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Endocrinology Vol. 140, No. 2 979-986
Copyright © 1999 by The Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Differential Localization of Inhibin Subunit Proteins in the Ovine Testis during Fetal Gonadal Development1

Renea A. Jarred, Belinda Cancilla, Michelle Richards, Nigel P. Groome, Ken P. McNatty and Gail P. Risbridger

Institute of Reproduction and Development (R.A.J., B.C., M.R., G.P.R.), Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; School of Biological and Molecular Sciences (N.P.G.), Oxford Brooks University, Headington, Oxford, OX3 OBP, United Kingdom; and AgResearch (K.P.M.), Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. G. P. Risbridger, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash Medical Centre, Level 3, Block E, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168. E-mail: gail.risbridger{at}med.monash.edu.au

Inhibins and activins are dimeric proteins that are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in a number of systems and have previously been detected in fetal testes of many species. This study used immunohistochemistry to examine the localization of inhibin {alpha}-, ßA-, and ßB- subunits during ovine testicular development from days 40–135 of gestation. Localization of inhibin ßA- and ßB-subunit messenger RNAs was confirmed by in situ hybridization.

The results showed that there was differential localization of inhibin {alpha}-, ßA-, and ßB-subunits to specific cells in the ovine fetal testis from 40 days of gestation. All three inhibin subunits were present in Sertoli cells throughout gestation, whereas the rete epithelium and gonocytes did not express inhibin {alpha}-subunit. These data suggest that the fetal Sertoli cells have the capacity to produce all forms of inhibins and activins, i.e. inhibin A and B, and activins A, AB, and B, whereas the rete testis epithelial cells can only synthesize activin A. In the interstitium, the fetal Leydig cells expressed all three inhibin subunits, but this was restricted to the period between 40 and 90 days of gestation. Thereafter, inhibin {alpha}-subunit immunoreactivity was not observed in fetal Leydig cells, which suggests that only activin ligands are produced by Leydig cells during late gestation.

Collectively, the data demonstrate that fetal ovine testes have the potential to produce the full repertoire of inhibins and activins from very early in testicular differentiation. The distinct and restricted localization of the various subunits to specific cells suggests that specific dimeric proteins have particular roles in the development and function of the fetal testis.




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