title: Expression of FGF2 and TGFalpha and testis morphology during testicular hypertrophy subsequent to hemicastration in the neonatal boar.
abstract: The objective was to ascertain fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) mRNA expression and testis morphology during accelerated testicular growth after hemicastration in the neonatal boar. On Day 10 after birth (Day 0), boars were assigned to control (n = 28), no treatment; hemicastrated (n = 28), left testis removed. The right testis in both groups (n = 7) was removed on Days 5, 10, 15, and 20. Expression of mRNA for FGF2, EGF, and TGFalpha was determined by qRT-PCR using TaqMan. Testicular morphology was determined on Day 15. On Day 10, hemicastrated boars had a greater (P = 0.01) testis weight (6.2 +/- 0.8 g; mean +/- SEM) than controls (4.3 +/- 0.4 g) and on Day 15 testis weight in hemicastrated boars (8.8 +/- 0.8 g) was twice (P < 0.01) that of control boars (4.2 +/- 0.3 g). Seminiferous tubule volume was approximately doubled in hemicastrated boars (P < 0.01) and was associated with an increase (P < 0.01) in Sertoli cell number. Interstitial compartment volume was greater (P < 0.01) in hemicastrated boars. Leydig cell numbers were similar (P = 0.14) but volume was greater (P < 0.01) for hemicastrates. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between control and hemicastrated boars in TGFalpha or FGF2 expression on Day 5 or Day 10, and EGF was not detected. It was concluded that upregulation of TGFalpha or FGF2 expression is not a pre-requisite for enhanced testicular growth and increased Sertoli cell proliferation that occurs subsequent to hemicastration in the neonatal boar.
authors.affiliation: School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Wreford
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duckett
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: D'Occhio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001483:Base Sequence; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D009929:Organ Size; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor