Anat Cell Biol.  2014 Sep;47(3):180-187. 10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.180.

Localization of S-100 proteins in the testis and epididymis of poultry and rabbits

• Abd-Elmaksoud A
• Shoeib MB
• Marei HE

• KMID: 1882593
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.180

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to demonstrate S-100 protein in the testis and epididymis of adult chickens, Sudani ducks, pigeons, and rabbits. This study may represent the first indication for the presence of S-100 in the male reproductive organs of these species and might therefore serve as a milestone for further reports. In the testis of chickens, pigeons and rabbits, intense S-100 was seen in Sertoli cells. S-100 was also seen in the endothelial lining of blood vessels in rabbit testis. On the contrary, no S-100 reaction was detected in the Sertoli cells of Sudani ducks. In epididymis, the localization of S-100 had varied according to species studied; it was seen in the basal cells (BC) of epididymal duct in duck, non-ciliated cells of the distal efferent ductules in pigeons and ciliated cells of the efferent ductules and BC of rabbit epididymis. Conversely, S-100 specific staining was not detected in the epithelial lining of the rooster and pigeon epididymal duct as well as the principal cells of the rabbit epididymis. In conclusion, the distribution of the S-100 proteins in the testis and epididymis might point out to its roles in the male reproduction.

Keyword

Poultry; Rabbits S-100; Testis and epididymis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blood Vessels
Chickens
Columbidae
Ducks
Epididymis*
Humans
Male
Poultry*
Rabbits*
Reproduction
S100 Proteins*
Sertoli Cells
Testis*
S100 Proteins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Localization of S-100 in the testis of rooster and ducks. (A, B) Positive S-100 staining was seen in the Sertoli cells (arrowheads) and negative staining was observed in the vasculature and interstitial tissue (arrows) of roosters. (C, D) Sertoli cells (arrowheads) and interstitial tissues (arrows) of ducks showed S-100 negative reaction. Scale bars=50 µm (A, C, D), 20 µm (B).

• 

  Fig. 2 Localization of S-100 in the testis of pigeons and rabbits. (A, B) Positive S-100 staining was seen in the Sertoli cells (arrowheads) of pigeons. (C, D) S-100 immunostaining was observed in Sertoli cells of rabbit testis (arrowheads). S-100 was also seen in the interstitial blood vessels (arrow). Scale bars=50 µm (A-C), 20 µm (D).

• 

  Fig. 3 Localization of S-100 in the epididymis of roosters and ducks. (A, B) S-100 specific staining was not detected throughout the whole length of the rooster epididymal duct. (C, D) Some basal cells (arrowhead) of epididymal duct (EPD) showed strong S-100 reaction in ducks. CD, connecting duct; DED, distal efferent ductules. Scale bars=20 µm (A, B), 50 µm (C, D).

• 

  Fig. 4 Localization of S-100 in the epididymis of pigeons and rabbits. (A, B) Non-ciliated cells (arrowheads) and interstitial blood vessels (thick arrow) showed S-100 positive reaction while no S-100 staining was detected in ciliated cells (arrows) of pigeon's distal efferent ductules (ED). (C) Positive S-100 ciliated cells (arrowheads) and negative non ciliated cells (thin arrows) were detected in the ED of the rabbit epididymis. Some positive cell in the peritubular tissues (thick arrows) were also seen. (D) S-100 was seen in some basal cells (arrowheads) of the rabbit epididymis. CD, connecting duct; DED, distal efferent ductules. Scale bar=50 µm (A), 20 µm (B, C), 100 µm (D).

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