title: Estrogen response system in the reproductive tract of the male turtle: an immunocytochemical study.
abstract: Portions of the reproductive tract of the male (Trachemys scripta) turtle were examined by immunocytochemistry for evidence of the capacity to produce and respond to estrogen hormones (via the expression of P450 aromatase and estrogen receptors). Aromatase was detected in both the Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testis and was expressed at different levels during the spermatogenic cycle, being highest in the quiescent testis and lowest during germ cell meiosis. ERalpha was found in the Leydig cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules as well as in the epithelial cells of the excurrent canals (rete testis, efferent ductule, and epididymis). ERbeta immunoreactivity was found in both the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in the testis, and in the epithelial cells of excurrent canals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006, USA. daniel.gist@uc.edu
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gist
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: Carla M K
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Justin D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Congdon
authors.forename: Rex A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000032:analysis; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens; D001141:Aromatase