Expression of telomerase gene mTR in the testis of SD rats and its significance / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

ABSTRACT

To study the expression of mTR gene in the testis of SD rats with varied ages and its significance, in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques were applied to detect the expression of telomerase gene mTR mRNA in the testis of SD rats. The expression of mTR was found in testes of different-age male SD rats. There was a positive correlation between the expression of mTR and the location of germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid). In Setoli cells, leydig cell and spermatozoa, no telomerase mTR was detectable. Type A spermatogonia expressed the highest level of telomerase mTR mRNA. It was suggested that the expression of mTR gene in the testis of SD rats is of lifetime and coincides with the telomerase activity.