Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “testis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

The rete testis of the goat, a morphological study.

The rete testis of the goat can be divided into three parts, septal, mediastinal and extratesticular. The septal rete is short, relatively straight and connects the terminal part of the seminiferous tubules with the mediastinal rete. The mediastinal rete is a labyrinth of intercommunicating channels that occupies about two-thirds of the central axis of the testis. The extratesticular rete is located outside the testis at its extremitas capitata and forms sac-like dilations up to 2 mm in diameter. The rete testis, regardless of its location, is lined by simple cuboidal to simple squamous epithelium that invariably contains a few intra-epithelial lymphocytes and macrophages. The epithelial cells possess few microvilli and a centrally located flagellum at the luminal border. With the exception of a few small vesicles in the apical cytoplasm, morphological features associated with absorption such as coated vesicles, canaliculi, vacuoles and multivesicular bodies are absent. However, basolateral interdigitations between adjacent cells, another feature of absorptive epithelium, are frequently noticed. Most cytoplasmic organelles except mitochondria and free ribosomes are poorly developed, suggesting that caprine rete epithelial cells are not associated with protein/glycoprotein secretion. There is no evidence of sperm phagocytosis by the rete epithelium, but luminal macrophages containing sperm fragments are occasionally encountered. The structural-functional relationships of the rete epithelial cells are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Benign and malignant epithelial tumors of the rete testis in mice.

Two papillary cystadenomas and one papillary cystadenocarcinoma in the rete testis were found in two of 500 very old male JCL:ICR mice; the hosts had no other tumors. One mouse had bilateral cystic tumors. A 5 x 3 x 3 mm papillary cystadenoma was observed in the rete of the right testis. A 7 x 3 x 3 mm tumor with a mixed pattern of papillary cystadenocarcinoma and papillotubular adenocarcinoma was found in the rete of the left testis; the latter extended from the mediastinum to the ductuli efferents and the caput epididymis. The other mouse had a 9 x 5 x 5 mm papillary cystadenoma of borderline malignancy in the rete of the right testis. The mice had no clinical signs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Immunolocalisation of oestrogen receptor-alpha within the testis and excurrent ducts of the rat and marmoset monkey from perinatal life to adulthood.

The sites of action and the physiological role of oestrogens in the male reproductive tract are poorly understood. We have undertaken a systematic study of the immunoexpression of oestrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha) in the male rat from late fetal life through to adulthood and compared the findings with results obtained in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) from neonatal to adult life. The testes, rete testis, efferent ducts and epididymis were examined from normal male rats (aged 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 38, 48 and 90 days) and from male rat fetuses on days 17.5 and 18.5 of gestation; comparable tissues were examined from neonatal, infantile, peripubertal and adult marmosets aged 8, 18-24, 54-62 and 92-112 weeks respectively. Immunolocalisation of ER alpha used antigen retrieval and a monoclonal antibody directed to the N-terminus, which had proved superior to six other antisera tested. ER alpha was immunoexpressed in interstitial cells, including the fetal/ neonatal generation of Leydig cells, in both the rat and marmoset. In the rat, the adult generation of Leydig cells were also immunopositive for ER alpha whereas the comparable cells in the marmoset were only weakly immunopositive. ER alpha was not expressed in Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, blood vessels or germ cells at any time in either species. In late fetal life in the rat, ER alpha was immunoexpressed in cells surrounding the mesonephric tubules, whereas postnatally it was expressed in the epithelium of the rete testis and efferent ducts at all ages from 4 to 90 days; this immunoexpression was most pronounced in the efferent ducts. In the marmoset, the efferent ducts, but not the rete testis, also showed intense immunoexpression of ER alpha. Apart from sporadic immunostaining for ER alpha in the epididymal duct of the rat in the neonatal period, the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis were negative for immunoexpression of ER alpha at all ages in both species. These findings suggest that the main actions of oestrogens in the male reproductive tract, mediated by ER alpha, are related to the development and function of the efferent ducts and the Leydig cells. In consideration of data from this and previous studies of oestrogen binding, we predict possible sites of expression of other oestrogen receptors (e.g. ER beta) in Sertoli cells and the epididymis. Interactive effects, related to the relative levels of androgens and oestrogens, could be physiologically important in the excurrent ducts of the adult testis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Ultrastructure of metastatic rete testis adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare tumor. We describe the ultrastructural appearance of a retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma metastatic from the rete testis, and compare this appearance with that of normal human rete testis. Both normal rete epithelium and the tumor showed deep, narrow nuclear invaginations with apparent nuclear lobulation; small, pleomorphic, electron-dense, membrane-bound granules in the basal cytoplasm; lipid droplets in the apical cytoplasm; and distinctive bulbous cytoplasmic projections along the apical surfaces of the cells. In addition, more general features of glandular tissue were seen. Features notable for their absence were mucin granules, microvilli containing filamentous cores, glycocalyx, and glycocalyceal bodies. The ultrastructural appearance was sufficiently distinctive to suggest that, in the proper clinical context, electron microscopy may serve to support a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Papillary adenocarcinoma of rete testis. Autopsy findings, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure, and clinical correlations.

