性激素受体在子午岭黑山羊隐睾及正常睾丸中的分布比较

旨在研究性激素受体[雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR）、雌激素受体（estrogen receptor,ER）]在子午岭黑山羊正常睾丸与隐睾组织中的分布与隐睾症的关系,应用免疫组织化学及免疫荧光技术方法结合形态计量学统计软件,比较了正常睾丸与隐睾的组织化学特点。特殊染色结果显示：与正常组相比,隐睾组间质组织疏松,管腔面积明显减小,糖原含量明显减少,胶原纤维及网状纤维含量增多。免疫组化及免疫荧光结果显示：1） AR在正常睾丸组Leydig细胞呈高密度强阳性表达,在各级生精细胞呈中等强度阳性表达,隐睾组中Leydig细胞及各级生精细胞表达明显减弱,且在精原细胞偶见表达;2） ER在正常睾丸Leydig细胞呈高密度强阳性表达,管周肌样细胞呈中等强度阳性表达,Sertoli细胞偶见表达,各级生精细胞无表达;3） ER在隐睾Leydig细胞、初级精母细胞、精原细胞和Sertoli细胞中均呈中等强度阳性表达;4）统计结果显示,隐睾组AR的平均光密度较正常组显著降低（P<0.05）,而ER的平均光密度则显著高于正常组（P<0.01）,且隐睾组AR与ER表达量比值基本接近1：1。子午岭黑山羊隐睾组织胶原纤维和网状纤维分布较正常睾丸多,生精小管基膜主要成分以中性糖蛋白为主,酸性糖蛋白含量明显降低影响精子的正常形成;隐睾组织精原细胞及Sertoli细胞ER与AR表达失常尤为明显,可为哺乳动物隐睾的相关研究提供一定参考。     

犬隐睾及睾丸肿瘤中PGP9.5和NPY的分布比较

试验旨在分析肽能神经递质蛋白基因产物9.5（protein gene product 9.5,PGP9.5）和神经肽Y（neuropeptide Y,NPY）在犬隐睾及睾丸肿瘤中的分布和表达,并与同年龄正常睾丸组织进行比较,为认识犬睾丸肿瘤恶变临床诊断提供参考。应用HE染色、Masson三色染色、Gomori银浸染、甲苯胺蓝染色观察各组织中网状纤维、胶原纤维及肥大细胞等组织特征,采用免疫组织化学SP法及免疫荧光法结合IPP统计分析PGP9.5和NPY在组织中的表达及定位。结果显示,正常犬睾丸生精上皮由4~7层生精细胞及Sertoli细胞构成,间质组织胶原纤维和网状纤维分布稀疏。隐睾生精小管基底膜胶原纤维厚度增加,Sertoli细胞核浓缩位于生精小管基底,间质网状纤维增多。睾丸肿瘤组织结构不清晰,胶原纤维和网状纤维无规则分布,肥大细胞较正常组及隐睾组显著增多。免疫荧光定位表明,PGP9.5在正常睾丸Leydig细胞中呈中等阳性表达,生精细胞中无明显表达;隐睾Leydig细胞及生精细胞中呈强阳性表达;睾丸肿瘤中偶有表达。NPY在正常睾丸Leydig细胞中偶见阳性表达,生精细胞中无表达;隐睾Leydig细胞及生精上皮中无表达,间质小血管管壁呈高密度强阳性表达;睾丸肿瘤组织中无明显表达。免疫组化统计表明,睾丸肿瘤组织中PGP9.5和NPY较正常组极显著降低（P<0.01）,隐睾组PGP9.5和NPY表达显著或极显著增加（P<0.05;P<0.01）。因此,犬隐睾时PGP9.5及NPY的表达增高,提示犬隐睾时已有发展为肿瘤的趋势,且与肿瘤恶变程度相关。     

