Distribution Pattern of F-Actin, Vimentin and Alpha-Tubulin in the Bovine Testis during Postnatal Development

Abstract

The distribution of F-actin, vimentin and α-tubulin was studied immunohistochemically in bovine seminiferous and straight testicular tubules, rete testis and intertubular tissue during postnatal development. Sites of antigenicity were detected by ABC immunoperoxidase technique and visualized by metal-enhanced deposition of diaminobenzidine. Within the seminiferous epithelium, F-actin appears at 20 weeks and is found in adult Sertoli cells as part of specialized cell contacts. In peritubular cells, F-actin increases gradually from 4 to 30 weeks when the adult concentration is achieved. After 20 weeks, subepithelial fibro-blasts of the mediastinum testis start to express F-actin and at 52 weeks, a thick layer of positive myofibroblasts is seen beneath the epithelia of rete testis and straight testicular tubules. Testicular macrophages and light intercalated cells (LIC) are also characteristically decorated following F-actin immunoreaction. Vimentin is localized in perinuclear position in pre-Sertoli cells of 4-20 weeks and in adult Sertoli cells. During the period of transformation from pre-Sertoli to Sertoli cells, the perinuclear vimentin coat is absent. The epithelia of rete testis and straight tubules exhibit a strong vimentin immunoreaction in their basal parts. This specific pattern does not change from 4 weeks to adulthood. α-Tubulin is absent in 4-week-old seminiferous tubules. At 8 weeks, the perinuclear area of pre-Sertoli cells reacts positive. The α-tubulin content increases in these cells continuously, and from 30 weeks on nearly the entire supranuclear cytoplasm of Sertoli cells is heavily decorated. The epithelial of rete and straight tubules display a growing number of α-tubulin-positive cells from 4 to 40 weeks. From then on, nearly all epithelial cells contain α-tubulin, particularly in a narrow zone beneath their lateral cell borders.

Postnatal Developmental Changes in Immunohistochemical Localization of .ALPHA.-Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA) and Vimentin in Bovine Testes

“…Our observations of vimentin distribution from day-0 to 5 months of age and in mature bulls are in agreement with the previous studies in the bovine testis [10,15]. Similarly, as reported in rhesus monkeys [25] and in Japanese black bears [23], we have localized vimentin in a few interstitial cells and vascular walls of the bovine testes.…”

“…O u r f i n d i n g o f S e r t o l i c e l l p e r i n u c l e a r localization of the vimentin is consistent with previous reports in the rhesus monkey [25], rat [9,11,26], human [11,27,28], South American camelids [29], sheep [5], and bull [15]. Our observations of vimentin distribution from day-0 to 5 months of age and in mature bulls are in agreement with the previous studies in the bovine testis [10,15].…”

“…However, changes in the structural arrangement of peritubular actin filaments from circular to longitudinal have been reported in the rat testis in r e l a t i o n t o t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f i n i t i a l spermatogenesis [6]. It has also been reported that structural actin (F-actin) in the bovine testis appears at around 4 weeks of age in peritubular cells [15]. We speculate that the α-SMA isomer appears relatively late.…”

“…Increases in Sertoli cell vimentin in the prepubertal ovine testis [5] and changes of its distribution area during postnatal development in rats [11] have indicated vimentin activity during postnatal development. Although perinuclear localization of vimentin has been demonstrated in the pre-Sertoli and adult Sertoli cells of the bovine testis [10,15], its distribution and role during pubertal development are not yet understood. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the postnatal developmental changes in localization of α-SMA and vimentin in the bovine testis and to discuss their functional relationships.…”

Immunohistochemistry of the cytoskeleton in the excurrent ducts of the testis in birds of the Galloanserae monophyly

“…They remain obvious ultrastructurally in the cell in sexually quiescent and inactive male ducks (Aire 2002). In mammals, Wrobel et al (1995) have demonstrated actin MF in mononuclear (lymphocyte and macrophage) cells within the epithelium of the bovine tubuli recti (TR) and RET but not in the epithelial cells themselves. In certain mammals, e.g.…”