Expression of<EM> c-fos</EM>, Oestradiol and Oestrogen Receptor in the Testis of <EM>Rana chensinensis</EM> at Different Stages

YANG Chun; ZHANG Yu-hui<SUP>; *</SUP>

YANG Chun, ZHANG Yu-hui, *. 2007. Expression of c-fos, Oestradiol and Oestrogen Receptor in the Testis of Rana chensinensis at Different Stages. Zoological Research, 28(3): 303-310.

Citation:

YANG Chun, ZHANG Yu-hui, *. 2007. Expression of c-fos, Oestradiol and Oestrogen Receptor in the Testis of Rana chensinensis at Different Stages. Zoological Research, 28(3): 303-310.

Citation:

YANG Chun, ZHANG Yu-hui, *. 2007. Expression of c-fos, Oestradiol and Oestrogen Receptor in the Testis of Rana chensinensis at Different Stages. Zoological Research, 28(3): 303-310.

Expression of c-fos, Oestradiol and Oestrogen Receptor in the Testis of Rana chensinensis at Different Stages

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Localisation of FOS, 17β-oestradiol (E₂) and oestrogen receptors (ER) was investigated in testes at different stages of the spermatogenetic cycle of Rana chensinensis, using immunocytochemistry. The results showed that E₂ and ER are expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells from stage Ⅰ to stage Ⅴ of spermatogenesis. A strong positive co-expression of E₂ and ER was observed in spermatids in stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ. The staining intensity of E₂ and ER in stage Ⅲ spermatozoa was significantly higher than in stages Ⅳ and Ⅴ (P＜0.01). Expression of E2 and ER in Sertoli cells appears in stage Ⅰ and decreases in intensity from stage Ⅱ to stage Ⅳ, but increases in stage Ⅴ. Expression of E₂ and ER in Leydig cells was higher in stage Ⅲ than in other stages. FOS was localised in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells but not spermatozoa. Expression of FOS showed stagespecific characteristics.