Expression of ß-NGF and high-affinity NGF receptor (TrKA) in llama (Lama glama) male reproductive tract and spermatozoa.
Mol Reprod Dev
; 85(12): 934-944, 2018 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30328213
ABSTRACT
ß-Nerve growth factor (ß-NGF) is a seminal plasma element, responsible for inducing ovulation in camelids. The main organ of ß-NGF production remains nondescript. The aims of this study were to (a) characterize gene expression and protein localization of ß-NGF and its main receptor tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrKA) in the llama male reproductive tract, and (b) determine whether the seminal ß-NGF interacts with ejaculated sperm by localizing ß-NGF and TrKA in epididymal, ejaculated, and acrosome-reacted (AR) sperms and, additionally, by identifying ß-NGF presence in sperm-adsorbed proteins (SAP). Both ß-NGF and TrkA transcripts are widely expressed along the male reproductive tract, with a higher expression level of ß-NGF at prostate (p < 0.05). ß-NGF immunolabeling was only positive for prostate, whereas TrKA label was present in epithelial and muscular cells of testis, prostate, bulbourethral glands, and epididymis. Using an immunofluorescent technique, ß-NGF was colocalized with TrKA in the middle piece of ejaculated and AR sperm. However, only TrKA was observed in epididymal sperm indicating that ß-NGF could have a seminal origin. This was also confirmed by the identification of four ß-NGF isoforms in SAP. This study extends the knowledge about the participation of ß-NGF/TrkA in llama reproduction, providing evidence that may have roles in the regulation of sperm physiology.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Próstata
/
Espermatozoides
/
Camelídeos Americanos
/
Regulação da Expressão Gênica
/
Receptor trkA
/
Fator de Crescimento Neural
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article