open access

Vol 49, No 1 (2011)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2011-04-19
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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.

open access

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)
Get Citation

Keywords

DHT-deficiency; intercellular junctions; testis; rat

About this article
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

2046

Article views/downloads

2037

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

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