title: Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) in the Polish free-ranged bull populations of the European bison (Bison bonasus L.).
abstract: This study describes the diversity of vestigial male uteri of the European bison (Eb) examined for: (1) morphology, (2) glycoprotein localization, (3) total protein and glycoprotein profiles, (4) steroid concentrations, and (5) PMDS based on the mutation of AMH and AMHR2 genes. Uteri of adult bulls (5-12 years old) were compared to a uterus of a juvenile female (6 months old). Male uterine proteins were analyzed in parallel to secretory endometrial proteins of pseudo-pregnant pig (PsEND) and BSA used as profile-controls. Hematoxylin/eosin-staining revealed the diversity of male uterine morphology, including lumen size/shape, endometrial (END) gland density, luminal knob-like epithelial structures and multiple intrauterine cells proliferating within the lumen. PAS-staining revealed the presence of glycoproteins restricted to luminal epithelial cells and END glands. Heterologous total protein PAGE-profiles (20-66kDa) revealed two dominant fractions (66 and 45kDa), similar to PAS-profiles (67 and 47kDa) in male and female uterine tissues. In male uterine tissues, androstendione and progesterone, but not testosterone, estrone or estradiol concentrations were lower than in the female. Sequencing of AMH- and AMHR2-like amplicons allowed identification of these gene mutations in Eb. Our results provide novel data regarding PMDS, demonstrating the diversity of uterine morphology, glycoprotein mass/profile, steroid concentration and AMH/AMHR2 mutations in Eb bulls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Panasiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamojska
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bieniek
authors.affiliation: Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gizejewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland. Electronic address: szafran@uwm.edu.pl.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szafranska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D016164:Bison / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D058490:Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY / Q000662:veterinary*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D023281:Genomics; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: AMH; AMHR; European bison; Male uterus; Vestigial masculine uterus; Wisent