title: Expression and hormonal modulation of the thromboxane A2 receptor gene in mammalian testicular arteries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a biologically potent arachidonate metabolite which causes vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of TXA2 receptors in mammalian testicular arteries and the influence of exogenous gonadotropin administration on their expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental animals in an academic research environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven rams aged 4-6 years, weighing 60-90 kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both testicular arteries of seven rams were extracted before (from one testis) and after (from the opposite testis) IV administration of 5,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of the TXA2 receptor gene was investigated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by means of Student t test. Results were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. A P value of <.01 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of TXA2 messenger RNA receptor in all the basal samples, but the expression of TXA2 receptor gene was undetectable in all the arteries obtained 24 h after the administration of hCG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results demonstrated for the first time the presence of TXA2 receptors in mammalian testicular arteries. Results also showed that their expression was down-regulated after hCG administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. matteo.maria@libero.it
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matteo
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cicinelli
authors.forename: Raffaele Luigi
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sciorsci
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grandone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardo
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Colaizzo
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Pantaleo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2