Connexin (Cx) involves in the regulation of various
physiological functions of tissue by forming a channel, a gap junction which
allows direct cell-cell communication, between adjacent cells. The effect of a
single subcutaneous treatment of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at
the weaning age on the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult
caput epididymis was evaluated in this research. Using quantitative real-time
PCR analysis, a low-dose of EB [0.015 μg/kg body weight (BW)] caused significant
decreases of Cx30.3, Cx32,
Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA
levels and no change of Cx26, Cx31,
Cx31.1, Cx37 transcript levels. The
treatment of a high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg BW) resulted in reduced expression of
Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx43, and
Cx45 but increased expression of Cx37 and
Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms
examined, except Cx31, was significantly increased by the
treatment of a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg BW). However, the treatment of a
high-dose Flu (5 mg/kg BW) led significant expressional suppression of
Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1,
Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and
Cx45 but an increase of Cx37 transcript
level. With the comparison of previous findings, the expression of
Cx isoforms in the adult epididymis after the exposure to
EB or Flu is likely differentially regulated in regional-specific and/or exposed
postnatal age-specific manner.