title: Expression of VIP and its receptors in the testis of the spotted ray Torpedo marmorata (Risso 1880).
abstract: The aim of this work was to study, by immunoprecipitation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and the expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and of its receptors (VPAC(1)R and VPAC(2)R) in the testis of a nonmammalian vertebrate, the cartilaginous fish Torpedo marmorata. We demonstrated that, differently from mammals, VIP and VPAC(2)R were widely distributed in the testicular cells while the VPAC(1)R had a limited distribution. In details, we showed that VIP and VPAC(2)R were present in mitotic and differentiating germ cells as well as in the cells involved in the steroidogenesis, i.e., Leydig, Sertoli cells, and prespermatogonia and spermatogonia. The possibility that VIP is involved in the spermatogenesis and particularly in the steroidogenesis of T. marmorata is discussed.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Agnese
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Rosati
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Muriano
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Valiante
authors: Vincenza
authors: V
authors: Laforgia
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Andreuccetti
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Prisco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014101:Torpedo / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I; D013256:Steroids; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide