Vol 49, No 1 (2011)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2011-04-19
DHT deficiency perturbs the integrity of the rat seminiferous epithelium by disrupting tight and adherens junctions
Agnieszka Kolasa, Mariola Marchlewicz, Lidia Wenda-Różewicka, Barbara Wiszniewska
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0010
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(1):62-71.
Vol 49, No 1 (2011)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2011-04-19
Abstract
In rats with a DHT deficiency induced by finasteride, morphological changes in the seminiferous
epithelium were observed. The structural alterations were manifested by the premature germ cells sloughing
into the lumen of seminiferous tubules. The etiology of this disorder could be connected with intercellular
junctions disintegration. We showed in the immunohistochemical study the changes in expression of some proteins
building tight and adherens junctions. The depression of N-cadherin, β-catenin and occludin immunoexpressions
could be the reason for the release of immature germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. However,
the observed increase of the immunohistochemical reaction intensity of vinculin, one of the cadherin/catenin
complex regulators, could be insufficient to maintain the proper function of adherens junctions. The hormonal
imbalance appears to influence the pattern of expression of junctional proteins in the seminiferous epithelium.
It could lead to untimely germ cells sloughing, and ultimately could impair fertility. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
2011, Vol. 49, No. 1, 62–71)
Abstract
In rats with a DHT deficiency induced by finasteride, morphological changes in the seminiferous
epithelium were observed. The structural alterations were manifested by the premature germ cells sloughing
into the lumen of seminiferous tubules. The etiology of this disorder could be connected with intercellular
junctions disintegration. We showed in the immunohistochemical study the changes in expression of some proteins
building tight and adherens junctions. The depression of N-cadherin, β-catenin and occludin immunoexpressions
could be the reason for the release of immature germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. However,
the observed increase of the immunohistochemical reaction intensity of vinculin, one of the cadherin/catenin
complex regulators, could be insufficient to maintain the proper function of adherens junctions. The hormonal
imbalance appears to influence the pattern of expression of junctional proteins in the seminiferous epithelium.
It could lead to untimely germ cells sloughing, and ultimately could impair fertility. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
2011, Vol. 49, No. 1, 62–71)
Keywords
DHT-deficiency; intercellular junctions; testis; rat
Title
DHT deficiency perturbs the integrity of the rat seminiferous epithelium by disrupting tight and adherens junctions
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 49, No 1 (2011)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
62-71
Published online
2011-04-19
Page views
2085
Article views/downloads
2068
DOI
10.5603/FHC.2011.0010
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(1):62-71.
Keywords
DHT-deficiency
intercellular junctions
testis
rat
Authors
Agnieszka Kolasa
Mariola Marchlewicz
Lidia Wenda-Różewicka
Barbara Wiszniewska