Changes in aquaporin 5 in the non-ciliated cells of mouse oviduct according to sexual maturation and oestrous cycle.

Aquaporin (AQP) water channels play an important role in fluid homeostasis and the control of epithelial cell volume. To understand the oviductal fluid homeostasis, the expression of aqp5 was examined in mouse oviduct. In the oviduct of cycling females, aqp1, aqp3, aqp4, aqp5, aqp6, aqp7, aqp8, and aqp11 mRNA were detected. Of these, expression of aqp5 mRNA increased significantly from the early prepubertal period to puberty. Epithelial AQP5 immunoreactivity was markedly increased during the same period and was most notable in the infundibulum. In immature female mice (3 weeks old), gonadotropin (pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (5IU/head) and human chorionic gonadotropin (5IU/head), single intraperitoneal injection) significantly increased oviductal aqp5 mRNA and AQP5 immunoreactivity in oviduct epithelia. In adult mouse oviduct epithelia, AQP5 was primarily found in the apical membrane, subapical cytoplasm and basolateral membrane of secretory non-ciliated cells, whereas weak to negligible immunoreactivity was found in ß-tubulin-positive ciliated cells. Taking into account the fact that non-ciliated cells are well developed with subapical secretory vesicles as well as endosomes, AQP5 may also participate in the secretion and endocytosis in addition to water movement through non-ciliated secretory cells. AQP5 immunoreactivity was also found in the isthmic muscle and lamina propria beneath the epithelia. In cycling females, oviductal aqp5 mRNA levels were the highest at oestrus and the lowest at di-oestrus. AQP5 immunoreactivity in non-ciliated cells was notable in the infundibulum, where AQP5 immunoreactivity was relatively high at oestrus but low at dioestrus and pro-oestrus, indicating synchrony between aqp5 gene activation and the ovarian cycle. Together, the findings of the present study indicate that aqp5 specific to non-ciliated cells is activated during sexual maturation, supporting fluid homeostasis in mouse oviduct.

Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor, a Tight Junction Protein, in Peri-Implantation Mouse Embryos.

To understand the role of Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), a tight junction (TJ) protein, in peri-implantation embryos, developmental expression of CAR and its role in paracellular permeability were examined in mouse embryos. Splice variants for transmembrane CAR, Car1, Car2, and Car3 mRNA, were expressed from 2-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages onward, respectively, whereas mRNA for soluble CAR was expressed in MII oocytes and 4-cell stage onward. On Western blot, ∼46 kDa CAR proteins were detected in blastocysts. During the 4-cell embryos to morula stage, CAR was gradually concentrated at the contacts between blastomeres. In blastocysts, CAR was expressed at the cell contacts within the inner cell mass as well as in the trophectoderm (TE) where CAR was found together with ZO1 at the apical contacts, suggesting that CAR builds up apical TJs in TE and mediates cell adhesion in TE and inner cell mass. In blastocysts, CAR-blocking antibodies under Ca(2+) switching increased the dextran permeability and decreased the volume of blastocoel and H19 and Cdx2 mRNA, suggesting the pivotal role of CAR in the blastocyst development and paracellular permeability barrier in TE. CAR was expressed in TE of implanting embryos as well as endometrial epithelium, suggesting the involvement of CAR in the interaction between implanting embryos and endometrium. At 5-6 days postcoitum, CAR was expressed together with ZO1 in the primitive endoderm, visceral endoderm, and epiblasts facing the pro-amniotic cavity, suggesting that CAR TJs contribute to the separation of epiblast from the blastocoel and development of the pro-amniotic cavity within epiblasts.

Expression of activated HER2 in human testes.

The HER2 messenger RNA (mRNA) was the most abundant among the erb type-1 tyrosine kinase receptors mRNA in human testis and was statistically significantly decreased in impaired spermatogenesis. Testicular HER2 was tyrosine phosphorylated and strongly expressed in spermatogonia, early spermatocytes, elongating/elongated spermatids, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and peritubular cells, suggesting that activated HER2 participates in mitosis and meiotic entry of germ cells, spermiogenesis, and steroidogenesis via mediating the epidermal growth factor-growth factor signaling.

Claudin-11 expression increased in spermatogenic defect in human testes.

Expression of claudin-11, which builds up blood-testis barrier (BTB), was increased in decreased spermatogenesis, including in hypospermatogenesis, spermatocytic and maturation arrest, and Sertoli cell only (SCO) testes. Increased claudin-11 immunoreactivity was observed at the inter-Sertoli tight junctions in maturation arrest and in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells in SCO. The late spermatogenic wave may negatively regulate claudin-11 gene activation and the subcellular localization of claudin-11 in Sertoli cells, thus altering the BTB in the human testis.

Effects of early prepubertal exposure to bisphenol A on the onset of puberty, ovarian weights, and estrous cycle in female mice.

OBJECTIVE: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used extensively to manufacture plastics and epoxy resin liners for food and beverage cans. BPA, with properties similar to estrogen, has endocrine-disrupting effects. In the present study, we examined the effects of early prepubertal BPA exposure on the onset of puberty and reproductive parameters such as estrous cycle and reproductive organ weights in female mice. METHODS: Female mice were injected subcutaneously at postnatal day (PND) 8 with BPA (0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg) in sesame oil or with sesame oil alone. Body weight was measured from PND 10 to 70. Vaginal opening and estrous cycle were monitored from PND 20 to 29. Animals were sacrificed at PND 25, 30, and 70, and the ovary and uterus weights were measured. RESULTS: Early prepubertal exposure to BPA (10 and 100 mg/kg) significantly decreased body weight from PND 18 to 30. BPA treated mice at testing dose levels showed early opening of the vagina compared to the control group. The number of estrous cycle and days of estrus were significantly decreased in high dose (100 mg/kg) BPA treated mice. The ovary weight at PND 25 and 30 was significantly decreased in all BPA treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Early prepubertal exposure to BPA accelerated the onset of puberty but decreased reproductive parameters in female mice.