老龄哈多利系博美犬睾丸组织结构分析

为比较哈多利系博美犬老龄与青年阶段睾丸的组织结构差异及相关蛋白分布特征，探索博美犬不同年龄阶段睾丸组织结构变化及其对生殖功能的影响，本试验应用特殊染色、免疫组织化学法结合免疫荧光观察比较青年与老龄博美犬睾丸组织化学特点，并用IPP图像分析软件进行定量分析。结果显示，与青年博美犬相比，老龄博美犬生精上皮层数与厚度降低，Leydig细胞数及Sertoli细胞数显著增加（P<0.05），生精小管基底膜及血管管壁层胶原纤维与网状纤维含量明显增加。免疫组织化学结果显示，老龄博美犬睾丸细胞外基质（exreacellular matrix，ECM）相关蛋白Ⅳ型胶原（collage，Col Ⅳ）、硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白多糖（heparan sulfate proteoglycan，HSPG）含量极显著低于青年博美犬（P<0.01），层黏连蛋白（laminin，LN）含量显著低于青年博美犬（P<0.05）。免疫荧光结果显示，Col Ⅳ、HSPG和LN主要在Leydig细胞及Sertoli细胞强表达。因此，老龄博美犬胶原纤维与网状纤维含量增加，Leydig细胞数及Sertoli细胞数增多可能与其生精功能的维持相关，其生精功能的下降与Col Ⅳ和HSPG的变化密切相关。     

BMP4调控睾丸支持细胞增殖的初步研究

旨在研究BMP4对睾丸支持细胞增殖的调控。本试验选取0、1、2和3月龄组的健康大足黑山羊公羊各3只,采集睾丸支持细胞,每次试验均设3个生物学重复和3次技术重复,通过体外培养、细胞免疫荧光、基因干扰、过表达、qPCR和Western blotting等技术对BMP4是否通过Id2对山羊睾丸支持细胞进行调控以及它们的调控关系进行验证。结果发现,BMP4在2月龄组大足黑山羊睾丸支持细胞中的表达量极显著高于0、1月龄组（P<0.01）;在一定范围内,随着BMP4浓度的增加睾丸支持细胞的增殖活性有所增强,BMP4浓度为200 ng·mL^-1时其增殖能力最强（P<0.05）;干扰BMP4后,细胞增殖活力显著下降（P<0.05）,但在72 h后回到正常水平（P>0.05）,PCNA的表达极显著降低（P<0.01）,表明干扰BMP4后细胞的增殖能力受到限制,细胞增殖指数测定结果进一步说明,干扰BMP4后细胞的增殖能力受到限制;过表达BMP4后,Id2基因表达水平极显著增加（P<0.01）,表明BMP4对Id2具有正向调控作用;相对过表达BMP4再干扰Id2试验组,干扰Id2试验组的PCNA基因的表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,这进一步证明BMP4可以调控该基因和蛋白表达。综上所述,山羊睾丸支持细胞的增殖活力在一定范围内与BMP4的浓度呈正相关;且BMP4能够正向调控Id2的表达,并通过促进Id2的表达进而促进支持细胞的增殖。本研究为阐明BMP4调控山羊睾丸支持细胞的分子机制和生理功能提供了基础。     

FGFs/FGFRs及其介导信号通路基因的异常表达影响犏牛未分化精原细胞增殖活性

旨在研究FGFs(fibroblast growth factors)/FGFRs(fibroblast growth factor receptors)及其介导的Ras和MAPK信号通路基因在牦牛和犏牛未分化精原细胞的差异表达，以探讨犏牛生精停滞的原因。本研究采集健康的24月龄3头公麦洼牦牛和3头F1代公犏牛的睾丸组织，分为牦牛和犏牛两个样品组，每组3个生物学重复。采用HE染色检测牦牛和犏牛精子发生的差异；采用细胞群体倍增时间、CCK-8和EDU染色检测牦牛和犏牛未分化精原细胞增殖能力的差异；采用荧光定量PCR检测6种FGF家族成员、3种FGFR、FGFs/FGFRs介导的Ras和MAPK信号通路基因在牦牛和犏牛未分化精原细胞中的差异表达。与牦牛相比，犏牛生精小管发育异常，生殖细胞类型单一，未分化精原细胞增殖活性显著低于牦牛(P<0.05)。FGF2、FGF4、FGF5、FGF8、FGF9和FGF21在犏牛睾丸组织及FGFs受体FGFR1、FGFR2和FGFR3在犏牛未分化精原细胞的表达都显著低于牦牛(P<0.01)。FGFs/FGFRs介导Ras信号通路基因中，除HRa...     

