Immunolocalization of Cytoskeletal Proteins in the Testes of Two Asian Cervids: Water Deer (<i>Hydropotes inermis</i>) and Reeves’ Muntjac (<i>Muntiacus reevesi</i>)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In order to gather basic reproductive information of the water deer and Reeves' muntjac, the immunolocalization of the cytoskeleton proteins in the testes and epididymides of these two species was investigated. The distribution pattern of cytoskeletal proteins in these two species was similar. The desmin was detected in the peritubular myoid cells of the testes and the sub-epithelial cells of the epididymal ducts. Vimentin was observed in the myoid cells, Leydig cells and perinuclear region of the Sertoli cells. Intense immunoreactions for α-smooth muscle actin were restricted to the smooth vascular muscle cells and the peritubular myoid cells in the testes. From the present results, it appears that these distribution patterns of cytoskeletal proteins may be common in the cervids. The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) both belong to the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla, suborder Ruminantia). The water deer shows anatomical differences from other deer species by phylogenic evidences, including the absence of antlers and the existence of well-developed upper canines in the male [10,24]. There are two subspecies: the Chinese water deer (H. i. inermis) and the Korean water deer (H. i. argyropus). Although the status of the Chinese water deer in China has declined drastically [39], in contrast, the over-populated situation in South Korea has caused various conflicts to human life, including severe agricultural damage.Reeves' muntjac is one of the muntjac species and can be found in southeastern China and Taiwan as their habitat. The males have antlers, and their upper canines are apparent and protrude from the side of their mouths. This species was introduced into Japan as an exhibition animal and naturalized in the southern part of Chiba prefecture between the 1960s and 1980s [6] and onto Izu-oshima island in 1970 [27]. In the genus Muntjac, some studies on their reproduction and growth have been performed [11][12][13][14]. Macroscopic and histological observations of the male reproductive organs of the Korean water deer have been performed and demonstrate that the Korean water deer possesses the same four typical accessory reproductive glands as other ruminant species. Seasonal changes in size and weight of the testis were also clearly noted, and the breeding season of the animal has been shown to be from October to December, when the male reproductive functions are most active [31]. The male breeding season in the Japanese population of Reeves' muntjac has not been clearly reported, however, the parturition has been observed throughout the year in Chiba prefecture, Japan [27].The cytoskeleton proteins are comprised of microfilaments (actins), intermediate filaments (desmin and vimentin), microtubules (tubulin), neuro-filament proteins, glial fibrillary acidic proteins and cytokeratin. Their roles in cellular structure and function include maintaining cell shape and polarity, positioning of intracellular organelles, forming of cytoplasmic extensions and anchoring o...

Histological study and immunohistochemical location of cytoskeletal proteins in the testis and epididymis of the three species of lizards of the family Leiosauridae (Reptilia: Squamata)

“…Immunohistochemical studies related to IF desmin reveal its presence at varying intensities in the region of the testicular albuginea in the analysed lizards, indicating the probable existence of contractile cells in this connective tissue layer. A similar result was also observed in humans, rats and Korean water deer and Reeves' muntjac testis (Paranko & Pelliniemi, 1992;Sohn et al, 2013;Virtanen et al, 1986); in quails, domestic roosters, turkeys and ducks (Aire & Ozegbe, 2007), and in fish, where the peritubular cells were desmin-positive (Arenas et al, 1995;Ramos et al, 1996).…”

“…Peritubular myoid cells, as well as other contractile cells, express markers for alpha‐actin MFs (Maekawa et al, 1991) and for desmin IF (Ježek et al, 1996). This peritubular tissue in the testes of the lizards analysed here presents a marked immunohistochemical reaction for α‐SMA, in the same way as observed in quails, roosters, turkeys and ducks (Aire & Ozegbe, 2007; Maretta & Marettová, 2004; Rothwell & Tingari, 1973; Van Nassauw et al, 1993) and sheep, monkeys, rabbits and Korean water deer and Reeves' muntjac (Abd‐Elmaksoud, 2009; Schlatt et al, 1993; Sohn et al, 2013; Steger & Wrobel, 1994). The activity of these filaments is responsible for the contraction of seminiferous tubules, which results in fluid movement and propulsion of sperm (Rossi et al, 2002).…”

“…Desmin is seen in both the testicular albuginea and smooth muscle tissue within the wall of the epididymal ducts of E. perditus and E. bilineatus, which has also been reported in some bird species (Aire & Ozegbe, 2008;Hess & Thurston, 1977) and in Korean water deer and Reeves' muntjac (Sohn et al, 2013). In birds, the tissue surrounding the ducts of the epididymis has contractile elements, which may continue the transport of the luminal flow from one segment to the other (Aire & Ozegbe, 2008).…”

Sexual Dimorphism of Craniomandibular Size in the Korean Water Deer, <i>Hydropotes inermis argyropus</i>

“…In addition to this, intraspecific genetic diversity of the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in this species has been reported [6,7]. Until recently, very little was known about the morphology of the Korean water deer, but a series of our studies have provided basic information on the skull growth pattern, the lamination of the masticatory muscle and the genital organ anatomy [8,[14][15][16]. Here, we report for the first time the sexual dimorphism pattern of the Korean water deer.…”

Morphology of placentome in Korean water deer <i>Hydropotes inermis argropus</i>

“…The genus Hydropotes , belonging to the subfamily Hydropotinae, and family Cervidae, is distributed across South Korea and the Northeastern China [ 7 , 13 ], and it exhibits unique characteristics, including the presence of well-developed canines in the maxilla and absence of antlers [ 12 ]. Although the ecological [ 10 , 11 , 54 ] and genetic [ 21 , 27 ] studies on this species have been conducted previously, there are limited studies on the anatomical examination of the Korean water deer, which include the male reproductive organ [ 36 , 37 ], branching pattern of the aortic arch [ 1 ], rumen structure [ 19 ], and morphometric studies of the skull [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 31 ].…”