title: Seasonal expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor in the scented gland of the male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus).
abstract: Accumulating evidence has shown that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) may influence the functions of nongonadal tissues in addition to their classic target gonads. Our previous studies revealed that the scented glands of male muskrats expressed prolactin receptor, steroidogenic enzymes, and inhibin/activin subunits. To further seek the evidence of the activities of pituitary gonadotropins in scented glands, we investigated the seasonal expression patterns of FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR). The weight and size of scented glands during the breeding season were significantly higher than those during the nonbreeding season. Immunohistochemical studies showed that FSHR was present in the serous cells of scented glands, whereas LHCGR was present in the interstitial cells. The protein and mRNA expression levels of FSHR and LHCGR were significantly higher in the scented glands during the breeding season than those during the nonbreeding season. Importantly, the levels of circulating FSH and LH were remarkably higher during the breeding season. Taken together, these results suggested that gonadotropins may affect the function of muskrat scented gland via the locally expressed receptors in a season-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Haolin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Fengwei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Manyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Zhengrong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and.
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taya
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China; and qiangweng@bjfu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Weng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D001947:Breeding; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism*; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000378:metabolism*; D012543:Scent Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH
keywords: follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor; muskrat; scented gland; seasonal change