性成熟期辽宁绒山羊与子午岭黑山羊睾丸发育比较

本研究旨在探究性成熟期辽宁绒山羊与子午岭黑山羊睾丸发育是否存在差异,并对两品种繁殖性能进行比较。选取性成熟期健康的辽宁绒山羊和子午岭黑山羊各5只,采集睾丸组织,通过大体解剖和苏木精-伊红（HE）染色石蜡切片,比较两品种山羊睾丸组织发育及形态学差异;ELISA检测雄激素浓度;实时荧光定量PCR （real time quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR）、蛋白免疫印迹（Western blot）检测两品种山羊睾丸组织中死盒多肽4（DEAD box polypeptide 4,DDX4）和类无精症缺失基因（deleted in azoospermia-like gene,DAZL）的表达情况。结果显示,辽宁绒山羊睾丸总重和睾丸长周径极显著高于子午岭黑山羊（P<0.01）,而睾丸短周径、睾丸脏体比和睾丸胴体比均差异不显著（P>0.05）;辽宁绒山羊生精上皮厚度显著高于子午岭黑山羊（P<0.05）,而两者精细管面积、直径和单位面积内精细管数量均无显著差异（P>0.05）;两品种山羊睾丸中雄激素分泌无显著差异（P>0.05）;辽宁绒山羊DDX4 mRNA及蛋白表达量均显著高于子午岭黑山羊（P<0.01或P<0.05）,DAZL mRNA表达量极显著高于子午岭黑山羊（P<0.01）,而蛋白表达量差异不显著（P>0.05）。以上结果表明,性成熟期辽宁绒山羊性腺发育程度与子午岭黑山羊一致,但生精上皮较子午岭黑山羊厚,生殖标记基因表达量存在差异,推测可能会影响两品种的生精能力。     

高原牦牛隐睾组织结构特征

观察成年牦牛隐睾的组织结构特点,分析高原环境对其生殖微环境的影响。应用HE、Masson’s、Gomori’s特殊染色以及免疫组织化学方法和透射电镜观察比较成年牦牛隐睾与单侧正常睾丸、正常睾丸组织结构特点,进而用IPP图像分析软件进行定量统计。与正常组睾丸相比,隐睾生精小管管径极显著减小(P0.01),基膜增厚,腔内生殖细胞丢失,散在少数幼稚型Sertoli细胞,胞内线粒体变性且含有大小不等的脂褐素颗粒;间质内胶原纤维增生,间质/管腔面积比极显著增大(P0.01),Leydig细胞数量减少,胞内线粒体肿胀,间质血管数量减少,管壁增厚皱缩,血管内皮细胞内含大量脂褐素颗粒;睾丸实质部分钙化。单侧正常组睾丸生精上皮细胞为3~4层,Sertoli细胞发育成熟,少见初级精母细胞及精子;间质/管腔面积比与正常睾丸无明显差异(P0.05),Leydig细胞数量较多,内质网丰富呈一定扩张状态,线粒体减少。免疫组织化学显示,VEGF及VEGFR2在隐睾组与单侧正常组、正常组睾丸均表达于Sertoli细胞、Leydig细胞及各级生精细胞,血管内皮细胞偶见表达;隐睾组VEGF表达量较正常组、单侧正常组睾丸明显下降(P0.05),VEGFR2表达量明显高于正常组与单侧正常组(P0.05);单侧正常组VEGF及VEGFR2表达量较正常组均无明显差异(P0.05)。高原低氧环境,牦牛隐睾血管发育受阻,组织出现不同程度的纤维化和局部钙化,Sertoli细胞发育异常严重影响生精功能;单侧正常睾丸Leydig细胞数量增加,而其中线粒体数量减少,发育程度较正常组织有所降低,隐睾组织中VEGF与VEGFR2可能参与调节双侧睾丸生精抑制作用。     

