Differential localization of inhibin α-, βA- and βB-subunits in the testis of the adult swamp-type water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Inhibin and activin are dimeric proteins and differentiation factors that are mutually antagonistic regulators of reproduction. This study used immunohistochemistry to examine the differential localization of inhibin α-, βA-, and βB-subunits in the adult testis of swamp-type water buffalo. In the Sertoli cell, all the inhibin subunits were localized, however, inhibin βB-subunit was localized only in the nucleus. Leydig cells were observed to have a more intense staining for α- and βA-subunits but a weak immunoreactivity for inhibin βB-subunit, as compared with the Sertoli cells. In addition, in the terminal segment of the convoluted tubule, straight tubule and rete testis, only inhibin βA- and βB-subunits were detected in the epithelium. The result of the present study suggests that inhibin (αβA, αβB) and activin (βAβA, βAβA, βBβB) in the testis of the adult water buffalo play roles in the feedback regulation of FSH and as an autocrine and paracrine regulators of spermatogenesis. In Leydig cells, they are involved in regulators of steroidogenic enzyme activities and cell proliferation in the testis of water buffalo. Furthermore, the presence of βA- and βB-subunits in the epithelium of the terminal segment of the convoluted tubule, straight tubules and rete testis suggests that activin may play a role also in sperm maturation. Moreover, the intranuclear detection of βB-subunit in the testis Sertoli cells may suggest that this protein may have a direct intranuclear function during spermatogenesis.

Source or Periodical Title

Biomedical Research

ISSN

3886107

Page

235-239

Document Type

Article

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