title: Identification of bovine prolactin in seminal fluid, and expression and localization of the prolactin receptor and prolactin-inducible protein in the testis and epididymis of bulls exposed to ergot alkaloids.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the presence and expression levels of bovine prolactin receptor (PRLR) and prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) in bovine testis and epididymis, and (2) the presence and concentrations of prolactin (PRL) present in seminiferous fluid in bulls consuming diets with (E+) or without (E-) ergot alkaloids. Bulls (n = 8) were sacrificed after 126 days (group A) of E+ or E- treatment or 60 days after all bulls (n = 6) were switched to the E- ration (group B). End point and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were conducted on testis and epididymis samples to establish the presence and relative expression of PRLR and PIP. Seminal fluid samples obtained from bulls consuming E- and E+ diets were subjected to RIA for PRL. Both PIP and PRLR were present in testis and epididymis as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Prolactin-inducible protein mRNA abundance was affected by time of slaughter in testis and epididymis head, respectively (P < 0.05). Prolactin receptor mRNA expression was affected by time of slaughter in the epididymis (P < 0.05) and differed in testis samples because of treatment (P < 0.05). Radioimmunoassay establishes the presence of PRL in seminal fluid; however, differences in the concentration of PRL over two separate studies were inconsistent, possibly because of differences in diet. The presence and localization of the PRLR are consistent with expression data reported for other species, and the presence of PIP and PRL in seminal fluid is consistent with data generated in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA. Electronic address: scottp@clemson.edu.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Calcatera
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Stowe
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dimmick
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Schrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Duckett
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Andrae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004881:Ergotism / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D006023:Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011388:Prolactin
keywords: Fescue toxicosis; Prolactin; Prolactin receptor; Prolactin-inducible protein