Increased expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis of varicocele model rats and their implications.
- Author:
Wen-Liang ZHA
1
;
Xiao-Bin ZHANG
;
Yu-Ting BAI
;
Hui GAO
;
Jun LI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Epididymis; metabolism; Leptin; metabolism; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Leptin; metabolism; Varicocele; metabolism
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2013;19(2):116-120
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis of experimental varicocele (EV) rats.
METHODSForty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 4-week EV (n = 12), 8-week EV (n = 12), 4-week control (n = 8), and 8-week control (n = 8). EV models were established by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The expressions of leptin and its receptor in the rat epididymis were measured by immunohistochemistry, and their mRNA expressions determined by real-time quantitative PCR.
RESULTSThe expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis were significantly higher in the 4- and 8-week EV groups than in the 4- and 8-week control groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two EV groups (P > 0.05). So were their mRNA expressions in the former two than in the latter two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the former two (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONThe expressions of leptin and its receptor are markedly increased in the epididymis of varicocele rats. Leptin may be involved in the mechanisms of varicocele inducing male infertility.