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare neoplasm that usually occurs in men after the age of 60 and carries a variable prognosis. We report an occurrence of this tumor in a 91-year-old man who had been treated for 2 years for an hydrocele. At the time of diagnosis, metastases were not evident; and the patient was treated with local radiotherapy. The diagnosis of papillary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis was made on the basis of: (a) a transition from normal rete testis to atypical and neoplastic rete epithelium; (b) exclusion of primary germinal and nongerminal testicular tumors and spread from distant sources; and (c) electron-microscopic findings, histochemical and immunological studies, and autopsy findings supporting the diagnosis. This is the first reported case of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis that includes documentation of the tumor's metastatic pattern.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Development of the rete testis in the prenatal ontogeny of rodents and effect of prolactin and thyrotropin on its cellular differentiation].

The development of rete testis in the rat, rabbit and guinea pig foetuses has been studied, as well as the influence of prolactin and thyrotropin on differentiation of its cells. It was shown that the rete testis tubules, as well as the seminiferous tubules develop from sex cords, which were derived from coelomic epithelium cells and gonocytes. The development of seminiferous tubules and rete testis was described at various stages of prenatal ontogenesis. Thyrotropin and prolactin exert different effects on differentiation of the rete testis cells: the former increases the mitotic activity of gonocytes and the latter increases that of epithelial cells and enhances degenerative processes in primary germ cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Light microscopic and ultrastructural evidence of epithelial phagocytosis of sperm in the rete testis and ductuli efferentes in the bull.

Light microscopic and ultrastructural observations were made in the bull rete testis and the ductuli efferentes with emphasis on the presence of sperm in the epithelium. Phagocytosed sperm in various stages of degeneration were found in the epithelial cells lining the rete testis and in the nonciliated cells of the ductuli efferentes. Phagocytosis was more prevalent in the rete testis than in the ductuli efferentes. Besides the epithelial cells, degenerating sperm components and residual bodies were in the luminal macrophages of the rete testis. The degeneration of sperm heads presumably progressed in the following order: (i) disruption of the cell membrane, (ii) aggregation of small vesicles, probably of Golgi origin, between the disrupted cell membrane and an outer acrosomal membrane, (iii) loss of the acrosomal matrix, and finally (iv) disintegration of the nuclear chromatin. These degenerative changes probably resulted from increased lysosomal activity of phagocytosing cells. The possible importance and causes of spermiophagy are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and the blood testis barrier.

The blood testis barrier has been implicated in the pathogenesis of testicular relapse of childhood acute leukemia by forming a "sanctuary site" for leukemic cells. Experiments were conducted to test the transport of carbon 14 cyclophosphamide and tritiated vincristine across the blood testis barrier. Both cyclophosphamide and vincristine crossed the blood testis barrier. However, other factors such as the transport of immunoglobins and leukocytes across the blood testis barrier may interact in the pathogenesis of leukemic testicular relapse.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: review of the literature and assessment of prognostic parameters.

