title: Age-associated and tissue-specific expression of osteopontin in male Hu sheep reproductive tract.
abstract: Osteopontin (OPN) is indispensable in mammalian reproduction, but the role of OPN in male reproductive tract and fertility remains unclear. The objective of this study is to elucidate the function of OPN by unveiling the localization and expression of OPN in the reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens) of male Hu sheep in different ages (10-days, 4-months, and 8-months). To accomplish this, the localization, mRNA and protein expression patterns of OPN in all samples were investigated. Immune staining showed that OPN was present in the testicular interstitium of prepubertal Hu sheep testis (10-days and 4-months group), while it was immunostained in acrosomes of spermatids nearby adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules in sexual maturity Hu sheep testis (8-months group). The localization of OPN in epididymis gradually changed from the loose connective tissue to the apical region of principal cells (pseudostratified columnar epithelium) with growing (10-days to 8-months). In addition, increase trend was observed in the mRNA expression levels of OPN with growing in the same reproductive tissues (P<0.05). Furthermore, two different OPN isoforms of 30kDa and 34kDa were detected in the reproductive tract of male Hu sheep by western blot. Immunofluorescence detection showed that OPN was localized in the cauda epididymal spermatozoa. These results suggested that the expression of OPN might be closely related to spermatogenesis and spermatozoa function in Hu sheep. This will be helpful for us to understand how OPN regulate the high reproductive capacity in Hu sheep.
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Guo-Min
authors: GM
authors: Zhang
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Shan
authors: S
authors: Lan
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Ruo-Xin
authors: RX
authors: Jia
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Guang-Yao
authors: GY
authors: Yan
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Li-Zhong
authors: LZ
authors: Wang
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Hai-Ttao
authors: HT
authors: Nie
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Zhi-Hai
authors: ZH
authors: Lei
authors: Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. Electronic address: caeet@njau.edu.cn.
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000254:growth & development; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007985:Leydig Cells; D008297:Male; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000254:growth & development; D012756:Sheep; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053495:Osteopontin
keywords: Hu sheep; Male reproductive tract; Osteopontin; Testis