Loading...
Publication
Maternal undernutrition does not alter Sertoli cell numbers or the expression of key developmental markers in the mid-gestation ovine fetal testis
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.87 MB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of maternal undernutrition on ovine fetal testis
morphology and expression of relevant histological indicators. Maternal undernutrition, in sheep, has been
reported, previously, to alter fetal ovary development, as indicated by delayed folliculogenesis and the altered
expression of ovarian apoptosis-regulating gene products, at day 110 of gestation. It is not known whether or not
maternal undernutrition alters the same gene products in the day 110 fetal testis.
Design and methods: Mature Scottish Blackface ewes were fed either 100% (Control; C) or 50% (low; L) of
estimated metabolisable energy requirements of a pregnant ewe, from mating to day 110 of gestation. All
pregnant ewes were euthanized at day 110 and a sub-set of male fetuses was randomly selected (6 C and 9 L) for
histology studies designed to address the effect of nutritional state on several indices of testis development. Sertoli
cell numbers were measured using a stereological method and Ki67 (cell proliferation index), Bax (pro-apoptosis),
Mcl-1 (anti-apoptosis), SCF and c-kit ligand (development and apoptosis) gene expression was measured in Bouinsfixed
fetal testis using immunohistochemistry.
Results: No significant differences were observed in numbers of Sertoli cells or testicular Ki67 positive cells. The
latter were localised to the testicular cords and interstitium. Bax and Mcl-1 were localised specifically to the germ
cells whereas c-kit was localised to both the cords and interstitium. SCF staining was very sparse. No treatment
effects were observed for any of the markers examined.
Conclusions: These data suggest that, unlike in the fetal ovary, maternal undernutrition for the first 110 days of
gestation affects neither the morphology of the fetal testis nor the expression of gene products which regulate
apoptosis. It is postulated that the effects of fetal undernutrition on testis function may be expressed through
hypothalamic-pituitary changes.
Description
DOI:10.1186/1477-5751-12-2
Keywords
Testis Sertoli Undernutrition Fetal Sheep Gonad
Citation
ANDRDADE, L.P. [et al.] (2013) - Maternal undernutrition does not alter Sertoli cell numbers or the expression of key developmental markers in the mid-gestation ovine fetal testis. Journal of Negative Results in Bio-Medicine. 12:2, p. 2-8.