BACKGROUND: Only 73 cases of malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis have been reported in the last 30 years. Although these tumors were most often seen in patients between ages 55 and 75 years, 10% of the patients were younger than 25 years. Because prognostic parameters have not yet been reported, the authors present another case of a male age 14 years and a review of the available literature, which they conducted to determine prognostic parameters. METHODS: The medical literature about malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis was reviewed. For the determination of prognostic parameters, a univariate and multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the relevance of the patient's age, history of asbestos exposure, tumor histology, primary therapeutic approach, and presence of metastatic disease to survival. RESULTS: Previous exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing materials must be considered a risk factor for the development of malignant mesothelioma. The major difficulty in managing patients with malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis was determining an accurate preoperative diagnosis, which was reported in only two cases. Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms, 97.3% of the cases were diagnosed intraoperatively. Of patients who underwent local resection of the hydrocele wall, 35.7% experienced local tumor recurrence, as compared with 10.5% after scrotal orchiectomy and 11.5% after inguinal orchiectomy. Therefore, radical orchiectomy should be the first-line therapy. The median survival of the patients was 23 months, which decreased to 14 months in cases of recurrence. The overall recurrence rate (local and disseminated) was 52.5%. More than 60% of recurrences developed within the first 2 years of the follow-up. In some cases of disseminated mesothelioma, adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was given. Although reports on adjuvant treatments were limited, radiotherapy appeared to be more effective than chemotherapy. However, 37.9% died of disease progression. Assessment of prognostic parameters revealed a significant correlation of patient's age with survival (P < 0.01), with a better outcome for younger patients and a worse disease course for patients with primary disseminated disease (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis. A multivariate Cox regression model of prognostic parameters concerning survival did not yield statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis testis rarely occur, but the possibility should be considered for all age groups. Univariate analysis determined that a patient's age and the presence of primary disseminated disease were prognostic parameters related to survival. Due to the invasive potential of this disease and the risk of tumor recurrence, radical orchiectomy and close follow-up are strongly recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Binding of nuclear proteins to an upstream element involved in transcriptional regulation of the testis-specific histone H1t gene.

The testis-specific histone H1t is synthesized during spermatogenesis exclusively in late pachytene primary spermatocytes. Transcription of the H1t gene is repressed in every tissue except testis. Within the testis, transcription is repressed during development before the spermatocyte stage and in later stages of germinal cell maturation. Mechanisms involved in transcriptional repression of the H1t gene are unknown. To assess the contribution of upstream H1t promoter sequence to transcriptional silencing in nonexpressing cells, H1t-promoted reporter vectors were constructed using pGL3 Basic. Transient expression assays with these reporter vectors driven by H1t promoter deletions allowed us to identify a region from 948 to 780 bp upstream from the H1t transcriptional initiation site that functions as a silencer. Examination of nuclear protein binding to this DNA regulatory region by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using extracts from C127I cells, rat testis, and pachytene spermatocytes revealed a low mobility band produced only by nuclear proteins derived from nonexpressing cells that may contain proteins that repress H1t gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Calmodulin content, Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding proteins, and testis growth: identification of Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding proteins in primary spermatocytes.

In contrast with the transient pre-replicative increase in calmodulin (CaM) level observed in proliferative activated cells, postnatal development of rat testis was paralleled by 3 specific rises in CaM. The first one occurred between 5 and 10 days, coincident with the appearance and proliferation start of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. Meiosis accomplishment and spermatid differentiation were paralleled by 2 additional rises, at 24 and 32 days, respectively. The plateau phase of testis growth was coincident with the appearance of maturating spermatids and spermatozoa in the germinal epithelium, and with a decrease in CaM content. Testicular DNA:g wet tissue ratio reached the highest level in 15-day-old rats and gradually decreased up to 35 days, when a constant level was reached. A similar level of Ca2+-CaMBPs was observed in 5- and 20-day-old rat testis. Although all subcellular fractions showed the ability to bind CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner, CaM was mainly recovered in the nuclear and soluble fractions of adult and immature rat testis. Several Ca2+-CaMBPs with an apparent M(r) of 82, 75, 64, 19, and 14 kD were purified by affinity chromatography from pachytene primary spermatocyte nuclear matrix. Ca2+-CaMBPs showing an M(r) of 120, 78, 72, and 66 kD were also purified from the supernatant obtained after DNA and RNA hydrolysis of meiotic nuclei. Major cytosolic Ca2+-CaMBPs of primary spermatocytes showed an M(r) of 120, 84, 44, and 39 kD. The functions that these Ca2+-CaMBPs might have during the first meiotic prophase is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of mixed lineage kinase 2 in germ cells of the testis.

