Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and Association with Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase in the Reproductive Tract Tissues of Adult Male Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) During the Reproduction Season

This study aimed to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and SOD-1 in testes and epididymis of adult male roe deer during the periods of reproductive season. The mRNA expression levels of investigated factors were examined using RT-PCR, while protein expression levels were evaluated using Western blot analysis. Differences between tissues within this period and between periods were evaluated. Testicular tissue exhibited lower HIF-1α and SOD-1 mRNA expression levels during all periods as compared to epididymal tissues. Among the epididymal tissues, cauda epididymis showed higher HIF-1α mRNA expression levels in comparison with caput and corpus tissues in the pre-rut period, and not much lower SOD-1 mRNA expression levels in comparison with caput in all periods. Protein expression of HIF-1α was higher in the epididymis than in the testicular tissues in the pre-rut and rut periods. Its expression was the highest in caput epididymal tissue compared with either the testicular, corpus and cauda epididymal tissue during rut and higher than corpus and testis in pre- and post-rut periods. Testicular tissue was characterized by lower SOD-1 protein expression levels than in epididymis in pre-rut and rut periods. This study indicates that the reproductive tract of male roe deer possesses a tissue-specific defense system which protects the tissues from oxygen deficiency damage, which is important during cyclic changes occurring in the reproductive tissues during the reproductive season.