Johnson J A, Grande J P, Roche P C, Kumar R
Nephrology Research Unit, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Histochem Cell Biol. 1996 Jan;105(1):7-15. doi: 10.1007/BF01450873.
Vitamin D3, via its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, plays a critical part in male and female reproduction in the rat. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 activity is mediated by an intracellular receptor (VDR). VDR distribution in reproductive tissue has not been studied using antibodies against the receptor. We developed a polyclonal antibody against the VDR and used it to examine VDR distribution in male and female rat reproductive tissues. In rat testes, VDR epitopes were observed in seminiferous tubules, specifically in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. Spermatozoa stained faintly. Epithelial cells of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate also expressed VDR epitopes. In the female rat reproductive tract, immunostaining for VDR was seen in ovarian follicles, specifically in granulosa cells. Weaker VDR immunostaining was observed in follicular thecal cells and in the ovarian stroma and germinal epithelium. Corpus luteal cells stained intensely for VDR. Epithelium of fallopian tubes and the uterus also contained VDR epitopes. Both nuclear and cytoplasmic VDR immunostaining was observed in male and female rat reproductive tissues. We conclude that the VDR is widely distributed in male and female reproductive tissues and that it is likely to mediate actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the tissues.
维生素D3通过其活性代谢物1,25-二羟基维生素D3在大鼠的雄性和雌性生殖中发挥关键作用。1,25-二羟基维生素D3的活性由细胞内受体（VDR）介导。尚未使用针对该受体的抗体研究VDR在生殖组织中的分布。我们制备了一种针对VDR的多克隆抗体，并用它来检测VDR在雄性和雌性大鼠生殖组织中的分布。在大鼠睾丸中，在生精小管中观察到VDR表位，特别是在精原细胞、支持细胞和精母细胞中。精子染色较淡。附睾、精囊和前列腺的上皮细胞也表达VDR表位。在雌性大鼠生殖道中，在卵巢卵泡中可见VDR免疫染色，特别是在颗粒细胞中。在卵泡膜细胞、卵巢基质和生发上皮中观察到较弱的VDR免疫染色。黄体细胞VDR染色强烈。输卵管和子宫的上皮也含有VDR表位。在雄性和雌性大鼠生殖组织中均观察到细胞核和细胞质的VDR免疫染色。我们得出结论，VDR广泛分布于雄性和雌性生殖组织中，并且它可能介导1,25-二羟基维生素D3在这些组织中的作用。
