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Postnatal testicular development and actin appearance in the seminiferous epithelium of the Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis
Author(s) -
Kurohmaru Masamichi,
Matsui Toshiyasu,
Igarashi Hitomi,
Hattori Shosaku,
Hayashi Yoshihiro
Publication year - 2021
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.12628
Subject(s) - sertoli cell , spermatogenesis , epithelium , biology , andrology , testicle , seminiferous tubule , medicine , endocrinology , genetics
The postnatal testicular development and actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium were examined by light microscopy, using the testes of the Habu ( Trimeresurus flavoviridis ; snake) from 0‐year‐old to 3‐year‐old. At 0‐year‐old (about 1 month after birth), the testis was quite small in size, and the seminiferous epithelium was composed of only Sertoli cells and large spermatogonia. Actin immunoreactivity was observed in the peritubular myoid cells, but could not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 1‐year‐old (about 10 months after birth), the testicular size increased to a great degree. In the seminiferous epithelium, spermatocytes newly appeared. Actin could still not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 2‐year‐old (about 1 year and 10 months after birth), the testes continued to develop in size. In the seminiferous epithelium, elongate spermatids and round spermatids were frequently seen, in addition to Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Thus, active spermatogenesis was clearly recognized at this age. Moreover, the actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium was observed at the site between Sertoli cells and spermatids, as well as that at adult stage. The immunoreactivity of actin in the peritubular myoid cells gradually increased from 0‐year‐old to 2‐year‐old. Conclusively, it seems likely that spermatogenesis in the Habu initiates at 2‐year‐old, accompanying with the appearance of actin in the seminiferous epithelium.