The site of aromatization in the mouse cryptorchid testis

• Authors: M. Kotula-Balak , J. Wojciechowska , B. Bilinska
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Using the mouse cryptorchid model, degenerations of germ cells were observed as well as a reduced size of seminiferous tubules, while the area of the interstitial tissue increased. Aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens into oestrogens, was immunolocalized in Leydig cells and in germ cells from both scrotal and abdominal testes, and in Sertoli cells only in a control testis. In the cryptorchid testis, aromatase was strongly expressed in a few tubules, including those spermatids that were still present. Other cells inside the tubules were negative for aromatase. In both testes, oestrogen receptors a were expressed only in Leydig cells. Strong aromatase expression in germ cells indicates an additional source of oestrogens in the testis besides the interstitial tissue.

Keywords

EN

AROMATASE; CRYPTORCHIDISM; ESTROGEN; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; MOUSE; RECEPTOR

Discipline

• ZOOLOGY: ZOOLOGY

• Publisher: Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Folia Biologica
• Year: 2001
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 3-4
• Pages: 279-283

Contributors

author

M. Kotula-Balak

author

J. Wojciechowska

author

B. Bilinska

• Document Type: ARTICLE
• Publication order reference: B. Bilinska, Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology & Tissue Culture, Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, R. Ingardena 6, 30-060 Krakow, Poland