Effect of vitamin D on testicular CaBP28K expression and serum testosterone in chickens

Abstract

Vitamin D is known to reverse infertility in male and female rats. This study was an investigation of the effects of vitamin D deficiency on calbindin-D28K (CaBP28K) and testosterone levels in male chickens. Chickens were raised from 1 day of age to 8 wk of age on a normal or a vitamin D-deficient diet. A radioreceptor assay showed that serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in chickens fed a normal diet than in those fed a vitamin D-deficient diet. The morphology of the seminiferous tubules was not different between the vitamin D-replete and vitamin D-deficient chickens. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that CaBP28K was present in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of the seminiferous tubules. A few interstitial Leydig cells were positive for CaBP28K. RIA was used to quantify the amount of CaBP28K in the testes, which was threefold higher in chickens raised on a normal diet than in chickens raised on a vitamin D-deficient diet. Testosterone concentration in serum, determined by RIA, was not different between the two groups. Neither serum calcium nor phosphorus levels were different between the two groups. This investigation represents the first demonstration of the effect of vitamin D deficiency on CaBP28K expression in chicken testes. The results indicate that the decrease in testicular CaBP28K concentration was attributable to vitamin D deficiency despite normal serum testosterone and calcium levels in 8-wk-old chickens.

Nongenomic and genomic effects of 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in rat testis

“…The presence of this protein was reported in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells from chicken (Inpanbutr and Taylor, 1992) and rat (Kigi et al, 1988). Also, Inpanbutr et al (1996) showed that 1,25D 3 chicken serum levels positively correlates with testicular CaBP28K however the involvement of this protein with reproduction is still unknown.…”

“…Similarly, the levels of Calbindin-D 28K (CaBP28K), a 28-kDa vitamin D-dependent Ca 2+ -binding protein, were reduced in vitamin-D deficient animals suggesting that 1,25D 3 regulates the expression and the synthesis of this protein whose appearance was correlated with the process of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis (Inpanbutr et al, 1996). The presence of this protein was reported in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells from chicken (Inpanbutr and Taylor, 1992) and rat (Kigi et al, 1988).…”

Vitamin D in human reproduction: a narrative review

“…Recent evidence supports a protective role of vitamin D from oxidative stress and cellular toxicity in diabetic rat testes, as well as maintenance of the number and motility of sperm in these animals (42). Finally, animal studies suggest that vitamin D stimulates the expression of calcium‐binding protein CaBP 28k in testis, which is involved in the process of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis (43,44).…”

Effects of Photoperiod and Age on Secretory Patterns of Luteinizing Hormone and Testosterone and Semen Production in Male Domestic Turkeys1

“…After serial bleeding, the birds were killed. The testes were then removed and weighed, and a portion of the right testis was fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained for histological examination as previously described [19].…”