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Expression of aquaporins in the efferent ductules, sperm counts, and sperm motility in estrogen receptor‐α deficient mice fed lab chow versus casein
Author(s) -
Ruz Ricardo,
Gregory Mary,
Smith Charles E.,
Cyr Daniel G.,
Lubahn Dennis B.,
Hess Rex A.,
Hermo Louis
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.20390
Subject(s) - biology , sperm , sperm motility , motility , andrology , estrogen receptor , efferent , estrogen , endocrinology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , genetics , cancer , breast cancer , afferent
Estrogens play an important role in the male reproductive tract, and this is especially so for the efferent ductules, where α‐estrogen receptors (ERα) have been localized. Mice deficient in ERα (αERKO mice) are infertile, and the effect appears to be due in part to retention of water at the level of the efferent ductules. In the present study, we examined the consequences of ERα deletion on the distribution of certain aquaporins (AQPs), water protein channels, in the efferent ductules and on sperm numbers and motility. In addition, the effects of feeding mice a regular lab chow diet, which contains phytoestrogens, known to affect male reproductive tract functions, and a casein diet, which lacks phytoestrogens, were also assessed. Light microscope immunolocalizations of AQP‐1 and AQP‐9 revealed dramatic reduction and patchier staining in αERKO mice with distal areas of the efferent ductules being more affected than proximal areas. No other changes in immunolocalizations were noted as a consequence of diet. Computer‐assisted sperm analyses demonstrated a 62% reduction in cauda epididymal sperm/ml in αERKO mice fed lab chow, whereas 87% fewer sperm/ml were observed in αERKO mice fed casein, suggesting an enhanced role for sperm production and concentration in a diet containing phytoestrogens. All sperm motility parameters were altered to some degree in αERKO mice fed lab chow. Alterations in sperm motility parameters were also detected, but were less dramatic in αERKO mice fed casein. These data suggest that the decrease in AQP expression in the efferent ductules of αERKO mice contributes in part to water retention in this tissue, eventually leading to backflow of water into the testis, with subsequent decreases in sperm concentration and motility. The data also suggest that phytoestrogens, which are present in regular lab chow, can influence the male reproductive tract with and without the presence of ERα, promoting efferent ductule and epididymal functions when ERα is expressed, but inhibiting these same functions when ERα is missing. Taken together the data underscore the importance of estrogens and ERα in maintaining sperm maturation and preventing male infertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.