Disruption of androgen signaling during puberty affects Notch pathway in rat seminiferous epithelium.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Onset of spermatogenesis at puberty is critically dependent on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and testosterone production by Leydig cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether activation of Notch receptors and expression of Notch ligands and effector genes in rat seminiferous epithelium are controlled by androgen signaling during puberty. METHODS:Peripubertal (5-week-old) Wistar rats received injections of flutamide (50?mg/kg bw) daily for 7 days to reduce androgen receptor (AR) signaling or a single injection of ethanedimethane sulphonate (EDS; 75?mg/kg bw) to reduce testosterone production. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively, protein distribution by immunohistochemistry, and steroid hormone concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test or by Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test. RESULTS:In both experimental models changes of a similar nature in the expression of Notch pathway components were found. Androgen deprivation caused the reduction of mRNA and protein expression of DLL4 ligand, activated forms of Notch1 and Notch2 receptors and HES1 and HEY1 effector genes (p?

SUBMITTER: Kaminska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7161021 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature