Cellular localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the rat testis.
Several growth factors are critical regulators of testicular development. Recently, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to promote the differentiation and proliferation of various cell types and to stimulate the release of vascular endothelial growth factor during tissue growth. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible expression of PACAP in immature and adult rat testes by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. PACAP transcripts were detected in both immature and adult tissues, but the level of PACAP expression depended on the age of the animal. It was expressed in the peritubular and interstitial cells of the 14-day-old testis and in seminiferous tubules of the 90-day-old-testis. It was strongly expressed in blood vessels at 14 days, moderately at 28 days and only weakly at 90 days. These results suggest that PACAP contributes to the growth and differentiation of peritubular and interstitial cells, and of blood vessels, during testicular development.
Koh
Phil Ok
PO
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju 660-751, Korea.
Noh
Hae Sook
HS
Kim
Yoon Sook
YS
Cheon
Eun Woo
EW
Kim
Hyun Joon
HJ
Kang
Sang Soo
SS
Cho
Gyeong Jae
GJ
Choi
Wan Sung
WS
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger