Immunolocalisation of 11β‐HSD‐1 and ‐2, glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor and Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase during the postnatal development of the rat epididymis

Abstract

Glucocorticoids have been implicated in male reproductive function and 11b-HSD-1 and -2, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), all of which are known to modulate glucocorticoid action, have been localised in the adult rat epididymis, but their developmental expression has not been investigated. Na + K + -ATPase activity, responsible for sodium transport, is induced by both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in the kidney and colon, and has been localised in epididymal epithelium. This study examined the immunolocalisation of 11b-HSD-1 and -2, GR, MR and Na + K + -ATPase in rat epididymal epithelium (n = 5) at postnatal days (pnd) 1, 7, 15, 28, 40, 60, 75 and 104, and relative mRNA expression of 11b-HSD-1 and -2, and GR at prepuberty (pnd 28) and post-puberty (pnd 75). 11b-HSD-1, GR and MR were localised in the epididymal epithelium from pnd 1, and 11b-HSD-2 and Na + K + -ATPase reactivity from pnd 15. At pnd 28 there was maximal immunoreactivity for both the GR and MR and 11b-HSD-1 and -2. 11b-HSD-1 mRNA expression in the caput increased from pre-to post-puberty, whereas 11b-HSD-2 mRNA expression fell over the same period (P < 0.01). GR mRNA expression was similar at pre-and post-puberty in both caput and cauda. Developmental changes in expression of 11b-HSD-1 and -2 suggest that overall exposure of the epididymis to glucocorticoids increases post-puberty, but cell-specific expression of the 11b-HSD enzymes still provides a capacity for intricate local control of glucocorticoid exposure.

Circulating aldosterone induces the apical accumulation of the proton pumping V-ATPase and increases proton secretion in clear cells in the caput epididymis

“…The RAAS has been implicated in the control of numerous biological systems, such as blood volume, and more recently in the local control of several organ systems (41). Previous research has shown the specific binding of [ (25,28,37,44,62). Our results further demonstrate the enriched mRNA expression of NR3C2 and HSD11␤2 in clear cells isolated by FACS from the caput mouse epididymis, and the absence of HSD11␤2 mRNA in cauda clear cells.…”

“…Data were expressed as the means Ϯ SE where indicated. (25,28,37,44,62). We, therefore, set out to confirm these results at the mRNA level, using our EGFP transgenic mice, in which the expression of EGFP is under the control of a clear cell specific promoter (35) (Fig.…”

“…In addition, HSD11␤2 gene expression has been detected in the epididymis and is also enriched in clear cells (37,62). A recent publication showed immunolocalization of MR and HSD11␤2 in clear cells of the adult rat caput but not the cauda (25). Therefore, clear cells appear to have all the tools necessary to respond to aldosterone.…”

Impact of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment on testicular morphology and sperm parameters in rats: insights into the adrenal control of male reproduction

“…Experimental conditions in which bilateral adrenalectomy was employed to manipulate the circulating levels of adrenal steroids further indicate an involvement of glucocorticoids in the modulation of spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis (Lescoat et al, 1982;Saxena & Paul, 1987, 1988Gao et al, 1997;Weber et al, 2000), as well as in the fluid reabsorption by epithelial cells from the epididymis and vas deferens (Au et al, 1978;Turner & Cesarini, 1983;Phillips & Schultz, 2002). In agreement with these observations, the differential expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms in tissues from the male reproductive tract of different species (Schultz et al, 1993;Mohler et al, 1996;Weber et al, 2000;Biagini & Pich, 2002;Waddell et al, 2003;Sharp et al, 2007;Silva et al, 2010;Gladstones et al, 2012;Cabrera-Sharp et al, 2013) indicate that they are targets for glucocorticoid actions. Previously, we showed that GR is constitutively expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of epididymal epithelial, interstitial and smooth muscle cells from the adult rat, suggesting that basal activation of GR by normal physiological levels of glucocorticoids occurs within the epididymis (Silva et al, 2010).…”

Activation of HSD11B1 in the bovine cumulus-oocyte complex during IVM and IVF

“…This study demonstrates that bovine spermatozoa exert neither HSD11B1 nor HSD11B2 activity under the IVF conditions used. Various testes, epididymis and male accessory gland tissues express HSD11Bs and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in pigs (23) and rodents (24, 25, 26). However, to our knowledge, neither the presence of HSD11Bs nor the functional GR in the spermatozoon has been demonstrated in any species.…”