双峰驼隐睾组织结构分析

比较观察同年龄(2岁)双峰驼(Camelus bactrianous)正常睾丸与隐睾的显微及超微结构特点。采用光镜和电镜制片及组织化学染色技术,比较双峰驼隐睾与正常睾丸的组织结构特点,进而用IPP图像分析软件进行定量分析。结果:光镜下双峰驼隐睾生精上皮由1~3层细胞组成,生精小管平均直径显著减小(P0.05),间质组织面积极显著增加(P0.01),间质/管腔面积比较正常组极显著增大(P0.01)。电镜观察,双峰驼正常睾丸生精小管固有膜层发育良好,相邻Sertoli细胞之间形成典型连接复合体;生精细胞之间多处形成细胞间小管和桥粒结构。隐睾生精上皮基膜增生明显,其上半桥粒结构不清晰,发育不成熟的Sertoli细胞相邻细胞膜间存在不完全的桥粒结构,可见相邻精母细胞间的胞质桥及Sertoli细胞与初级精母细胞之间桥粒连接;双峰驼正常睾丸Leydig细胞内滑面型内质网和粗面型内质网相延续;隐睾Leydig细胞形态不规则,胞内肿胀线粒体数量较多,内质网不发达;隐睾间质毛细血管基膜不清晰;血管内皮细胞之间可见缝隙连接。双峰驼隐睾生精小管组织结构主要变化为Sertoli细胞异常分化及精子发育阻滞;隐睾Sertoli细胞多为幼稚型,其与基膜连接的改变以及Sertoli细胞外质特化区形态结构及桥粒结构不完整影响了血-睾屏障构成;Leydig细胞内质网发育不均衡为其分泌功能与机体发育阶段关系研究提供思路。     

老龄牦牛睾丸细胞外基质相关蛋白的分布特征

探索细胞外基质相关蛋白在老龄牦牛睾丸的分布特征。应用组织化学方法比较、观察9头健康老龄牦牛和10头青年牦牛睾丸组织结构特点及层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(ColⅣ)和硫酸乙酰肝素糖蛋白(HSPG)的分布特征。结果显示:光镜下,老龄牦牛生精上皮部分或完全退化,生精小管固有膜及间质胶原纤维及网状纤维较青年牦牛丰富;老龄睾丸间质血管及生精小管固有膜中AB-PAS阳性反应较青年牦牛增强。数据统计表明,老龄牦牛Sertoli细胞及Leydig细胞数均明显减少,生精小管横截面积以及平均间质组织面积极显著大于青年牦牛(P0.01)。免疫组织化学显示,LN在老龄牦牛睾丸Sertoli细胞和肌样细胞表达与青年牦牛相近,LN在生精细胞表达降低,而在Leydig细胞几乎无表达;ColⅣ在不同年龄牦牛睾丸组织表达位置及强弱相似,但其平均吸光度检测结果无统计学差异;老龄牦牛睾丸组织HSPG主要在Leydig细胞表达降低,平均吸光度检测统计极显著低于青年牦牛(P0.01);同一年龄段LN、ColⅣ和HSPG表达无明显差异。高原环境中,老龄牦牛生精上皮退化伴随着间质成分增加、间质面积增大、Leydig细胞及Sertoli细胞数量减少等形态学变化;睾丸组织ColⅣ分泌增加且胶原纤维合成增强,LN和HSPG的显著降低可能影响Leydig细胞合成分泌能力。     

成纤维细胞生长因子21及其受体1、2在小鼠毛囊形成期的定位和表达

本试验旨在通过研究成纤维细胞生长因子21(fibroblast growth factor 21,FGF21)及其受体FGFR1、FGFR2在胚胎小鼠毛囊形成阶段中的定位与表达,从而探究其在小鼠毛囊形成中的作用。试验采用免疫组织化学、实时荧光定量PCR及Western blotting方法研究FGF21、FGFR1、FGFR2蛋白和mRNA在胚胎期13～18d(E13～E18)小鼠皮肤中的表达。结果显示:(1)FGF21蛋白在E13主要表达于表层细胞、基底层细胞及结缔组织中,E14表达于表层细胞和基板,E15在毛芽中有微量表达,E16、E17表达于毛钉中,E18主要表达于未成熟毛囊细胞;FGFR1和FGFR2蛋白在E13～E18于表层细胞、基底层、基板、毛芽、毛钉、未成熟毛囊和结缔组织中均有表达。(2)实时荧光定量PCR及Western blotting结果显示:FGF21mRNA和蛋白在E14相对表达量最高;FGFR1mRNA及蛋白在E16～E17相对表达量较高;FGFR2mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量在E13至E18均呈上升趋势,在E18相对表达量最高。结果提示:在小鼠胚胎期毛囊形成和发育过程中,FGF21可能在诱导毛囊启动过程中发挥一定的作用;FGFR1可能促进毛钉形成;FGFR2可能在毛囊形成和成熟中发挥重要作用。     

Comparison of the Distribution of PGP9.5 and NPY in Cryptorchidism and Testicular Tumors in Dogs

