Effect of experimental varicocele on the expressions of Notch 1, 2, and 3 in rat testes: an immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
To study expressions of Notch receptor isoforms (Notch 1, 2, and 3) in normal and varicocele-induced rat testes to examine their possible functions in cell fate.


METHODS
Comparative and controlled study.


METHODS
Animal Care and Operation Unit, Akdeniz University.


METHODS
Wistar male rats for experimental and control groups.


METHODS
The control group underwent a sham operation (n = 6). The experimental groups underwent partial ligation of the renal vein to induce an experimental varicocele and then were killed 9 (n = 6), 11 (n = 6), and 13 (n = 6) weeks after the induction of varicocele.


METHODS
All tissues were fixed and routinely processed for paraffin embedding. Subsequent immunohistochemical studies were performed.


RESULTS
In the sham-operation rat testes, Leydig cells and elongated spermatids were immunopositive for Notch 1. Notch-2 expression was present in Leydig cells, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes. Notch-3 expression was limited to Leydig cells. Varicocele formation diminished the expression of both Notch-1 and Notch-2 receptors as the varicocele formation progressed over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that Notch 1 is related to the maturation of spermatids. Notch 2 is related to both proliferation and maturation of spermatogenic cells, whereas Notch 3 seems to be related to Leydig cell functions. The decrease of both Notch-1 and Notch-2 expression depended on the degree of varicocele development over time, indicating a potential role in varicocele-associated testicular dysfunction.
Sahin
Zeliha
Z
Department of Histology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
Bayram
Zubeyde
Z
Celik-Ozenci
Ciler
C
Akkoyunlu
Gokhan
G
Seval
Yasemin
Y
Erdogru
Tibet
T
Ustunel
Ismail
I
Baykara
Mehmet
M
Demir
Ramazan
R
D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D051883:Receptor, Notch2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism*
C497763:Notch1 protein, rat; C497766:Notch2 protein, rat; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D051883:Receptor, Notch2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014157:Transcription Factors