Bcl-2 and Bax are involved in experimental cryptorchidism-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis in rhesus monkey.
Apoptosis occurs spontaneously during spermatogenesis. However, little is known about its regulation in primate. Using an experimental cryptorchidism model in rhesus monkey, we have investigated the relationship between apoptosis and the Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-2 and Bax. Apoptotic cells were identified by in situ end labeling of fragmented DNA. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in the testes during the heat stress-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques. The results showed that the apoptotic signals increased after heat treatment and the most susceptible cell types were spermatocytes and spermatids. A redistribution of Bax from the cytoplasmic to nuclear localization in some germ cells was observed. However, its total expression levels in the cells remained unchanged in the cryptorchid testes as determined by Western blot analysis; on the other hand, Bcl-2 levels increased significantly in response to heat stress. The subcellular redistribution of Bax and the increase in Bcl-2 expression in the cryptorchid testis suggest an involvement of Bcl-2 family members in heat stress-induced germ-cell apoptosis.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 25 Western Road of Beisihuan, Haidian District, Beijing 100080, China.
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Zhang
Xuan
X
Jin
Xue-Sen
XS
Zhang
Zhao-Yuan
ZY
Hu
Ru-Jin
RJ
Zou
Chun-Sheng
CS
Han
Yi-Xun
YX
Liu
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000378:metabolism*; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019938:Cyclin D1