The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution and expression of peptidergic neurotransmitters protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in cryptorchidism and testicular tumors of dogs,compare them with normal testicular tissues of the same age,and provide reference for clinical diagnosis of malignant transformation in testicular tumors of dogs.HE staing,Masson trichrome staining,Gomori silver staining and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the tissue characteristics of reticular fibers,collagen fibers and mast cells.Immunohistochemical SP method and immunofluorescence combined with IPP were used to analyze the expression and localization of PGP9.5 and NPY in tissues.The results showed that the seminiferous epithelium of normal dog testis was composed of 4-7 layers of spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells,and the distribution of collagen fibers and reticular fibers in interstitial tissue was sparse.The thickness of collagen fibers in the basement membrane of cryptorchidism seminiferous tubules increased,the nucleus of Sertoli concentrated at the base of seminiferous tubules,and the interstitial reticular fibers increased.The tissue structure of testicular tumor was unclear,collagen fibers and reticular fibers were irregularly distributed,and mast cells increased significantly compared with normal and cryptorchid groups.The immunofluorescence results showed that PGP9.5 was moderately positive in Leydig cells of normal testis,no significant expression in spermatogenic cells,strongly positive in Leydig cells and spermatogenic cells of cryptorchidism,and occasional expression in testicular tumors.NPY was occasionally expressed in normal testicular Leydig cells,but not in spermatogenic cells,strong positive expression in Leydig cells and seminiferous epithelium of cryptorchidism,high density and strong positive expression in interstitial vessels,and no obvious expression in testicular tumors.Immunohistochemical statistics showed that the expression of PGP9.5 and NPY in testicular tumor tissue were extremely significantly lower than that in normal group (P<0.01),while the expression of PGP9.5 and NPY in cryptorchidism group were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P<0.05;P<0.01).Therefore,the expression of PGP9.5 and NPY in cryptorchidism of dogs was increased suggesting that the cryptorchidism of dogs had a tendency to develop into a tumor,and was related to the degree of malignant transformation of tumor.     

关中奶山羊FGF2基因克隆、生物信息学分析及组织表达研究

【目的】对关中奶山羊成纤维细胞生长因子2（fibroblast growth factor 2，FGF2）基因进行克隆及生物信息学分析，并检测其在山羊各组织中的表达差异，为后续探究该基因的功能奠定基础。【方法】以关中奶山羊乳腺cDNA为模板，采用RT-PCR技术扩增并克隆关中奶山羊FGF2基因完整CDS区序列，进行相似性比对、系统发育树构建及生物信息学分析；运用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测FGF2基因在关中奶山羊心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、背最长肌、肺脏、乳腺和卵巢组织中的表达情况。【结果】关中奶山羊FGF2基因编码区长468 bp，可编码155个氨基酸，分子质量为17.26 ku，理论等电点为9.58，其中含量最高的是甘氨酸，占10.3%。相似性比对结果表明，关中奶山羊FGF2氨基酸序列与人、牛、马、兔、绵羊、虎鲸和野猪的相似性分别为98.7%、99.4%、100.0%、98.7%、99.4%、99.4%和62.6%。系统进化树显示，FGF2基因在不同物种间具有高度保守性，与马的亲缘关系最近。关中奶山羊FGF2蛋白不稳定指数为38.39，属于稳定亲水性蛋白质，不含跨膜结构和信号肽；FGF2蛋白二级结构含有α-螺旋、β-转角、延伸链、无规则卷曲，分别占比10.32%、14.19%、30.97%、44.52%。蛋白质互作预测分析显示，FGF2蛋白与FGFR、KDR、FGF1、FGFR4、MET和FGFR1等与乳腺生长发育相关的蛋白存在相互作用。实时荧光定量PCR检测到关中奶山羊FGF2基因在心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、背最长肌、肺脏、乳腺和卵巢中均有表达，在乳腺中表达水平最高，其次为卵巢，在背最长肌中的表达水平最低。【结论】关中奶山羊FGF2基因CDS区序列长468 bp，编码155个氨基酸，为亲水蛋白，二级结构以延伸链和无规则卷曲为主。FGF2基因在关中奶山羊泌乳高峰期的不同组织中均有表达。本试验结果为进一步探究FGF2基因在关中奶山羊乳腺发育中的作用及其具体功能提供了参考。     

INSL-3 protein expression in normal and cryptorchid testes of Ziwuling black goats

