PACAP and PAC₁ receptor in the reproductive cycle of male lizard Podarcis sicula.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide involved in multiple functions, including vertebrate reproduction. Recently, we reported the presence of PACAP in the testis of Italian wall lizard Podarcis sicula during reproductive period (May-June). Herein we investigated the PACAP mRNA expression and the localization of PACAP/PACAP receptor system, in the other periods of the Podarcis reproductive cycle, namely in summer stasis, early autumnal resumption, mid-autumnal resumption, winter stasis, and spring resumption. Using biomolecular and immunohistochemical investigations, we demonstrated that PACAP mRNA was widely expressed in all germ and somatic cells; in summer stasis (July-August) and early autumnal resumption (September) in particular, the mRNA was always found in Sertoli cells while was transiently expressed in germ and in Leydig cells. Differently from the mRNA, the protein was always present in germ and somatic cells independently from the reproductive cycle phase. As PACAP, the PAC1 receptor was always present in the testis, except for the summer stasis (July-August) and the early autumnal resumption (September), when PACAP was lacking in germ and somatic cells (Leydig and Sertoli cells). The present results strongly suggest that PACAP/PAC1 receptor system is widely represented during the reproductive cycle of male lizard. The possible involvement of PACAP/PACAP receptor system in the control of spermatogenesis is discussed.
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Luigi
L
Rosati
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Marina
M
Prisco
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Francesca
F
Coraggio
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Valiante
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Rosaria
R
Scudiero
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Vincenza
V
Laforgia
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy. Electronic address: piero.andreuccetti@unina.it.
Piero
P
Andreuccetti
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Italy.
Marisa
M
Agnese
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I
PAC(1)R; PACAP; Podarcis sicula; Reproductive cycle; Spermatogenesis