title: Immunolocalization of estrogen and androgen receptors in the caput epididymidis of the fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus): Effects of seasonal variations, castration and efferent duct ligation.
abstract: The fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus) is a model to study seasonal reproductive cycle changes and several metabolic disorders. In order to show a possible involvement of estrogens in the male reproductive functions, the expression of estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and androgen receptor (AR) were investigated in the caput epididymidis of fat sand rats during the breeding season, resting season, after castration, after castration followed by testosterone treatment, and after ligation of efferent ducts. In the breeding season, principal cells presented a strong immunostaining of AR in both nuclei and cytoplasm, a strong staining of ESR1, mainly in the apical zone, and a strong immunoexpression of ESR2, mainly in nuclei. In the resting season, a moderate immunostaining of AR in both cytoplasm and nuclei was observed. ESR1 staining showed a strong immunoreactivity in the nuclei. In contrast, the nuclei were negative for ESR2. After castration, a low and selective signal distribution was observed: the nuclei were moderately positive for AR and ESR2, and negative for ESR1. After castration and testosterone treatment, an androgen-dependence for AR and the restoration of ESR1 but not ESR2 immunoexpression were observed. After ligation of the efferent ducts, a considerable reduction of AR immunoreactivity was observed in contrast to ESR1 and ESR2, which gave a strong immunostaining signal. These results illustrate the complexity of the regulation of the androgen and estrogen receptor expression in the epididymis and argue for the coexistence of both androgenic and estrogenic pathways.
authors.affiliation: Small Vertebrates' Reproduction, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, El Alia, Algiers, Algeria. Electronic address: menadrafik@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menad
authors.affiliation: Small Vertebrates' Reproduction, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, El Alia, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Souaâd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smaï
authors.affiliation: University of Lyon, UMRS 449, Laboratory of General Biology, Catholic University of Lyon, Reproduction and Comparative Development/EPHE, Lyon Cedex 02, France.
authors.forename: Elara
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moudilou
authors.affiliation: Mammal Ecophysiology, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, El Alia, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khammar
authors.affiliation: University of Lyon, UMRS 449, Laboratory of General Biology, Catholic University of Lyon, Reproduction and Comparative Development/EPHE, Lyon Cedex 02, France. Electronic address: jmexbrayat@univ-catholyon.fr.
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Exbrayat
authors.affiliation: Small Vertebrates' Reproduction, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, El Alia, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Thérèse
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gernigon-Spychalowicz
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Androgen receptors; Caput epididymidis; Estrogen receptors; Fat sand rat; Immunohistochemistry