Mixed Lineage Kinase 2 is a mammalian protein kinase that activates stress-activated protein kinases/c-jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNKs) through direct phosphorylation of their upstream activator, SEK1/JNKK. We have examined expression of both MLK2 and SEK1/JNKK RNAs in the rat testis at various times during postnatal development and in isolated testicular cell populations. We also have used immunohistochemistry to examine MLK2 protein expression and localization in adult rat and mouse testis. In these analyses, we found rat MLK2 mRNA expression was first evident at a very low level on day 25 after birth and present from day 35 at much higher levels that continue into adulthood. In RNA from isolated cell types, a MLK2 transcript was detected in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, but not in Leydig or Sertoli cells. MLK2 RNA was also absent from the testis of rats after induced cryptorchidism. SEK1/JNKK transcripts, on the other hand, were present at all stages of testicular development and in all cell types tested. In tissue sections from both adult rat and mouse testis, MLK2 immunoreactivity was present in the nucleus of primary and secondary spermatocytes and round spermatids within seminiferous tubules, but was absent from spermatogonia. These findings indicate the JNK pathway is most likely ubiquitous in rodent testicular cells, while the cell-specific pattern of MLK2 expression suggests that it may be involved in the regulation of processes specific to post-mitotic germ cells. Furthermore, the finding of MLK2 protein in the nucleus of spermatocytes and round spermatids indicates a role for MLK2 in regulation of nuclear events specific to germ cell development.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Tlk, a novel evolutionarily conserved murine serine threonine kinase, encodes multiple testis transcripts.

Hypothesizing that genes important in meiotic processes in mammals might have evolutionarily conserved counterparts in lower organisms, we used the yeast IME2 meiotic gene (serine threonine kinase) as a probe for screening a mouse testis cDNA library. This screening resulted in identification of a novel putative serine threonine kinase. Although it did not exhibit significant homology to IME2, it did show significant sequence homology to the Tousled kinase in Arabidopsis. Tousled is associated with various differentiative processes including differentiation of the reproductive organs. The new murine gene was designated accordingly Tlk (Tousled like kinase). Tousled like kinase sequences have been reported to occur in C. elegans and in the human. Positive hybridization signals obtained in zooblot analysis suggest evolutionary conservation of Tlk throughout the phylogenetic ladder. Four distinct Tlk transcripts were detected in mouse testis, at least one of which is testis-specific. Northern and in situ hybridization analyses revealed that in normal testis, Tlk is expressed predominantly in pachytene spermatocytes and in round spermatids. Transcripts differ from one another in their 3' untranslated region, resulting from use of different polyadenylation sites, and in the length of their 5' region. Within the coding region, three of the putative peptides share the kinase and C-terminal domains but differ in their N-terminal domain, suggesting that the latter may be involved in the regulation of Tlk's function. We conclude that although Tlk might have an essential role in all tissues, these kinases are likely to take part in the complex array of phosphorylations involved in regulating spermatogenesis.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Rat testicular myotubularin, a protein tyrosine phosphatase expressed by Sertoli and germ cells, is a potential marker for studying cell-cell interactions in the rat testis.

