Expression of the β‐nerve growth factor gene in male sex organs of the mouse, rat, and guinea pig

Abstract

Steady-state nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA levels were estimated in male sex organs of the mouse, rat, and guinea pig by RNA blot hybridization analysis. The abundance of NGF mRNAs was in the order vas deferens greater than epididymis greater than or equal to seminal vesicles much greater than testis. NGF mRNA levels in these organs were compared with those estimated for other rat peripheral tissues and were found to correlate with the density of their sympathetic innervation, with the exception of guinea pig prostate. Castration had no significant effect on NGF mRNA levels in the guinea pig prostate, suggesting that NGF synthesis in this tissue is not under direct androgen control. NGF-like and proNGF-like immunoreactivities were localized by immunohistochemical techniques in the secretory cells of the glandular epithelium of the guinea pig prostate and in germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testis.

Effects of castration on the expression of the NGF and TrkA in the vas deferens and accessory male genital glands of the rat

“…In particular NGF-IR was localized in secretory epithelial cells of the vas deferens and of glands and in the fibromuscular stromal tissue of the glands. The present results are in accordance with previous reports in which NGF-IR was observed in secretory epithelial cells of the adult male rat vesicular and prostate glands (Li et al, 2005), and in the Japanese monkey (Jin et al, 2006) and guinea pig prostate (MacGrogan et al, 1991;Shikata et al, 1984). These results suggest that secretory epithelial cells are the site of production of this factor (Harper et al, 1979;Shikata et al, 1984;MacGrogan et al, 1991;Paul et al, 1996).…”

“…In the prostate, NGF and NGF precursor have been immunohistochemically localized in the glandular epithelium, suggesting that secretory epithelial cells are the site of production of this factor (Shikata et al, 1984;MacGrogan et al, 1991;Paul et al, 1996). Paracrine neurotrophin synthesis by stromal cells has also been postulated (Pflug et al,.…”

The expression and localisation of beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) in benign and malignant human prostate tissue: relationship to neuroendocrine differentiation

“…The earlier report by Graham et al (1993) used ovalbumin with a goat secondary antibody, whereas, in the present study, we employed 20% sheep serum along with a sheep secondary antibody. Whether this would account for the differences seen is not clear, but it is well established that the use of blocking and secondary sera from the same species produces less non-specific staining (Bancroft and Cook, 1994 (Harper and Thoenen, 1980;Shikata et al, 1984;MacGrogan et al, 1990 (Allen et al, 1995). Although the presence of these cells may not be a prognosticator, there is evidence that as prostate adenocarcinomas dedifferentiate (Allen et al, 1995), progress (Aprikian et al, 1994) and become androgen independent (Berner et al, 1993), they contain a higher portion of neuroendocrine elements.…”

“…In the prostates of rodents, it may be present in high concentration and is localised to prostate epithelium (Harper and Thoenen, 1980;Shikata et al, 1984;MacGrogan et al, 1990). Recently, MacGrogan et al have found f,-NGF expression and variable ,B-NGF concentrations (0-1720 pg g-') in human benign hyperplastic (BPH) tissue (MacGrogan et al, 1992).…”

Expression and localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the testis of alpaca <i>(llama pacos)</i>

“…Furthermore, NGF participates in the adjustment of testosterone. NGF plays an important role in promoting the formation and development of the testis and the differentiation, maturation and movement of the spermatozoon [17,18]. This review reveals that immunoreactive material NGF is expressed in all Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells of 1-month old, 12-month old and 24-month old alpaca testes.…”