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School of Anatomy & Human Biology and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (B.J.W., S.H.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Baker Medical Research Institute (Z.S.K.), Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; and Concept Fertility Centre (P.J.B.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Brendan Waddell, School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. E-mail: bwaddell{at}anhb.uwa.edu.au
The action of glucocorticoids in target tissues is dependent on the local expression of glucocorticoid receptors and two 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD) enzymes, 11ß-HSD1 and 11ß-HSD2, which interconvert active and inactive glucocorticoids. This study examined expression of the 11ß-HSD enzymes in the male reproductive tract of the adult rat. 11ß-HSD1 was immunolocalized to the apical region of principal epithelial cells of the caput epididymis, with the less numerous clear cells devoid of signal. Epididymal 11ß-HSD1 expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis, with immunoreactive species identified at 34 kDa (the expected size for 11ß-HSD1) and at approximately 48 kDa. 11ß-HSD bioactivity was readily detectable in the epididymis, with 11-oxoreductase activity clearly the favored reaction (as observed in liver), consistent with 11ß-HSD1 expression. The epithelium of the vas deferens, seminal vesicle, and penile urethra were also immunopositive for 11ß-HSD1, as were smooth muscle cells of the vas deferens and penile blood vessels. 11ß-HSD2 was also immunolocalized to the epididymal epithelium, but its distribution was complementary to that of 11ß-HSD1 (i.e. clear cells showing intense 11ß-HSD2 staining but principal cells devoid of signal). 11ß-HSD2 was also present in the corpora cavernosa of the penis but not in other tissues. In conclusion, the differential expression of 11ß-HSD1 and 11ß-HSD2 throughout the male reproductive tract suggests that these enzymes locally modulate glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid actions, particularly in the epididymis and penile vasculature.
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