1.Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the porcine ovary during follicular development.
Heechul KIM ; Changjong MOON ; Meejung AHN ; Yongduk LEE ; Hwanglyong KIM ; Seungjoon KIM ; Taeyoung HA ; Youngheun JEE ; Taekyun SHIN
Journal of Veterinary Science 2005;6(2):97-101
The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the ovaries of pigs was examined to study the involvement of nitric oxide, a product of NOS activity, in the function of the ovary. Western blot analysis detected three types of NOS in the ovary, including constitutive neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS); eNOS immunoreactivity was more intense compared with that of iNOS or nNOS. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of nNOS and eNOS in the surface epithelium, stroma, oocytes, thecal cells, and endothelial cells of blood vessels. Positive immunoreactions for nNOS and iNOS were detected in the granulosa cells from multilaminar and antral follicles, but not in those of unilaminar follicles. iNOS was detected in the surface epithelium, oocytes, and theca of multilaminar and antral follicles. Taking all of the findings into consideration, the observed differential expression of the three NOS isoforms in the ovary suggests a role for nitric oxide in modulating reproduction in pigs.
Animals
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Blotting, Western/veterinary
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Female
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Immunohistochemistry/veterinary
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Nerve Tissue Proteins/*biosynthesis
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Nitric Oxide/metabolism
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Nitric Oxide Synthase/*biosynthesis
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Ovarian Follicle/*enzymology/growth&development
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Swine/*physiology
2.Immunohistochemical study of galectin-3 in mature and immature bull testis and epididymis.
Hwanglyong KIM ; Meejung AHN ; Changjong MOON ; Seungjoon KIM ; Youngheun JEE ; Hong Gu JOO ; Taekyun SHIN
Journal of Veterinary Science 2008;9(4):339-344
Galectin-3, a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family, has been implicated in mammalian sperm maturation. We examined galectin-3 expression in the testis and epididymis of sexually mature and immature bulls. Western blot analysis showed varying levels of galectin-3 in the bull testis and epididymis, and galectin-3 immunoreactivity was higher in the mature testis and epididymis than in immature organs. Galectin-3 was primarily localized in interstitial cells of the immature bull testis and in the peritubular myoid and interstitial cells of the mature testis. In the immature epididymis head, galectin-3 was primarily in the principal and basal cells of the epithelium. In the mature epididymis head, moderate levels of galectin-3 were detected in the sperm, while low levels were found in the stereocilia, epithelium and connective tissue. In the immature epididymis body, moderate protein levels were detected in the principal cells, while lower levels were found in the basal cells. The mature epididymis body showed moderate levels of galectin-3 immunostaining in the stereocilia and epithelium, but low levels in the connective tissue. In the immature epididymis tail, only low levels of galectin-3 staining were found in the epithelium, whereas the mature epididymis tail showed high levels of galectin-3 in the principal cells, moderate levels in the basal cells and low levels in connective tissue. These findings suggest that galectin-3 expression plays a role in the maturation and activation of sperm in bulls.
Aging/physiology
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Animals
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Blotting, Western
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Cattle
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Epididymis/*metabolism
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Galectin 3/*metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation/physiology
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Immunohistochemistry
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Male
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Sexual Maturation/*physiology
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Testis/*metabolism