title: Expression of the androgen receptor in the testes and the concentrations of gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones in male turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) during growth and development.
abstract: Androgens, including testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A4), are essential for puberty, fertility and sexual functions. The biological activity of those hormones is mediated via the androgen receptor (AR). The regulation of androgen action in birds is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study analysed mRNA and protein expression of AR in the testes, plasma concentrations of the luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), T, A4 and oestradiol (E2), as well as the levels of T, A4 and E2 in testicular homogenates of male turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) at the age of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28weeks. Plasma concentrations of LH and FSH, as well as plasma and testicular levels of T and A4 began to increase at 20weeks of age. The lowest plasma levels of E2 were noted at 20weeks relative to other growth stages. The 20th week of life seems to be the key phase in the development of the reproductive system of turkeys. The AR protein was found in the nuclei of testicular cells in all examined growth stages. Higher expression of AR protein in the testes beginning at 20weeks of age was accompanied by high plasma concentrations of LH and high plasma and testicular levels of androgens. This relationship seems to be necessary to regulate male sexual function.
authors: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego St. 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: jacek.kiezun@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kiezun
authors: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego St. 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: anna.leska@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Leska
authors: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego St. 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: barbara.kaminska@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Kaminska
authors: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego St. 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: janj@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jankowski
authors: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego St. 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: luizad@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dusza
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014422:Turkeys / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Androgen receptor; Gonadotropins; Male turkeys; Sex steroid hormones; Testis