Immunolocalization of PTHrP in the European bison and pine vole testis and epididymis.
The present study deals with immunohistochemical localization of PTHrP in European bison and pine vole testis and epididymis. PTHrP immunoreactivity was observed in spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules in European bison and pine vole testis, with the strongerst reaction occurring in spermatozoa of pine vole testis and epididymal duct. We also observed PTHrP expression in vascular smooth muscle of epididymis and testis in both animal species, as well as slightly weaker reaction in endothelial cells of European bison epididymis. PTHrP was also expressed in the smooth muscle of the epididymal duct in European bison and pine vole. In conclusion, PTHrP is a multifunctional peptide showing both paracrine and autocrine action. Its presence in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle of testis and epididymis is connected with the regulation of vascular muscle tone, thus affecting blood flow in the vessels. PTHrP expression depends on a number of local factors. Moreover, we suppose that PTHrP also contributes to the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells.
Czykier
E
E
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Białystok, Poland. czykier@amb.ac.bialystok.pl
Zabel
M
M
Surdyk-Zasada
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D016164:Bison / Q000378:metabolism*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins