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Immunohistochemical Localization of Inhibin Subunits in the Testis of the Bull
Author(s) -
Matsuzaki S.,
Cruzana M. B. C.,
Budipitojo T.,
Hondo E.,
Watanabe G.,
Taya K.,
Sasaki M.,
Kitamura N.,
Yamada J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0264.2001.00350.x
Subject(s) - sertoli cell , polyclonal antibodies , paracrine signalling , autocrine signalling , protein subunit , cytoplasm , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biology , spermatogenesis , nucleus , immunohistochemistry , antibody , receptor , gene , genetics
The differential localization of the inhibin β subunits βA and βB in the testis of adult bull was studied using specific monoclonal and polyclonal primary antibodies. Inhibin βA‐ and βB‐subunits were localized only in the Sertoli cells. The inhibin βA‐subunit was observed in the cytoplasm while the βB‐subunit was localized in the nucleus. No specific findings depending on spermatogenic stages were observed among the seminiferous tubules. Moreover, the inhibin α‐subunit was not detected in the testis of the bulls. In addition, no inhibin subunits were detected in the Leydig cells and spermatogenic cells. These findings indicate the presence of βA‐ and βB‐subunits in the bull, which may suggest a possibility that activin is produced and/or stored in the Sertoli cells and regulates spermatogenesis in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Moreover, the inhibin βB‐subunit may be produced in the nucleus but the functional meaning of this is not yet clear.