GPER1, estrogen receptors and androgen receptor in the sand rat (Psammomys obesus) efferent ducts
Résumé
The efferent ducts are mainly involved in the reabsorption of the seminiferous tubular fluid. Testosterone as well as estrogens regulate efferent ducts functions via their receptors. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the location of the P450 aromatase, the 17-beta-estradiol (E2), the androgen receptor (AR), the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), the estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) and the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in the efferent ducts using psammomys obesus as an animal model to highlight the effect of the season on the histology and the distribution of these receptors. We observed a proliferation of the connective tissue, decreasing in the height of the epithelium during the resting season compared to the breeding season. Ciliated cells expressed P450 aromatase, AR, E2, ESR1, ESR2 and GPER1 during both seasons. Basal cells showed a positive staining for the ESR1 and the GPER1 during both season, the AR and E2 during the breeding season and ESR2 during the resting season. Our result shows that the expression of androgen receptor as well as estrogen receptors in the efferent ducts vary by season witch suggest that they are largely involved in the regulation of the efferent ducts functions.