Modified expression of testicular gap-junction connexin 43 during normal spermatogenic cycle and in altered spermatogenesis

Batias, Catherine; Defamie, Norah; Lablack, Abdesselam; Thépot, Dominique; Fénichel, Patrick; Segretain, Dominique; Pointis, Georges

doi:10.1007/s004419900076

Cited by 84 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…In the seminiferous tubules of human and rodent testes, this protein is distributed mainly in the basal compartment [Batias et al 1999;Risley et al 1992;Steger et al 1999]. In our study, we found that rats had undescended testes in the Flu-exposed group on PD20, but there was no difference in the level of Cx43 protein expression between rats with undescended and descended testes.…”

Section: Pd20 Are Shown Incontrasting

confidence: 37%

Connexin 43 expression in Sprague-Dawley rat seminiferous epithelium afterin uteroexposure to flutamide

Cai

Zhao

et al. 2014

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

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This study explored the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the testes of prepubertal SpragueDawley (SD) rats following in utero flutamide (Flu) exposure. Connexins constitute the major protein type in gap junctions. Connexin 43, the most prominent connexin family member expressed by testes, is localized at the base of seminiferous tubules in humans and rodents, and may be involved in fertility. Flutamide was injected subcutaneously into pregnant SD rats on gestational days 12-21 (25 mg/kg/day). Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR was used to investigate the distribution and the expression of Cx43 protein and mRNA in the testis on postnatal day 20 (PD20). Following Flu-exposure, Cx43 was observed between Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules. On PD20, no Cx43 protein was expressed by the spermatogonial cell layer of the seminiferous tubules in the controls, but was observed in the Flu-exposed group. Western blotting showed that Cx43 was expressed at significantly lower levels in Flu-exposed testes than controls on PD20 (p50.001). On PD20, levels of Cx43 mRNA in undescended Flu-exposed testes were significantly lower than in controls (p50.05) and descended Flu-exposed testes (p50.01). After Flu-exposure in the rat embryonic period, Cx43 mRNA and protein expression were downregulated, and its distribution in the seminiferous tubules was abnormal.

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Section: Pd20 Are Shown Incontrasting

confidence: 37%

Connexin 43 expression in Sprague-Dawley rat seminiferous epithelium afterin uteroexposure to flutamide

Cai

Zhao

et al. 2014

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

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“…Various evidences indicate that Cx43 may be critical for control of spermatogenesis (Risley et al, 1992, Pelletier, 1996, Batias et al, 1999, Steger et al, 1999, BravoMoreno et al, 2001, Plumb et al, 2001. Data shown in the present study support the hypothesis that Cx43 plays other roles in gonadal development besides control of spermatogenesis because, by using highly specific antibodies (Bravo Moreno et al, 2001), it was demonstrated that (1) at 11.5 dpc, Cx43 mediates heterocellular contacts between precursor germ cells, identified with GCNA1 antibodies, and precursors of somatic cells, presumably preSertoli cells; (2) after gonad sexual differentiation, there are Cx43-mediated contacts between germinal and Sertoli cells that remain throughout embryonic life; and (3) Cx43 is expressed between neighboring Sertoli cells and between adjacent interstitial Leydig cells from the earliest stage of testicular differentiation at 12.5 dpc and that, in both cell types, its expression increases during fetal life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several lines of evidence indicate that, among these connexins, Cx43 may be critical for gonadal development and adequate control of fertility. Cx43 is the only connexin known to be expressed in adult Leydig cells, by using immunologic (Risley et al, 1992;Pérez-Armendariz et al, 1994;Tan et al, 1996, Mok et al, 1999, Steger et al, 1999Batias et al, 1999) and electrophysiological studies (Pérez-Armendariz et al, 1994. In the mouse, its expression during postnatal development is modulated in a biphasic manner and is correlated with changes in intratesticular testosterone content (Bravo Moreno et al, 2001).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the mouse, its expression during postnatal development is modulated in a biphasic manner and is correlated with changes in intratesticular testosterone content (Bravo Moreno et al, 2001). Alterations in spermatogenesis in both human (Steger et al, 1999) and mouse have been found to be associated with a decrease in Cx43 expression in adult Sertoli cells (Batias et al, 1999). Transgenic knock out (KO) mice for Cx31, Cx32, Cx40, Cx46, and Cx50 show apparent normal fertility , whereas Cx43-deficient mice (Reaume et al, 1995) show a severe decrease in germinal cell number during embryonic life (Juneja et al, 1999).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Developmental regulation of connexin 43 expression in fetal mouse testicular cells

Pérez-Armendáriz

Lamoyi²,

Mason

et al. 2001

Anat. Rec.

