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Expression of FGF2 and TGFα and testis morphology during testicular hypertrophy subsequent to hemicastration in the neonatal boar
Author(s) -
Wells R.,
Scott P.T.,
Harrison D.K.,
Wreford N.G.,
Duckett R.,
Johnston S.D.,
D'Occhio M.J.
Publication year - 2008
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.20743
Subject(s) - biology , medicine , endocrinology , sertoli cell , seminiferous tubule , boar , muscle hypertrophy , transforming growth factor , epidermal growth factor , andrology , orchiectomy , spermatogenesis , anatomy , receptor , semen , biochemistry
The objective was to ascertain fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor‐α (TGFα) mRNA expression and testis morphology during accelerated testicular growth after hemicastration in the neonatal boar. On Day 10 after birth (Day 0), boars were assigned to control (n = 28), no treatment; hemicastrated (n = 28), left testis removed. The right testis in both groups (n = 7) was removed on Days 5, 10, 15, and 20. Expression of mRNA for FGF2, EGF, and TGFα was determined by qRT‐PCR using TaqMan®. Testicular morphology was determined on Day 15. On Day 10, hemicastrated boars had a greater ( P = 0.01) testis weight (6.2 ± 0.8 g; mean ± SEM) than controls (4.3 ± 0.4 g) and on Day 15 testis weight in hemicastrated boars (8.8 ± 0.8 g) was twice ( P < 0.01) that of control boars (4.2 ± 0.3 g). Seminiferous tubule volume was approximately doubled in hemicastrated boars ( P < 0.01) and was associated with an increase ( P < 0.01) in Sertoli cell number. Interstitial compartment volume was greater ( P < 0.01) in hemicastrated boars. Leydig cell numbers were similar ( P = 0.14) but volume was greater ( P < 0.01) for hemicastrates. There were no differences ( P > 0.05) between control and hemicastrated boars in TGFα or FGF2 expression on Day 5 or Day 10, and EGF was not detected. It was concluded that upregulation of TGFα or FGF2 expression is not a pre‐requisite for enhanced testicular growth and increased Sertoli cell proliferation that occurs subsequent to hemicastration in the neonatal boar. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 961–966, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.