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Distribution of CD 68‐, CD 8‐, MHCI ‐ and MHCII ‐positive cells in the bull and ram testis and epididymis
Author(s) -
Güney Saruhan B.,
Sağsöz H.,
Akbalık E.,
Ketani M. A.,
Erdoğan S.
Publication year - 2018
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.12354
Subject(s) - epididymis , biology , immune system , sertoli cell , innate immune system , staining , immune privilege , epithelium , seminiferous tubule , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , spermatogenesis , endocrinology , sperm , botany , genetics
Summary The mammalian testis possesses a special immunological environment because of its properties of remarkable immune privilege and effective local innate immunity. The testicular immune privilege protects immunogenic germ cells from systemic immune attack, and local innate immunity is important in preventing testicular microbial infections. Thus, this study aimed to immunohistochemically demonstrate the distribution and localization of CD 68‐, CD 8‐, MHCI ‐ and MHCII ‐positive immune cells in the testes and epididymes. Negative immunoreactivity was detected in the seminiferous tubule epithelium and peritubular myoid cells of the testes upon staining in CD 68, CD 8 and MHC Class I. Positive CD 68 immunoreaction was determined in the Sertoli cells and some Leydig cells. The detection of positive cells for CD 8 clearly indicated the presence of lymphocytes. Furthermore, the staining with MHCI intensity was ascertained to vary from weak to moderate in the Sertoli and Leydig cells and connective tissue cells. MHCII ‐positive immunoreactivity was determined in myoid cells and Leydig cells in the interstitial area. The epithelium of the epididymis showed positive staining for CD 68 and CD 8, but the stroma displayed a rather weak staining. In the ram epididymis, neither intraepithelial nor interstitial positive reaction was observed for MHCI . In the epididymis, the basal cells displayed a stronger staining for MHCII . In conclusion, these cells not only contribute to local immunity through their direct effects on the quality of fertility in males, but also contribute either directly or indirectly to immune privilege by minimizing the development of both autoimmune reactions and potentially harmful risks.