title: Seasonal Changes in the Immunolocalization of Cytoskeletal Proteins and Laminin in the Testis of the Black-Backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas).
abstract: Manipulation of the reproductive activity of jackals is dependent on a thorough understanding of the reproductive biology of this species. This study describes seasonal morphological changes in the adult testis of the black-backed jackal in relation to the immunoexpression of the basement membrane marker, laminin and the cytoskeletal proteins, cytokeratin, smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Laminin was immunolocalized in basement membranes surrounding seminiferous tubules, as well as in basement membranes associated with Leydig, peritubular myoid and vascular smooth muscle cells. Scalloped basement membranes enclosed seminiferous tubules in regressing testes. The seminiferous epithelium and interstitial tissue in all animals studied were cytokeratin immunonegative. Smooth muscle actin was demonstrated in vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as in peritubular myoid cells encircling seminiferous tubules. Vimentin immunoreactivity was exhibited in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibrocytes. Vimentin immunostaining in Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular myoid cells varied depending on the functional state of the testis. The results of the study have shown that dramatic seasonal histological changes occur in the testes of the jackal. In addition, the use of immunohistochemistry accentuates these morphological changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa.
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Madekurozwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Booyse
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D046030:Jackals / Q000502:physiology*; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D007797:Laminin; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins