title: Analysis of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) gene transcription and protein distribution in the bovine testis.
abstract: Several fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are implicated in proliferation and differentiation of both somatic and germ cells during testicular development, as well as in spermatogenesis of adult testis. The expression of FGF2 was studied in the adult bovine testis using quantitative RT-PCR, RNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed consistent levels of FGF2 mRNA in parenchymal samples of the bovine testis. In situ hybridization localized FGF2 transcripts only in a constant fraction of Leydig and Sertoli cells as well as in modified Sertoli cells of the terminal segments. Immunohistochemistry revealed (a) no FGF2 protein in Sertoli cells (b) moderate cytoplasmic staining in Leydig cells and spermatogonia and (c) strong nuclear and faint cytoplasmic staining in myofibroblasts, in epithelial cells of straight tubules and rete testis and in blood vessels. These observations indicate a pleiotropic effect of FGF2 on the control of spermatogenesis in a paracrine and/or autocrine manner.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Anatomy II, University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abd-Elmaksoud
authors.forename: Margarete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vermehren
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nützel
authors.forename: Felix Andreas
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Habermann
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sinowatz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2