Immunohistochemical demonstration of myoid cells in the testis and its excurrent ducts in the domestic fowl

Abstract

(1) Immunohistochemical methods and three antibodies (against actin, desmin and smooth muscle actin) were used to demonstrate the myoid cells in the domestic fowl testis and its excurrent ducts. (2) A positive reaction to actin, smooth muscle actin and desmin was found in the myoid cells of peritubular tissue of the testis and in rete testis, ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis. (3) In the testis myoid-reactive cells form a single layer. In the rete testis, ductuli efferentes and the ductus epididymidis reactive myoid cells form a main component of the stroma. (4) Positive reaction to actin, smooth muscle actin and desmin was also observed in the myoid cells of the tunica albuginea and in the wall of blood vessels in the testis and epididymis, indicating a contractile function for the testicular capsule.

The cytoskeletal proteins in the contractile tissues of the testis and its excurrent ducts of the passerine bird, Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

“…The present report complements previous morphological and immunohistochemical studies in other Orders and Families of birds, Galloanserae and Ratitae (Aire and Ozegbe, 2007;Maretta and Marettova, 2004;Ozegbe et al, 2008Ozegbe et al, , 2010van Nassauw et al, 1993), with regard to contractile elements in the testis and its excurrent ducts. There is a great deal of variability in the immunoexpression of different microfilament and intermediate filament systems between this passerine bird and other birds studied (Aire and Ozegbe, 2007;Maretta and Marettova, 2004;Ozegbe et al, 2008Ozegbe et al, , 2010van Nassauw et al, 1993), and between birds and mammals, as there are between mammals (Dinges et al, 1991;Kasper and Stosiek, 1989;Palacios et al, 1991;Wakui et al, 1994).…”

“…There is a great deal of variability in the immunoexpression of different microfilament and intermediate filament systems between this passerine bird and other birds studied (Aire and Ozegbe, 2007;Maretta and Marettova, 2004;Ozegbe et al, 2008Ozegbe et al, , 2010van Nassauw et al, 1993), and between birds and mammals, as there are between mammals (Dinges et al, 1991;Kasper and Stosiek, 1989;Palacios et al, 1991;Wakui et al, 1994). This variability is not understood, and would require further and more precise studies in order to attain clarity and understanding because the contractile capacity of the periductal smooth muscle cells of the various ducts of the excurrent ducts, obviously constitutes the major motive force for the transportation of spermatozoa through and out of the excurrent ducts of birds, as also observed in mammals (Banks et al, 2006;Dinges et al, 1991;Kasper and Stosiek, 1989;Palacios et al, 1991;Wakui et al, 1994).…”

“…actin, cytokeratins, desmin and vimentin) in both epithelial and periductal tissue smooth muscle cells of the excurrent ducts of the testis in mammals (Achstätter et al, 1985;Ramaekers et al, 1985;Dinges, et al, 1991;Kasper and Stosiek, 1989;Palacios et al, 1993;Wakui et al, 1994). There are only a few reports on the contractile proteins in the testis and its complex excurrent duct system in birds (Aire, 1997;Aire and Ozegbe, 2007;Ozegbe et al, 2008Ozegbe et al, , 2010Maretta and Marettova, 2004;Rothwell and Tingari, 1973;van Nassauw et al, 1993). Actin microfilaments (MF) as well as desmin, cytokeratin and vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) have been immunodemonstrated in both the testis and its excurrent ducts in members of the Galloanserae and Ratitiae (Maretta and Marettova, 2004, Aire and Ozegbe, 2007, 2010.…”

“…There are only a few reports on the contractile proteins in the testis and its complex excurrent duct system in birds (Aire, 1997;Aire and Ozegbe, 2007;Ozegbe et al, 2008Ozegbe et al, , 2010Maretta and Marettova, 2004;Rothwell and Tingari, 1973;van Nassauw et al, 1993). Actin microfilaments (MF) as well as desmin, cytokeratin and vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) have been immunodemonstrated in both the testis and its excurrent ducts in members of the Galloanserae and Ratitiae (Maretta and Marettova, 2004, Aire and Ozegbe, 2007, 2010.…”

Immunohistochemistry of the cytoskeleton in the excurrent ducts of the testis in birds of the Galloanserae monophyly

“…Except for a report on the demonstration of actin microfilaments (MFs) and desmin IFs in the epididymis of the domestic fowl (Maretta and Marettova 2004), no other reports apparently exist concerning the presence of IFs in the epithelia and periductal tissue of excurrent ducts of the testis in birds. The present study, which evaluates the types of MF and IF systems (actin, cytokeratin, desmin and vimentin) that are present in the excurrent ducts of both galliform (Japanese quail, domestic fowl, turkey) and anseriform (duck) species of birds, extends and complements previous observations made in the testis of these birds (Aire and Ozegbe 2007) with a view to contributing to the understanding of the structure and function of the reproductive organs and tracts of male birds.…”