Study on the expression of testin in the testes of dogs
, , , , , , , oraz | 19 gru 2023
Data publikacji: 19 gru 2023
Zakres stron: 627 - 633
Otrzymano: 17 maj 2023
Przyjęty: 03 paź 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2023-0055
Słowa kluczowe
© 2023 Rafał Ciaputa et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Introduction
Testin is a protein involved in cell mobility, adhesion and colony formation. In rats, testin presence has been reported in the testes, and its possible role in spermatogenesis has been suggested. Studies in humans also suggest a possible role of testin as a cancer suppressor protein. In the dog, which represents both an important pet species and a good animal model for studying biological and pathological testicular processes, the presence of testin has never been reported.
Material and Methods
In the present study, the expression of testin in foetal, prepubertal, adult and aged canine testes was investigated. Testes from 5 adult and 3 aged dogs, from 2 one-month-old puppies and from 2 foetuses miscarried at the end of pregnancy were immunohistochemically examined with a commercial antibody against testin.
Results
Testin was intensely expressed in Sertoli cells in every testis examined. Spermatids were also positive for testin in mature dogs and in the testicular areas of the aged ones which were not atrophic. Weak expression of testin was also detected in all testes examined.
Conclusion
The present study, the first demonstrating the presence of testin in canine testes, provides the basis for further dog–human comparative research and for studies on the role of this protein in canine physiology, reproduction and testicular pathologies.