The full-length cDNA encoding the entire open reading frame (ORF) of rat myotubularin (rMTM) was isolated from a rat testis expression library by PCR. Among the three approximately 2.9-kb cDNAs that were sequenced, one clone was different from the other two clones. It contained seven extra amino acids of FVVLNLQ; this short stretch of extra sequence was found between Gln(421) and Phe(422) within the SET (Suvar3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax) interacting domain (SID) of rMTM. The rMTM ORF had 1,713 bp encoding for a 571 amino acid polypeptide and a calculated molecular weight of 65.8 kDa. A comparison between its deduced amino acid sequence and the GenBank database using BLAST revealed a 53.1% identity with human myotubularin protein (hMTM1), which is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family associated with X-linked myotubular myopathy. A 22 amino acid peptide NH(2)-TKVNERYELCDTYPALLAVPAN was synthesized based on the deduced amino acid sequence of rMTM and used for antibody production. By using immunoblot analysis, a 66-kDa protein was indeed detected in both Sertoli and germ-cell cytosols. rMTM mRNA was found in various tissues but was predominantly expressed in the testis, ovary, and skeletal muscle. Sertoli cell rMTM expression was stimulated by germ cells and enhanced when inter-Sertoli junctions were being assembled in vitro. A drastic reduction in testicular rMTM steady-state mRNA level correlated with the depletion of germ cells from the testis in vivo following either glycerol or lonidamine treatment. These results indicate that rMTM is a rat homologue of hMTM1 that may be a useful marker in monitoring the events of cell-cell interactions in the testis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Structural features of the 26S proteasome complex isolated from rat testis and sperm tail.

We have previously cloned a cDNA encoding TBP-1, a protein present in the rat spermatid manchette and outer dense fibers of the developing sperm. TBP-1 contains a heptad repeat of six-leucine zipper fingers at the amino terminus and highly conserved ATPase and DNA/RNA helicase motifs toward the carboxyl terminus. TBP-1 is one of the 20 subunits forming the 19S regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome, an ATP-dependent multisubunit protease found in most eukaryotic cells. We now report the isolation of the 26S proteasome from rat testis and sperm tail and its visualization by whole-mount electron microscopy using negative staining. The 26S proteasome from rat testis was fractionated by Sephacryl S-400/Mono-Q chromatography using homogenates suspended in a 10% glycerol-supplemented buffer. Chromatographic fractions were analyzed by immunoblotting using a specific anti-TBP-1 serum. During the purification of Sak57, a keratin filament present in outer dense fibers from epididymal sperm, we detected a substantial amount of 26S proteasomes. Intact 26S proteasomes from rat testis display a rod-shaped particles about 45 nm in length and 11-17 nm in diameter. Each particle consists of a 20S barrel-shaped component formed by four rings (alphabetabetaalpha), capped by two polar 19S regulatory complexes, each identified by an element known as the "Chinese dragon head motif". TBP-1 is an ATPase-containing subunit of the 19S regulatory cap. Rat sperm preparations displayed both dissociated 26S proteasomes and Sak57 filaments. We hypothesize that 26S proteasomes in the perinuclear-arranged manchette are in a suitable location for recognition, sequestration, and degradation of accumulating ubiquitin-conjugated somatic and transient testis-specific histones during spermiogenesis. In the sperm tail, the 26S proteasome may have a role in the remodeling of the outer dense fibers and other tail components during epididymal transit.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Development of Sertoli cell junctional specializations and the distribution of the tight-junction-associated protein ZO-1 in the mouse testis.

Basally located tight junctions between Sertoli cells in the postpubertal testis are the largest and most complex junctional complexes known. They form at puberty and are thought to be the major structural component of the "blood-testis" barrier. We have now examined the development of these structures in the immature mouse testis in conjunction with immunolocalization of the tight-junction-associated protein ZO-1 (zonula occludens 1). In testes from 5-day-old mice, tight junctional complexes are absent and ZO-1 is distributed generally over the apicolateral, but not basal, Sertoli cell membrane. As cytoskeletal and reticular elements characteristic of the mature junction are recruited to the developing junctions, between 7 and 14 days, ZO-1 becomes progressively restricted to tight junctional regions. Immunogold labeling of ZO-1 on Sertoli cell plasma membrane preparations revealed specific localization to the cytoplasmic surface of tight junctional regions. In the mature animal, ZO-1 is similarly associated with tight junctional complexes in the basal aspects of the epithelium. In addition, it is also localized to Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to early elongating, but not late, spermatids just prior to sperm release. Although these structures are not tight junctions, they do have a similar cytoskeletal arrangement, suggesting that ZO-1 interacts with the submembrane cytoskeleton. These results show that, in the immature mouse testis, ZO-1 is present on the Sertoli cell plasma membrane in the absence of recognizable tight junctions. In the presence of tight junctions, however, ZO-1 is found only at the sites of junctional specializations associated with tight junctions and with elongating spermatids.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Expression of testis-specific histone genes during the development of rat spermatogenic cells in vitro.

