Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid receptors in foetal gonads of domestic cat—Sex similarities and differences

Abstract

ContentsFoetal gonads already produce steroid hormones and by this influence the further development of external and internal genitalia as well as of the brain. Beside this, foetal gonads themselves can be influenced by foetal or maternal hormones. The time course of foetal gonadal development can differ between species. As knowledge on processes in domestic cats is very limited, the steroidogenic enzyme expressions as well as these of steroid receptors were analysed in foetal gonads of domestic cats. We investigated a period from beginning of the second half of pregnancy to the beginning of the third trimester; a phase, where also gonadal development proceeds. The mRNA expression of most of the steroidogenic enzymes was remarkably higher in male gonads compared to female ones on all analysed days. The enzyme mRNA expression in female gonads shows a tendency for an increase towards the beginning of the third trimester, except that of aromatase gene CYP19A1-it shows the opposite trend.CYP19A1 was detectable just in female gonads, indicating that only female foetal gonads are capable of producing oestrogens. Gene expressions of genomically and nongenomically acting steroid receptors for progesterone, androgen and oestrogen reception were observed in gonads of both genders. Slightly higher expressions of some receptors were detected in female compared to male gonads; only for the nongenomically oestrogen receptor GPER, we observed the opposite. The protein staining for progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) exposed a potential function of it on steroid-producing cell and/or cells that suppose early oogenesis.

Molecular phenotyping of domestic cat (Felis catus) testicular cells across postnatal development – A model for wild felids

“…CYP17A1 is involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone and catalysers the 17-α-hydroxylation and the 17,20-lyase reaction for the conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, respectively [ 32 , 33 ]. Detection of transcripts encoding CYP17A1 is possible by quantitative real-time PCR in testes of foetal mice by 12.5 days post coitum [ 26 ], foetal human testes at 8–10 gestational weeks [ 34 ] and foetal testis of domestic cat at day 34 of pregnancy and later [ 35 ]. Confirming our prior observations [ 20 ], robust labelling for the CYP17A1 steroidogenic enzyme was detected on interstitial Leydig cells and found at all development phases of postnatal domestic cat testes.…”

Expression and localisation of RXFP3 in human spermatozoa and impact of INSL7 on sperm functions

“…They assumed that INSL7 had a basic role in spermatozoa differentiation due to its increased expression in adult testes. Increased expression of RXFP3 in the seminiferous tubules rather than in the interstitial tissue of adult testis, the potential correlation between expressions of INSL7 and RXFP3 , and numbers of haploid cells have supported the hypothesis that it is involved in spermatogenesis (Braun & Jewgenow, ).…”