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Presence and Distribution of Urocortin and its Receptors in the Epididymis of Alpaca ( V icugna pacos)
Author(s) -
Liguori G.,
Squillacioti C.,
De Luca A.,
Ciarcia R.,
Vittoria A.,
Mirabella N.
Publication year - 2015
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 - 10.1111/ahe.12110
Subject(s) - urocortin , epididymis , receptor , immunohistochemistry , western blot , medicine , stromal cell , endocrinology , blot , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene , sperm , botany
Summary Urocortin 1 ( UCN ) is a 40‐amino acid peptide belonging to the corticotrophin‐releasing hormone ( CRH ) family. The biological effects of this peptide are modulated by binding two G‐coupled receptors named CRH receptor 1 ( CRHR 1) and CRH receptor 2 ( CRHR 2). CRHR 2 has high affinity for UCN . The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of UCN , CRHR 1 and CRHR 2 in the epididymis of the South America camelid Alpaca ( Vicugna pacos ) by Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. Tissue extracts of the organ reacted with the anti‐ UCN , anti‐ CRHR 1 and anti‐ CRHR 2 antibodies, recognizing in all the cases a single specific protein band. UCN ‐ and CRHR 2‐immunoreactivities ( IR s) were found in the cytoplasm of the principal cells ( PC s) of the caput epididymis. A prevalent supranuclear localization of granular‐shaped positive material was observed. CRHR 1‐ IR was observed in the fibromuscular stromal cells encircling the tubules and in the smooth musculature of the blood vessels throughout the three epididymal segments. In addition, in the cauda, CRHR 1‐ IR was observed in some apical epithelial cells ( AC s) which were morphologically similar to apical mitochondria‐rich cells ( AMRC s). These results suggest that UCN , CRHR 1 and CRHR 2 are expressed in the alpaca epididymis and that CRH ‐related peptides might play multiple roles in maturation and storage of spermatozoa.