Postnatal changes in testicular development and androgen receptors immunolocalization in D’Man ram lambs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize testicular development in D’Man ram lambs, focusing primarily on androgen receptors (ARs) immunolocalization in the adenohypophysis and testis that is not still known in the D’Man ram lamb. Lambs (n = 12) were divided into four groups (three lambs per group). Adenohypophysis and testis were fixed and paraffin embedded; cross-section (3 μm) were stained and evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Testis weight increased at a greater rate between two and five months after birth, which was associated with remarkable changes in testicular histology, including significant increases in the diameter of seminiferous tubules. Spermatogenesis started between three and five months after birth; lumen and elongated spermatids were observed for the first time in three and four months-old animals respectively. ARs detected with immunohistochemistry were located in the nuclei and cytoplasm of adenohypophysis cells, and only in nuclei of testis cells (Leydig, Sertoli, peritubular myoid and germ cells).