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- Title
Immunolocalization of α<sub>1A</sub>-adrenoceptors in rat and human epididymis.
- Authors
Queiróz, Daniel Barboza Cava; Porto, Catarina S.; Grossman, Gail; Petrusz, Peter; Avellar, Maria Christina W.
- Abstract
Immunohistochemistry was conducted to analyze the cellular localization of α1A-adrenoceptors along rat and human epididymis. ADR-A, a polyclonal antibody that recognizes the specific C-terminal region of α1A-adrenoceptors, immunostained this adrenoceptor subtype in smooth muscle cells surrounding the epididymal tubules and interstitial blood vessels and in subpopulations of epithelial cells from adult rat and human caput and cauda epididymidis. The same cell types from rat epididymidis were immunostained by ADR-1, a polyclonal antibody that recognizes a common region of the three α1-adrenoceptor subtypes, α1A, α1B, and α1D. Immunostaining with both antibodies was also conducted in adult rat and human vas deferens and seminal vesicle used as positive controls because of the abundance of α1A-adrenoceptors in these tissues. ADR-A- and ADR-1-positive immunostaining was differentially distributed depending on the antibody, method of tissue fixation (Bouin-fixed and fresh frozen tissues), species (rat and human), tissue (caput and cauda epididymidis), and age (immature and adult rats) analyzed. This is the first report immunolocalizing α1A-adrenoceptor along rat and human epididymis. The presence of this adrenoceptor subtype in epididymal smooth muscle and epithelial cells indicates their contribution to smooth muscle contractile responses and a possible role in the absorptive and/or secretory activities of the epithelium lining the epididymal duct. Taken together, our results should contribute to a better understanding of the physiological role of α1-adrenoceptors in the epididymidis and the importance of the sympathetic nervous system for male (in)fertility.
- Subjects
EPIDIDYMIS; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; ADRENERGIC receptors; LABORATORY rats; SMOOTH muscle
- Publication
Cell & Tissue Research, 2008, Vol 332, Issue 3, p509
- ISSN
0302-766X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00441-008-0576-x