Expression of GDNF and AR in Testicular Peritubular Cells of Surgery-induced Cryptorchidism Mice
10.13471/j.cnki.j.sun.yat-sen.univ(med.sci).20240004.020
- VernacularTitle:神经胶质细胞系衍生神经营养因子和雄激素受体在手术诱导隐睾小鼠睾丸管周细胞中的表达
- Author:
Fei WU
1
;
Min CHAO
1
;
Yin ZHANG
1
;
Ye ZHANG
1
;
Jiabin JIANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230051
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
cryptorchidism;
testicular peritubular cells (TPCs);
glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF);
androgen receptor (AR)
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2024;45(1):85-92
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and androgen receptor (AR) in testicular peritubular cells (TPCs) of cryptorchidism mouse models and explore the theoretical significance of cryptorchidism-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction. MethodsA total of 30 five-week-old male ICR rats were divided randomly by using random number table method into 6 groups. Cryptorchidism was surgically induced in 3 randomly selected groups and the other 3 groups underwent sham surgery as the control groups. On days 4, 7 and 14 after surgery, we harvested the mice testes of the 3 groups and their corresponding control groups, then measured the testicular volumes, analyzed the testicular histopathology and detected the mRNA and protein expression levels of AR and GDNF in TPCs by immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blot. ResultsIn normal control groups, on days 4, 7 and 14 after surgery, the testicular volumes were (125.58±19.22) mm3,(123.45±20.12) mm3, (140.09±13.62) mm3 , respectively. Clear layers of spermatogenic cells were well arranged and abundant sperm cells were found. Peritubular cells were morphologically homogeneous, with slim-spindle appearance and normal cell thickness. The mRNA expression levels of AR were 1.00±0.05, 1.06±0.07 and 1.19±0.13; GDNF mRNA 1.00±0.04, 1.09±0.05, and 1.10±0.07. The protein expression levels of AR were 1.01±0.01, 0.79±0.02 and 1.01±0.04; GDNF protein (18.68±0.43) pg/mL, (14.39±0.36) pg/mL and (16.88±0.37) pg/mL. In cryptorchidism groups, on days 4, 7 and 14 after surgery, the testicular volumes were (115.64±3.91) mm3, (69.51±14.97) mm3 and (44.86±5.56) mm3, respectively. Spermatogenic cells were disorganized, seminiferous tubules were disrupted, peritubular cells shrank, bent and fractured. The mRNA expression levels of AR were 0.76±0.06, 0.53±0.04, and 0.29±0.02; GDNF mRNA 0.72±0.05, 0.42±0.02 and 0.30±0.03. The protein expression levels of AR were 0.54±0.02, 0.98±0.04 and 0.31±0.01; GDNF protein (8.50±0.34) pg/mL, (17.44±0.32) pg/mL and (6.83±0.34) pg/mL. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in 7-day and 14-day testicular volumes between control and cryptorchidism groups but not in the 4-day testicular volume (P > 0.05). Testicular volumes, AR and GDNF mRNA and protein expression in control groups had no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05), while those in cryptorchidism groups showed a trend of gradual decline in the amount and the differences between groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn surgery-induced cryptorchidism mice, after the induction, the expression of AR and GDNF in TPCs showed a gradual decrease over time. AR and GDNF play a major role in mediating the TPCs damage in cryptorchidism. This study provides a theoretical basis for mechanism researches of cryptorchidism-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction.