Vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is not restricted to clear cells of the epididymal epithelium in cattle.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2021;
63:262-271. [PMID:
33987602 PMCID:
PMC8071741 DOI:
10.5187/jast.2021.e32]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Communication among epididymal epithelial cells creates the best luminal
condition where spermatozoa mature, transport and are stored. Vacuolar ATPase
(V-ATPase) and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) have been used as signal indicators for
clear and basal cells of the epididymal epithelium, respectively, in mice, rats,
bats, and pigs; however, these two markers have not yet been described in the
epididymis of bulls. Here, we examined the presence and distribution of the B1
subunit of V-ATPase (B1-VATPase) and KRT5 in the distinct regions of adult
bovine epididymides, specifically, the caput, corpus, and cauda.
Immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy showed that narrow
shaped-clear cells were placed in the caput and corpus regions of the bovine
epididymis; however, they were absent in the cauda epididymis. In addition,
B1-VATPase was highly expressed in the cauda spermatozoa; however, it was rarely
detected in the caput spermatozoa. On the other hand, KRT5-positive cells, basal
cells, were maintained beneath the basal lamina and they had the traditional
form with a dome-shaped morphology from the caput to cauda region of the bovine
epididymis. The co-expression of B1-VATPase and KRT5 was confined to basal cells
placed in the basal region of the epithelium. In summary, 1) clear cells were
present with region-specific localization, 2) B1-VATPase was present in the
corpus and cauda spermatozoa but absent in the caput, 3) co-expressed cells with
B1-VATPase and KRT5 were present in the adult bovine epididymis, and 4)
B1-VATPase was not a specific marker for clear cells in the bovine epididymis.
Therefore, the perfect epididymal luminal condition created by the specific
expression and localization patterns of B1-VATPase might be necessary to obtain
fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in the bovine epididymis.
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