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Multiple connexins have been identified in testicular cells. Several lines of evidences indicate that, among them, connexin 43 (Cx43) may be unique for control of gonad development and spermatogenesis. To date, however, it is not known whether Cx43 is expressed in the fetal testis and what possible types of cellular interactions mediated by this connexin are critical to male fertility. In the present work, expression of Cx43 was investigated at various developmental ages in cryosections from mouse testis by using specific antibodies against Cx43. In serial or double-labeled sections, Cx43 localization was compared with immunocytochemical distribution of steroidogenic enzyme, 3␤-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3␤HSD), Mullerian inhibitory hormone (MIH), and germinal nuclear cell antigen (GCNA1), which are specific markers, respectively, of interstitial Leydig, Sertoli, and germinal cells. Sections were analyzed by fluorescence microcopy. We found that Cx43 immunofluorescence (IF) was uniformly distributed in the undifferentiated gonad at 11.5 days post coitus (dpc) and in cells of the mesonephric tubules. In the undifferentiated gonad, Cx43 was localized between primordial germ cells and somatic cells. At 12.5 dpc, when the gonad has undergone sexual differentiation, in the interstitium Cx43 was localized in Leydig cells and in the seminiferous cord it was localized between adjacent Sertoli cells. In Leydig and Sertoli cells, Cx43 labeling increased at 14.5, 16.5, and 18.5 dpc. From day 12.5 up to 18.5 dpc, Cx43 was also localized in cell borders between germinal and Sertoli cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that from the earliest stages of gonadal development, Cx43 is expressed in the principal cell types that participate in the control of male fertility. It also shows that Cx43 expression in Leydig and Sertoli cells increase during fetal life. Finally, it provides evidence that, throughout embryonic life, Cx43 forms gap junctions between Sertoli and germinal cells. Anat Rec 264: [237][238][239][240][241][242][243][244][245][246] 2001.

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“…Gap junctions between the different cell types establish additional communication pathways that are, in turn, subject to regulation by paracrine and endocrine factors (Risley, 2002). In the testis within the seminiferous tubules, there is strong expression of the protein connexin 43 that correlates with the stages of spermatogenesis (Risley et al, 1992;Batias et al, 1999;Defamie et al, 2001). This protein also co-localizes with the gap junctions of the Sertoli cell junctional complex (Risley et al, 1992;Pelletier, 1995).…”

Section: The Sertoli Cellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

et al. 2011

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In this article, we focus on the fundamental role of vitamin C transporters for the normal delivery of vitamin C to germ cells in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. We argue that the redox status within spermatozoa or in semen is partly responsible for the etiology of infertility. In this context, antioxidant defence plays a critical role in male fertility. Vitamin C, a micronutrient required for a wide variety of metabolic functions, has long been associated with male reproduction. Two systems for vitamin C transport have been described in mammals. Facilitative hexose transporters (GLUTs), with 14 known isoforms to date, GLUT1-GLUT14, transport the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) into the cells. Sodium ascorbic acid co-transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Sertoli cells control germ cell proliferation and differentiation through cell-cell communication and form the blood-testis barrier. Because the blood-testis barrier limits direct access of molecules from the plasma into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, one important question is the method by which germ cells obtain vitamin C. Some interesting results have thrown light on this matter. Expression of SVCT2 and some isoforms of GLUT transporters in the testis have previously been described. Our group has demonstrated that Sertoli cells express functionally active vitamin C transporters. Kinetic characteristics were described for both transport systems (SVCT and GLUT systems). Sertoli cells are able to transport both forms of vitamin C. These fi ndings are extremely relevant, because Sertoli cells may control the amount of vitamin C in the adluminal compartment, as well as regulating the availability of this metabolite throughout spermatogenesis.

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Modified expression of testicular gap-junction connexin 43 during normal spermatogenic cycle and in altered spermatogenesis

Cited by 84 publications

References 29 publications

Connexin 43 expression in Sprague-Dawley rat seminiferous epithelium afterin uteroexposure to flutamide

Connexin 43 expression in Sprague-Dawley rat seminiferous epithelium afterin uteroexposure to flutamide

Developmental regulation of connexin 43 expression in fetal mouse testicular cells

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

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