Melatonin regulates the development and function of bovine Sertoli cells via its receptors MT1 and MT2.
Melatonin and its receptors are found in the testis of many species, where they mediate testicular functions. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) in bovine Sertoli cells (SCs), using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. In addition, we assessed the mRNA levels of spermatogenesis-related genes (real-time PCR) and secretion of inhibin B after treatment with various concentrations (0, 80, 160, and 320 pg/mL) of melatonin at different time points (24, 48, or 72 h). We found that bovine SCs express MT1 and MT2 receptors, which were regulated by melatonin in time- and dose-dependent manners after treatment with melatonin. Exogenous melatonin up-regulated the expression of spermatogenesis-related genes, including Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, Pdgfa, Dhh, Occludin, and Claudin, and decreased the mRNA levels of P21 and Kit1 in a time or dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, melatonin supplementation significantly affected Inhba, Inhbb and Inha mRNA expression. These findings were consistent with inhibin B levels detected in the culture medium. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin acts via its receptors and appears to play regulatory roles in the development and function of bovine SCs.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre of China, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China.
Wu-Cai
WC
Yang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Ke-Qiong
KQ
Tang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre of China, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China.
Chang-Zhen
CZ
Fu
College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
Hasan
H
Riaz
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre of China, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China.
Qiong
Q
Zhang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre of China, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China. Electronic address: zanlinsen@163.com.
Lin-Sen
LS
Zan
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044122:Receptor, Melatonin, MT1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044123:Receptor, Melatonin, MT2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044122:Receptor, Melatonin, MT1; D044123:Receptor, Melatonin, MT2; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D008550:Melatonin
INHB; Melatonin; Melatonin receptors; Sertoli cells; mRNA expression