Aquaporins: New markers for male (in)fertility in livestock and poultry?

Morphology and immunolocalization of aquaporins 1 and 9 in the agouti (Dasyprocta azarae) testis excurrent ducts

“…The present study investigated the morphology by light microscopy and immunoexpression of aquaporins (AQPs) 1 and 9 in the rete testis, efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens of the Azara's agouti (Dasyprocta azarae) aiming to fill a gap in the literature about the agouti male reproductive tract. According to Oberska and Michalek (2021), the basic information about AQPs expression is necessary to create "distribution maps" of AQPs in the male reproductive organs, and this will constitute the initial information for further reproductive studies. The Azara's agouti rete testis (RT) is a labyrinthine RT, appearing in the mediastinum of the testicle.…”

“…There are many studies on the AQP-1 and -9 expressions in the male reproductive tract. The AQP-1 has been considered a protein responsible for water reabsorption since it has been found in non-ciliated cells of the human efferent ducts and in the epididymis (Nicòtina et al, 2005;Oberska and Michalek, 2021), and concerning AQP9, it has been suggested that this AQP could be involved in the movement of water and small solute molecules through the male reproductive tract (Da Oberska and Michalek, 2021).…”

Aquaporins in the male reproductive system: A chance for paternity or a road to nowhere?

“…2005) 11 and (B) spermatozoa (modified from Michałek et al. 2021, Oberska and Michałek 2021) 1,5 . Both diagrams show the generalized and most frequently observed locations of individual AQPs.…”

“…To date, AQP3, AQP7, AQP8, and AQP11, which are present at specific sites in the spermatozoa, have been observed in humans and many animal species (Figure 1B). 5 A broader analysis has not been carried out so far, and it has not been verified whether the remaining from 13 AQPs may also be expressed in spermatozoa. After ejaculation, the spermatozoa have to travel a long way before reaching their destination in the female reproductive tract in a hypoosmotic medium.…”

Freezing Stallion Semen—What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future?

“…Thus, they may have a crucial role in reducing intracellular water content prior to freezing. They are considered to be involved in a number of functions in the male reproductive system [ 95 , 96 ] and may play a role in protecting stallion spermatozoa against cryodamage [ 97 ]. To date, 13 types have been identified [ 96 ].…”