Localization of NGF and nNOS in varicocele-induced rat testis.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is synthesized in male germ cells. The presence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in Leydig cells is related to its role in the regulation of testosterone release. Varicocele is often characterized by abnormal sperm quality and influences the fertilizing capacity of the haploid gamete. We investigated the localization of NGF and nNOS in testes of adult Wistar rats with experimentally induced varicocele after 9, 11, and 13 weeks, as well as in sham-operated controls by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In control testis, we detected NGF in nuclei of Sertoli cells and also as small vesicular-like structures in the cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes, and in round and elongating spermatids. Varicocele-induction revealed a slight decrease of NGF at 13 weeks, especially in Sertoli cells. In control tissue, nNOS protein was present mainly in Leydig cells and in Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Additionally, nNOS immunoreactivity was present in the heads of elongated spermatids. Western blot results revealed that the decrease of NGF was not significant in the 13-week varicocele group, moreover, the amount of nNOS was not altered in any of the varicocele groups. In conclusion, NGF and nNOS have important roles for normal gametogenesis and our data for the first time indicates that varicocele induction does not necessarily affect the expression of NGF and nNOS. Thus, these two molecules do not appear to be related to varicocele induction.
Celik-Ozenci
Ciler
C
Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. cilercelik@yahoo.com
Bayram
Zubeyde
Z
Akkoyunlu
Gokhan
G
Korgun
Emin Turkay
ET
Erdogru
Tibet
T
Seval
Yasemin
Y
Ustunel
Ismail
I
Baykara
Mehmet
M
Demir
Ramazan
R
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I