Disrupted expression of intermediate filaments in the testis of rhesus monkey after experimental cryptorchidism.
Cytoskeletons in Sertoli cell play an important role in process of spermatogenesis. The expression and distribution of the intermediate filaments, vimentin, keratin and desmin, were studied in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis of rhesus monkey. Vimentin was localized in the perinuclear region of Sertoli cells of the normal testis. An intense increase in vimentin immunoreactivity was observed with appearance of disorganized staining in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testes. Cytokeratin 18, a marker of immature Sertoli cells, re-expressed in the cells of the adult cryptorchid testes. Desmin was also observed in the Sertoli cells in addition to the peritubular myoid cells on 30 days after the cryptorchid operation. These data suggest that Sertoli cells in primate can be affected by the heat stress. The altered changes in intermediate filaments could be possible to induce the Sertoli cell functional changes that would partially contribute to the germ cell apoptosis leading to azoospermia or oligozoospermia.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100080, China.
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Zhang
Zhao-Yuan
ZY
Hu
Xin-Xin
XX
Song
Li-Juan
LJ
Xiao
Ru-Jin
RJ
Zou
Chun-Sheng
CS
Han
Yi-Xun
YX
Liu
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D015153:Blotting, Western; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000378:metabolism*; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins