were stained positively for P450scc and 3betaHSD in the pregnant and non-pregnant raccoon dogs. These results suggest that granulosa and theca cells may synthesize progesterone and androgens, which may play an important role in follicular development, and that lutein cells are a major source of progesterone in wild raccoon dogs.

Seasonal changes in immunolocalization of inhibin/activin subunits and testicular activity in wild male raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Thirty-four pairs of testes from wild adult raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were obtained between September 2000 and May 2003. The cellular localization of the inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits in wild raccoon dog testes was investigated. The testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured. There were marked seasonal variations in testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters, with values relatively low in September and high in March. Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were observed in September, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids were present in January. All types of spermatogenic cells, including mature spermatozoa, were found in March, indicating that the breeding season is around March in Japan. Thereafter, spermatogonia and degenerating spermatocytes were observed in April. The sections of testes were immunostained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method (ABC) using polyclonal antisera raised against porcine inhibin alpha, inhibin/activin betaA and inhibin/activin betaB. The inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits were only expressed in Leydig cells in September. On the other hand, the inhibin alpha, betaA, and betaB subunits were observed in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, in March. These results suggest that the testes of wild raccoon dogs have the ability to synthesize inhibins, and the cellular localization of inhibin/activin subunits showed season-related changes in the breeding and non-breeding seasons.