Volume 35, Issue 1 pp. 24-31

Tissue kallikrein and bradykinin B2 receptors in the reproductive tract of the male rat

T. K. Monsees

Corresponding Author

T. K. Monsees

Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Gafikystr. 14, 35385 Giessen, Germany. Tel.: +49 641 99 43372; fax:+49 641 99 43379; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
S. Blöcher

S. Blöcher

Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Giessen, Germany

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C. Loddo

C. Loddo

Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

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K. Steger

K. Steger

Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Giessen, Germany

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W.-B. Schill

W.-B. Schill

Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

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First published: 24 April 2009
Citations: 1

Abstract

Summary. The setting of a local tissue kallikrein kinin system (tKKS) within the reproductive organs of the male rat was investigated by analysing bradykinin subtype 2 receptor (B2R) gene expression and cellular distribution of B2R protein and the kinin-liberating protease tissue kallikrein (tK). Reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction showed B2R expression in testis, epididymis and prostate from prepubertal and sexually mature rats. In mature testis, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry localized B2R mRNA and protein besides endothelial cells of blood vessels exclusively on pachytene spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids. B2R expression within the seminiferous tubules was found to be dependent on the stage of the spermatogenic cycle. In prepubertal rat testis, B2R mRNA and protein were additionally located in peritubular cells. In the testis, specific staining for tK occurred in addition to endothelial cells of blood vessels on the acrosomal cap of round and elongated spermatids. This immunostaining was also stage-dependent. In the epididymis, tK was detected on epithelial cells near the apical surface. The stage-dependent specific expression of tK and bradykinin B2Rs in developing germ cells and peritubular cells suggests a potential role of the tKKS in the local regulation of spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubule function.

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