Disruption of androgen signaling during puberty affects Notch pathway in rat seminiferous epithelium.
Reprod Biol Endocrinol
; 18(1): 30, 2020 Apr 16.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32299422
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Onset of spermatogenesis at puberty is critically dependent on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and testosterone production by Leydig cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether activation of Notch receptors and expression of Notch ligands and effector genes in rat seminiferous epithelium are controlled by androgen signaling during puberty.METHODS:
Peripubertal (5-week-old) Wistar rats received injections of flutamide (50 mg/kg bw) daily for 7 days to reduce androgen receptor (AR) signaling or a single injection of ethanedimethane sulphonate (EDS; 75 mg/kg bw) to reduce testosterone production. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively, protein distribution by immunohistochemistry, and steroid hormone concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test or by Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test.RESULTS:
In both experimental models changes of a similar nature in the expression of Notch pathway components were found. Androgen deprivation caused the reduction of mRNA and protein expression of DLL4 ligand, activated forms of Notch1 and Notch2 receptors and HES1 and HEY1 effector genes (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). In contrast, DLL1, JAG1 and HES5 expressions increased in seminiferous epithelium of both flutamide and EDS-treated rats (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:
Androgens and androgen receptor signaling may be considered as factors regulating Notch pathway activity and the expression of Hes and Hey genes in rat seminiferous epithelium during pubertal development. Further studies should focus on functional significance of androgen-Notch signaling cross-talk in the initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Epitelio Seminífero
/
Maduración Sexual
/
Transducción de Señal
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Receptores Androgénicos
/
Receptores Notch
/
Flutamida
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Reprod Biol Endocrinol
Asunto de la revista:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Polonia