Changes in the expression of P‐cadherin in the normal, cryptorchid and busulphan‐treated rat testis

Abstract

Adhesion between Sertoli cells and germ cells is important for spermatogenesis. Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of P-cadherin in unilaterally cryptorchid and busulphan-treated rat testes using immunohistochemistry. The pattern of expression of P-cadherin in the seminiferous epithelium changed with the stage of the seminiferous epithelium. The membranes of round spermatids and membranes and cytoplasm of spermatocytes were strongly positive. Our experiments revealed that busulphan treatment (2 doses - 10 mg/kg of body weight - 21 days apart) and cryptorchism led to destructive changes in the structure of seminiferous tubules, together with the decrease in P-cadherin expression. The expression of P-cadherin disappeared in the spermatids segregated from the epithelium while segregated spermatocytes remained still positive for P-cadherin during the 3- to 11-day cryptorchid period. In busulphan-treated animals, the expression of P-cadherin was dependent on the presence or absence of the spermatocytes and spermatids in the tubules. Strong positivity for P-cadherin was observed in the spermatocytes that re-appeared in the regenerating seminiferous epithelium. We suggest that P-cadherin participates in the architecture of adherens junctions in testis, plays an important role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis and that cryptorchism and busulphan treatment lead to adherens junction disintegration.

Cadherin and vimentin immunoexpression in the testis of normal and induced infertility models of albino rats

“…This is concomitant with the previous results who also detected decreased cadherin immunoexpression in testis of cryptorchid rats up to complete absence 22 days after cryptorchidism. P-cadherin is involved in the Sertoli cell--spermatocyte and Sertoli cell-spermatid adhesion in adult rat testis and the sloughing of germ cells in the cryptorchid testes is probably associated with injury of AJs structure and function [20]. Comparable to our findings cadherin immunoreaction was weakly visible in dihydrotestosterone deficient rats after finasteride treatment.…”

“…During gametogenesis, Sertoli cells provide developing germ cells with essential structural support via adhesion junctions and nutritive support via secreted factors [14]. Both surgically induced Cx and administration of toxic compounds enable the study of adhesion marker expression during impaired spermatogenesis [20].…”

“…Moreover, this elevated temperature was also shown to cause degenerative changes both in Sertoli and germ cells and has also been associated with decreased sperm motility [21]. In addition, it was shown that Cx lead to AJs disintegration [20]. Cx in man usually leads to clinical infertility due to severe decrease in sperm production.…”

“…However, only few studies were concerned with the expression and localisation of P-cadherin protein in adult rat testis, especially during impaired spermatogenesis [15,20]. P-cadherin was detected in rat Sertoli cell culture [27] and reported to participate in the architecture of AJs in the testis and to play an important role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis [20].…”

“…Adhesion between Sertoli cells and germ cells is thought to be crucial for spermatogenesis. The dynamic nature of AJs in the testis permits the passage of developing germ cells from the basal to the adluminal compartment during spermatogenesis, as well as contribute to the orientation, positioning and correct shape of sperms [20].…”