title: Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), androgen receptor, and connexin 43 in equine testes during puberty.
abstract: Sertoli cells are essential in development of a functional testis. During puberty, Sertoli cell maturation can be characterized by a number of markers, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor (AMHR2), androgen receptor (AR), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1B), and connexin 43 (Cx43). In the present study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to characterize changes in expression of AMH, AMHR2, AR, CDKN1B, and Cx43 in prepubertal, postpubertal, and adult equine testes. During puberty, AMH expression decreased, and expression of AR as well as CDKN1B increased in Sertoli cells coinciding with the period of Sertoli cell maturation, arrest of cell proliferation, and presumptive AMH regulation by testosterone. Expression of AMHR2 appeared to decrease in Sertoli cells and increase in Leydig cells during pubertal maturation of the equine testis. In addition, expression and distribution of Cx43 changed during puberty in the stallion, suggesting a role for Cx43 in Sertoli cell signaling and maturation, hormone secretion, and blood-testis barrier formation. We concluded that Sertoli cell maturation during puberty in the stallion was accompanied by a reduced expression of AMH and its receptor, arrest of cell proliferation, increased expression of AR, and organization of gap-junctional communication.
authors: Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Almeida
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Conley
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Mathewson
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Ball
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C084621:anti-Mullerian hormone receptor; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone