Abstract
Sertoli cells are essential in development of a functional testis. During puberty, Sertoli cell maturation can be characterized by a number of markers, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), and connexin 43 (Cx43). In the present study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to characterize changes in expression of AMH, AMHR2, AR, CDKN1B, and Cx43 in prepubertal, postpubertal, and adult equine testes. During puberty, AMH expression decreased, and expression of AR as well as CDKN1B increased in Sertoli cells coinciding with the period of Sertoli cell maturation, arrest of cell proliferation, and presumptive AMH regulation by testosterone. Expression of AMHR2 appeared to decrease in Sertoli cells and increase in Leydig cells during pubertal maturation of the equine testis. In addition, expression and distribution of Cx43 changed during puberty in the stallion, suggesting a role for Cx43 in Sertoli cell signaling and maturation, hormone secretion, and blood-testis barrier formation. We concluded that Sertoli cell maturation during puberty in the stallion was accompanied by a reduced expression of AMH and its receptor, arrest of cell proliferation, increased expression of AR, and organization of gap-junctional communication.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 847-857 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Theriogenology |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 15 2012 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported the John P. Hughes Endowment, UC Davis Center for Equine Health, CAPES, and Fulbright. The authors thank the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Dr. J. Roser (University of California, Davis) and Dr. M. Yoon (University of California, Davis) for providing some of the samples used in this study.
Keywords
- Anti-Müllerian hormone
- Horse
- Puberty
- Sertoli cell
- Stallion
- Testis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Small Animals
- Food Animals
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Equine