We have used two radiolabeled oligonucleotide probes (TH2B and H1t), Northern blotting, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and autoradiography to study the temporal expression of TH2B and H1t testis-specific histone genes during the development of rat spermatogenic cells in vitro. These studies were carried out to determine whether meiotic prophase spermatocytes, known to synthesize in vivo TH2B and H1t histones among other histones, are capable of expressing these testis-specific genes in vitro during an extended period of time. We have found abundant TH2B and H1t mRNA steady state levels as well as newly-synthesized TH2B and H1t histones after 5 days of coculture. Northern blots reprobed with H1t-specific oligonucleotide showed that H1t mRNA remained prominent when TH2B mRNA started to decline after 8-12 days of coculture. Phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy studies carried out throughout the course of the experiments demonstrated that the number of viable spermatogonia and meiotic prophase spermatocytes was relatively constant during 12 days of coculture. Spermatocytes, in a clone-like arrangement, remained attached to Sertoli cell surfaces and displayed subcellular features consistent with those observed in the intact seminiferous epithelium. Spermatogonia formed long, branching chains of interconnected cells. Results of this study indicate that spermatogenic cells in coculture with Sertoli cells express testis-specific histone genes for an extended period of time. Testis-specific histone gene expression in vitro should facilitate further studies for understanding the role of these histones in chromatin structure, transcription, and genetic recombination during male meiotic prophase.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of a testis specific protein localized to endoplasmic reticulum of spermatogenic cells.

BACKGROUND: In order to understand the mechanism of spermiogenesis, it is important to characterize germ cell specific genes and proteins expressed during spermatogenesis. We previously reported that a mouse monoclonal antibody, 1C9, raised against golden hamster testis homogenate, recognized a 103 kDa protein in hamster spermatogenic cells (Ohsako et al.; J. Vet. Med. Sci., 53:969-974, 1991). In the present study, we have determined the precise stage and intracellular localization of this protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hamster, mouse, and rat tissues were used for immunocytochemistry, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting. Immunoelectron microscopy was performed using Lowicryl K4M embedded hamster testis and colloidal gold conjugated second antibody. Furthermore, immuno-affinity purification was carried out using a 1C9-Sepharose column. RESULTS: In immunoblot analysis, 1C9 also recognized a 103 kDa protein and a 101 kDa protein in the rat and the mouse testes, respectively. Ten different hamster tissues other than testis did not show reactivity against 1C9. In immunostained paraffin sections of hamster testis, the initial staining appeared in middle pachytene spermatocytes and persisted until maturation phase spermatids (step 15). However, it was no longer detectable in the subsequent steps of spermatids. In addition, strong staining was observed in the post-nuclear region of elongated spermatids. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis showed that the protein was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope of spermatogenic cells, but not in the other organelles, such as Golgi apparatus and acrosome of the spermatids. This protein appears to be associated with ER membrane. Furthermore, this protein is found exclusively in the testicular microsomal fraction, not in the cytosol. By affinity purification, approximately 320 micrograms of the 103 kDa protein was obtained from 10 hamster testes. The purified 103 kDa protein was unaffected by N-glycanase, indicating it does not have asparagine-linked glycoconjugates. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the protein recognized by 1C9 appears to be a unique protein that is localized in the ER and nuclear envelope of spermatogenic cells.

Animals↗