Abstract
Recent studies have shown that both proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides and a range of POMC gene transcripts are present in the testis. Previous immunocytochemical studies have reported immunoreactive (ir)-β-endorphin (EP) and ir-ACTH to be localized in the Leydig cells, and ir-NacEP in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. In the present study, we have further examined the hypothesis that testicular Leydig cells are the principal site of synthesis of these peptides, by determining the effects of the administration of the cytotoxic drug ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) which selectively destroys the Leydig cells of the testis. As expected, serum testosterone levels fell and serum FSH/LH levels increased within 3 days of EDS administration, returning to normal levels 4-8 weeks later. In contrast, the testicular content of POMC-derived peptides and POMC mRNA levels in these animals was not significantly altered throughout the experimental period. In addition, POMC mRNA was not detected in a purified Leydig cell preparation derived from adult male rats, and POMC-derived peptides were also undetectable in the media of a similar preparation following cell culture. These data suggest that in the adult the predominant site of rat POMC gene expression is in testicular interstitial cells other than Leydig cells.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 203-207 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1989 |
Keywords
- Ethane dimethane sulphonate
- Leydig/interstitial cells
- Proopiomelanocortin peptides/mRNA
Cite this
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Effect of ethane dimethane sulphonate on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and POMC-derived peptides in the rat testis. / Li, H.; Risbridger, G. P.; Funder, J. W.; Clements, J. A.
In: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Vol. 65, No. 1-2, 1989, p. 203-207.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of ethane dimethane sulphonate on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and POMC-derived peptides in the rat testis
AU - Li, H.
AU - Risbridger, G. P.
AU - Funder, J. W.
AU - Clements, J. A.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
N2 - Recent studies have shown that both proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides and a range of POMC gene transcripts are present in the testis. Previous immunocytochemical studies have reported immunoreactive (ir)-β-endorphin (EP) and ir-ACTH to be localized in the Leydig cells, and ir-NacEP in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. In the present study, we have further examined the hypothesis that testicular Leydig cells are the principal site of synthesis of these peptides, by determining the effects of the administration of the cytotoxic drug ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) which selectively destroys the Leydig cells of the testis. As expected, serum testosterone levels fell and serum FSH/LH levels increased within 3 days of EDS administration, returning to normal levels 4-8 weeks later. In contrast, the testicular content of POMC-derived peptides and POMC mRNA levels in these animals was not significantly altered throughout the experimental period. In addition, POMC mRNA was not detected in a purified Leydig cell preparation derived from adult male rats, and POMC-derived peptides were also undetectable in the media of a similar preparation following cell culture. These data suggest that in the adult the predominant site of rat POMC gene expression is in testicular interstitial cells other than Leydig cells.
AB - Recent studies have shown that both proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides and a range of POMC gene transcripts are present in the testis. Previous immunocytochemical studies have reported immunoreactive (ir)-β-endorphin (EP) and ir-ACTH to be localized in the Leydig cells, and ir-NacEP in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. In the present study, we have further examined the hypothesis that testicular Leydig cells are the principal site of synthesis of these peptides, by determining the effects of the administration of the cytotoxic drug ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) which selectively destroys the Leydig cells of the testis. As expected, serum testosterone levels fell and serum FSH/LH levels increased within 3 days of EDS administration, returning to normal levels 4-8 weeks later. In contrast, the testicular content of POMC-derived peptides and POMC mRNA levels in these animals was not significantly altered throughout the experimental period. In addition, POMC mRNA was not detected in a purified Leydig cell preparation derived from adult male rats, and POMC-derived peptides were also undetectable in the media of a similar preparation following cell culture. These data suggest that in the adult the predominant site of rat POMC gene expression is in testicular interstitial cells other than Leydig cells.
KW - Ethane dimethane sulphonate
KW - Leydig/interstitial cells
KW - Proopiomelanocortin peptides/mRNA
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0024381557&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0303-7207(89)90181-0
DO - 10.1016/0303-7207(89)90181-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 2550299
AN - SCOPUS:0024381557
VL - 65
SP - 203
EP - 207
JO - Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
JF - Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
SN - 0303-7207
IS - 1-2
ER -