The localization of oxytocin and mesotocin in the reproductive tract of the male marsupial bandicoot Isoodon macrourus.
The cellular localization of oxytocin and mesotocin within the testis and prostate of the Northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus, was examined. Tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and immunoreactive cells and tissues were detected with antibodies to oxytocin and mesotocin. Immunoreactive oxytocin was present in the Leydig cells and in the spermatids of the adult and the 263-day bandicoots and there was faint staining in the 123-day bandicoot. Mesotocin was not present in the testes of the bandicoot. Immunoreactive oxytocin and mesotocin were present in the ventral portion of the prostate. The oxytocin within the testis may play a role in spermatogenesis and in seminiferous tubule contractility whereas the hormones present in the accessory glands may have a role in sperm transport in the female reproductive tract.
Department of Anatomy, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.
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D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
C001713:mesotocin; D010121:Oxytocin