Duan Yong-gang, Xiong Zhong-ming, Li Jian-xiong, Zhu Chang-hong, Liu Zi-long
Reproductive Medicine Center/Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2007 Nov;13(11):992-6.
To examine the differences in the expressions of c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of rats aged different months, investigate the regular changes in the expression of characteristic molecules in the ripening and senescent process of the testis and epididymis, and provide experimental evidence for studies on the aging of the male reproductive system.
Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into a young group (6-month-old, n=10), an adult group (12-month-old, n=10) and an aged group (24-month-old, n=10). The immunohistochemical SP method was used to examine c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of the rats.
The positive immunohistochemical reaction to c-kit was observed mainly in spermatogonia, weakly in other cells and also in the epithelia and lumens of the epididymis. The abundant expression of HIWI was detected in all stages of spermatogenic cells in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-old and 12-month-old rats. Moreover, spermatogonias and primary spermatocytes displayed intense expression. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, myoid cells and vascular endothelial cells (VEC) were also HIWI-positive cells. But the positive expression decreased with age in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats (P > 0.05). vimentin expression was weak in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-olds but increased significantly in the 24-month-olds (P > 0.01).
The expressions of c-kit and HIWI decreased in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats, while vimentin expression increased markedly with age. The results suggest that the aging of the testis and epididymis is closely related to the abnormal transduction of cell signals.
检测不同月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾中c-kit、HIWI及波形蛋白（vimentin）的表达差异，探讨睾丸和附睾成熟及衰老过程中特征性分子表达的规律性变化，为男性生殖系统衰老研究提供实验依据。
将Sprague-Dawley雄性大鼠分为幼年组（6月龄，n = 10）、成年组（12月龄，n = 10）和老年组（24月龄，n = 10）。采用免疫组织化学SP法检测大鼠睾丸和附睾中c-kit、HIWI及波形蛋白。
c-kit免疫组化阳性反应主要见于精原细胞，其他细胞呈弱阳性，附睾上皮及管腔也有阳性反应。6月龄和12月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾各阶段生精细胞均检测到HIWI的丰富表达，精原细胞和初级精母细胞呈强表达。支持细胞、间质细胞、肌样细胞及血管内皮细胞（VEC）也为HIWI阳性细胞。但24月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾中阳性表达随年龄下降（P > 0.05）。波形蛋白在6月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾中表达较弱，而在24月龄大鼠中显著增加（P > 0.01）。
24月龄大鼠睾丸和附睾中c-kit和HIWI表达下降，而波形蛋白表达随年龄显著增加。结果提示睾丸和附睾衰老与细胞信号转导异常密切相关。
