Localization of lactoferrin in the male reproductive tract

Abstract

The immunohistochemical localization of lactoferrin in the normal human prostate, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, epididymis and testis was studied using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method at the light and electron microscopical level. Lactoferrin immunoreactivity was localized in the glandular epithelial cells and granulocytes in the prostate and seminal vesicle. In the prostate, lactoferrin showed an uneven distribution; some of the glands contained exclusively positive cells and others were completely lactoferrin negative, while the rest contained scattered positive cells. The seminal vesicles were divided into three segments, and their lactoferrin content varied significantly although it was always epithelial. The ductus deferens, epididymis and testis contained no lactoferrin. In conclusion, lactoferrin was found in the prostate and seminal vesicles, but not in the testis.

The Coming of Age of the Epididymis

“…Several proteins are secreted in both the caput and corpus epididymidis, for instance a retinol acid binding protein (RABP, equivalent to protein B/C, Ong et Chytil, 1988) and lactoferrin (Jin et al, 1997). In humans, lactoferrin is detected in the prostate and seminal vesicles, while the testis, epididymis and vas deferens do not seem to express this protein (Wichmann et al, 1989). Some proteins secreted more distally (corpus and cauda epididymidis) include HE4 (extracellular proteinase inhibitor, Kirchhoff et al, 1991), HE5 (cdw52, Pera et al, 1997) and GPX3 (Schwaab et al, 1998).…”

Seminal Plasma Lactoferrin but Not Transferrin Reflects Gonadal Function in Dogs

“…The origin of seminal lactoferrin in dogs has not yet been determined. If canine lactoferrin is secreted mainly in the epididymis as in mice [27], swine [16] and horses [7] or in the prostate and seminal vesicles as in humans [26], it is reasonable to consider that there is a factor that relates lactoferrin secretion to spermatogenesis.…”

“…Lactoferrin has been identified in the seminal plasma of humans [10,19], swine [21] and horses [14]. Lactoferrin seems to be synthesized mainly in the epididymis of mice [27], swine [16] and horses [7], and it is present in the prostate and seminal vesicles, but not in the epididymis, of humans [26]. The physiological role of lactoferrin in the male reproductive tract remains unclear, although lactoferrin has been identified as the sperm-coating antigen in humans [10] and swine [16,21].…”

Purification and Quantification of Lactoferrin in Equine Seminal Plasma.

“…In mice, the lactoferrin concentration is much higher in the vas deferens and epididymis than in the testis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and coagulating gland [20]. In contrast, lactoferrin is secreted by the seminal vesicle and prostate, but not by the testis, ductus deferens, or epididymis in humans [19].…”