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Tissue kallikrein and bradykinin B 2 receptors in the reproductive tract of the male rat
Author(s) -
Monsees T. K.,
Blöcher S.,
Loddo C.,
Steger K.,
Schill W.B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2003.00534.x
Subject(s) - epididymis , in situ hybridization , biology , bradykinin , seminiferous tubule , spermatogenesis , kinin , bradykinin receptor , endocrinology , medicine , immunostaining , immunohistochemistry , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , messenger rna , sertoli cell , immunology , gene , sperm , biochemistry , botany
Summary. The setting of a local tissue kallikrein kinin system (tKKS) within the reproductive organs of the male rat was investigated by analysing bradykinin subtype 2 receptor (B 2 R) gene expression and cellular distribution of B 2 R protein and the kinin‐liberating protease tissue kallikrein (tK). Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed B 2 R expression in testis, epididymis and prostate from prepubertal and sexually mature rats. In mature testis, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry localized B 2 R mRNA and protein besides endothelial cells of blood vessels exclusively on pachytene spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids. B 2 R expression within the seminiferous tubules was found to be dependent on the stage of the spermatogenic cycle. In pre‐pubertal rat testis, B 2 R mRNA and protein were additionally located in peritubular cells. In the testis, specific staining for tK occurred in addition to endothelial cells of blood vessels on the acrosomal cap of round and elongated spermatids. This immunostaining was also stage‐dependent. In the epididymis, tK was detected on epithelial cells near the apical surface. The stage‐dependent specific expression of tK and bradykinin B 2 Rs in developing germ cells and peritubular cells suggests a potential role of the tKKS in the local regulation of spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubule function.