[Distribution of attractin protein and mRNA in the testis of rat of different ages].
OBJECTIVE
Given the fact that the Attractin protein express widely in the testis of mature male rat, this paper aims at studying the distribution of the Attractin protein and Attractin mRNA in the testicular tissue of rats of different ages.


METHODS
Testes and epididymides were obtained from newborn (8 hours after birth), prepubertal (5 days), pubertal (20 days), postpubertal (50 days) and mature (70 days) Wistar rats; the tissues were fixed and the Attractin protein and mRNA detected respectively by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques.


RESULTS
The Attractin protein and mRNA expressed respectively within Leydig cells, primitive spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells. The Attractin protein stain was mainly located on the cell membrane and cytoplasm, and Attractin mRNA distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm. There was no immunopositive staining in spermatozoa and epididymides.


CONCLUSIONS
The Attractin protein and Attractin mRNA are both expressed widely in the testis of rats of different ages. It suggests that the rat testis has the ability of synthesizing the Attractin protein throughout sexual development, but its physiological function and biochemical mechanism yet remain to be further studied.
Liu
Juan
J
Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. liujuan197@126.com
Xiong
Cheng-liang
CL
Shen
Shi-liang
SL
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
C117928:Atrn protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger