[Expression patterns of age-related molecule c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the rat testis and epididymis].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the differences in the expressions of c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of rats aged different months, investigate the regular changes in the expression of characteristic molecules in the ripening and senescent process of the testis and epididymis, and provide experimental evidence for studies on the aging of the male reproductive system.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into a young group (6-month-old, n=10), an adult group (12-month-old, n=10) and an aged group (24-month-old, n=10). The immunohistochemical SP method was used to examine c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of the rats.


RESULTS
The positive immunohistochemical reaction to c-kit was observed mainly in spermatogonia, weakly in other cells and also in the epithelia and lumens of the epididymis. The abundant expression of HIWI was detected in all stages of spermatogenic cells in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-old and 12-month-old rats. Moreover, spermatogonias and primary spermatocytes displayed intense expression. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, myoid cells and vascular endothelial cells (VEC) were also HIWI-positive cells. But the positive expression decreased with age in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats (P > 0.05). vimentin expression was weak in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-olds but increased significantly in the 24-month-olds (P > 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The expressions of c-kit and HIWI decreased in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats, while vimentin expression increased markedly with age. The results suggest that the aging of the testis and epididymis is closely related to the abnormal transduction of cell signals.
Duan
Yong-gang
YG
Reproductive Medicine Center/Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. hnlydyg@163.com
Xiong
Zhong-ming
ZM
Li
Jian-xiong
JX
Zhu
Chang-hong
CH
Liu
Zi-long
ZL
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D011506:Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; C528819:hiwi protein, rat; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit