Immunolocalization of sex steroid receptors in the epididymis and ductus deferens of immature and mature Japanese Quail, <i>Coturnix Japonica</i>

Nishizawa, Hanako; Okamoto, Toshikazu; Yoshimura, Y.

doi:10.1046/j.1344-3941.2002.00047.x

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Estrogen receptor immunopositivity is also reported in the epithelial cells of the efferent ductules, epididymal duct, and ductus deferens in immature and sexually mature Japanese quail Coturnix japonica, although increased ER expression may occur during maturation [70]. Furthermore, the gonads of C. japonica become sexually differentiated upon activation of ERα by endogenous estrogens.…”

Section: Birdsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Aromatase–Estrogen System in the Testes of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates

Rosati

Falvo

Baccari

et al. 2021

Animals

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Estrogens are important physiological regulators of testicular activity in vertebrates. Estrogen levels depend on the activity of P450 aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the irreversible conversion of testosterone into 17β-estradiol. Therefore, P450 aromatase is the key player in the aromatase–estrogen system. The present review offers a comparative overview of P450 aromatase activity in male gonads of amphibians, reptiles, and birds, with a particular emphasis on the functions of the aromatase–estrogen system in these organisms during their developmental and adult stages. The aromatase–estrogen system appears to be crucial for the sex differentiation of gonads in vertebrates. Administration of aromatase inhibitors prior to sexual differentiation of gonads results in the development of males rather than females. In adults, both aromatase and estrogen receptors are expressed in somatic cells, Leydig and Sertoli cells, as well as germ cells, with certain differences among different species. In seasonal breeding species, the aromatase–estrogen system serves as an “on/off” switch for spermatogenesis. In some amphibian and reptilian species, increased estrogen levels in post-reproductive testes are responsible for blocking spermatogenesis, whereas, in some species of birds, estrogens function synergistically with testosterone to promote spermatogenesis. Recent evidence indicates that the production of the aromatase enzyme in excessive amounts reduces the reproductive performance in avian species of commercial interest. The use of aromatase inhibitors to improve fertility has yielded suitable positive results. Therefore, it appears that the role of the aromatase–estrogen system in regulating the testicular activity differs not only among the different classes of vertebrates but also among different species within the same class.

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Section: Birdsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Aromatase–Estrogen System in the Testes of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates

Rosati

Falvo

Baccari

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…In non‐mammalian vertebrates, the presence of ERs in the testis and/or in the epididymal tract was reported in fish (Viñas and Piferrer, 2008); in amphibians (Arenas et al, 2001); in some chelonians among reptiles (Dufaure et al, 1983; Gist et al, 2007; Otsuka et al, 2008); and in birds (Kwon et al, 1997; Oliveira et al, 2001; Nishizawa and Okamoto, 2002). Little is known, however, about saurian species, especially lizards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha switches off secretory activity in the epididymal channel of the lizard Podarcis sicula

Verderame

Angelini

Limatola

2011

Molecular Reproduction Devel

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The epididymis in the male reproductive tract allows the survival, viability, and storage of spermatozoa from the testis. In the lizard Podarcis sicula, the epididymis can be regionalized to an initial segment called the caput that comprises the efferent ductules, followed by the middle and terminal segments, respectively termed the corpus and cauda. By means of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, we analyzed the expression of the estrogen receptors of the alpha and beta type (ERα and ERβ) in Podarcis to test the responsiveness of the epididymal regions to estrogen in the annual reproductive cycle of this seasonal breeder. The results show that the efferent ductules and the cauda always express both ERα and ERβ throughout the year. In the corpus, the expression of ERα takes place only at the end of the mating period and continues in the non-reproductive season whereas ERβ is expressed in all phases of the cycle. During the mating season, the cells of the corpus are engaged in massive secretory activity and do not express ERα. Experimental administration of E(2) during this season does not change the expression of ERβ, nor does it affect the efferent ductules and cauda; instead, it inhibits the secretory activity in the corpus and induces the expression of ERα. Taken together, our findings suggest that in the epididymis of Podarcis, the expression of ERα may act as a switch for the secretory activity of the epididymal corpus.

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“…It has been found that ESR1 and ESR2 receptors also exert different functions in testes. In Japanese quails, ESR1 is responsible for the control and course of spermatogenesis [ 56 ]. In male rats, it was shown that treatment with an ESR1 agonist causes an arrest in the differentiation of round spermatids into elongated spermatids, mainly due to the downregulation of genes involved in spermiogenesis, while ESR2 agonist administration reduces sperm counts due to spermiation failure and spermatocyte apoptosis [ 57 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several lines of investigation showed expression of the progesterone receptor in the cells of the left ovary in both embryos, hatchling chicks, matured, and egg-laying hens [ 28 , 63 ], in preovulatory and postovulatory follicles [ 28 ], and in granular and interstitial cells in the ovarian tissues. In humans and rodents, the greatest number of immunopositive cells expressing the progesterone receptor was found within the epithelial cells of the oviduct and their expression were largely dependent on gonadotropins [ 64 ], whereas in testes, expression was immunolocalized in the epididymis and ductus deferens of immature and mature Japanese Quails [ 56 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sodium Fluoride In Vitro Treatment Affects the Expression of Gonadotropin and Steroid Hormone Receptors in Chicken Embryonic Gonads

Grzegorzewska¹,

Grot²,

Sechman³

2021

Animals

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Sodium fluoride (NaF), in addition to preventing dental decay may negatively affect the body. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 6 h in vitro treatment of gonads isolated from 14-day-old chicken embryos with NaF at doses of 1.7 (D1), 3.5 (D2), 7.1 (D3), and 14.2 mM (D4). The mRNA expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2), progesterone receptor (PGR), and the immunolocalization of progesterone receptors were examined in the tissue. In the ovary, the expression of FSHR and LHR increased following the NaF treatment. In the case of FSHR the highest stimulatory effect was noticed in the D2 group, while the expression of LHR increased in a dose-dependent manner. A gradual increase in ESR1 and PGR mRNA levels was also observed in the ovary following the NaF treatment, but only up to the D3 dose of NaF. The highest ESR2 level was also found in the D3 group. In the testes, the lowest dose of NaF significantly decreased the expression of FSHR, ESR1, ESR2, and PGR. On the other hand, an increase in PGR expression was observed in the D3 group. The expression of LHR in the testes was not affected by the NaF treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that NaF exposure increased progesterone receptor expression in the ovarian cortex, while it decreased its expression in the testes. These results reveal that NaF may disturb the chicken embryonic development and different mechanisms of this toxicant action exist within the females and males.

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Immunolocalization of sex steroid receptors in the epididymis and ductus deferens of immature and mature Japanese Quail, Coturnix Japonica

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

The Aromatase–Estrogen System in the Testes of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates

The Aromatase–Estrogen System in the Testes of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha switches off secretory activity in the epididymal channel of the lizard Podarcis sicula

Sodium Fluoride In Vitro Treatment Affects the Expression of Gonadotropin and Steroid Hormone Receptors in Chicken Embryonic Gonads

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