Ziwuling black goats are typically found in loess plateaus regions and the Ziwuling Nature Reserve. Cryptorchidism is a common disease in this inbred goat, and its pathogenesis has been linked with the expression of insulin-like factor 3 (INSL-3). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate anatomical alterations caused by cryptorchism and the expression and distribution of INSL-3 in normal and cryptorchid testicular tissues. The testicular tissues of 6-month-old Ziwuling black goats were collected for microscopic analyses using histochemical, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and biometrical methods, as well as Western blotting to compare the expression and distribution of INSL-3. A lower expression of INSL-3 was observed in cryptorchid compared with normal testicular tissues (p < .01). Cryptorchidism caused a significant reduction in layers of spermatogenic epithelium and tubule areas in Ziwuling black goat (p < .01). The interstitial to seminiferous tubule area ratio was larger in cryptorchid than in normal group. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining revealed pronounced positive bands in the interstitial tissue, while positive Alcian blue (AB) staining was not clear, and AB-PAS staining revealed a positive red band in the basement membrane of cryptorchid group. Immunofluorescence revealed a strong signal of INSL-3 expression in Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells, and moderate signal in Leydig and spermatogenic cells in the normal group. However, in cryptorchid testicular tissues, the signal of INSL-3 expression was strong in primary spermatocytes, occasional in Sertoli cells, limited in Leydig cells and absent in peritubular myoid cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry showed that INSL-3 expression was higher in normal testes compared with cryptorchid testicular tissues (p < .05), especially in primary spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. Collectively, our results indicate that cryptorchidism is closely related to the disorder of acid glycoprotein metabolism and the reduction in release of INSL-3 from Leydig cells. Moreover, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells are crucial for INSL signalling and could underpin further research on the mechanism of cryptorchidism in animal.     

Leydig cell hyperplasia in an ENU-induced mutant mouse with germ cell depletion

Repro22 is an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutation in mice showing depletion of both male and female germ cells. In the present study, we investigated the male phenotypes of the mutant mouse at the adult stage. The repro22/repro22 homozygous mice showed reduced body weights as well as markedly reduced testis weights. Histological examination of the testes at 4 and 10 months of age showed no germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of the affected testis while a number of Sertoli cells were observed in the tubules. In addition to the germ cell depletion, the testes of the affected mouse contained expanded intertubular spaces that were filled by Leydig cell-like interstitial cells. These interstitial cells were confirmed to be Leydig cells by immunohistochmical staining using anti-3beta-HSD antibody. The estimated number of Leydig cells in the affected testes at 10 months of age increased approximately 2 fold compared with those of normal testes. Furthermore, the plasma testosterone levels of the affected mice at 10 months of age were significantly higher than those of the normal mice. These findings indicated that the repro22/repro22 mouse developed hyperplasia of Leydig cells that was presumably caused by the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules.     

Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a ubiquitously distributed gap junction protein in testes and other reproductive tissues. Adjacent cells share ions and small metabolites through intercellular channels, which are present in gap junctions. Previously, Cx43 has not been reported in testes, epididymides and prostates either in healthy stallions or cryptorchid horses. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the expression pattern of Cx43 in the reproductive tissues of stallions and examine whether naturally occurring bilateral cryptorchidism has any influence on distribution and expression of Cx43. METHODS: The expression and the presence of Cx43 protein were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Cx43 antibody. RESULTS: In stallions, gap junctions appeared as structures localised to cell-cell contacts between adjacent cells. In testes, Cx43 expression was detected in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, between Leydig and Sertoli, as well as Sertoli and germ cells. In epididymides, Cx43 was localised between epithelial cells, whereas in prostates, between secretory cells of the glandular epithelium. In the cryptorchid, a clear reduction of Cx43 signal was observed in all reproductive tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Coupling of Leydig cells via gap junctions may suggest that steroidogenic function of the testis is under the influence of these intercellular channels. Within seminiferous tubules, the expression was found to be stage-specific, pointing to its role in coordinating spermatogenesis. Differential distribution of Cx43 protein in the reproductive tract of normal and cryptorchid stallions indicates that expression is clearly dependent on the physiological status of the horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Detection of Cx43 expression in equine testicular, epididymal, and prostatic cells is important for a better understanding of the role of intercellular membrane channels in direct cell communication within the reproductive tract of stallions.