Abstract
Objective: Insulin-3 (Insl3) and its only receptor LGR8 (aka RXFP2) are the key mediators in testicular descent. We sought to characterize LGR8 localization in the reproduction system of Insl3 knockout mice to better understand infertility seen in these mice. Methods: IP, Western blot and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to detect the expression of LGR8 protein in the reproduction system of Insl3 knockout mice. Results: LGR8 was found to be expressed in the testis, gubernaculum, epididymis and vas deferens in wildtype mice. The expression of LGR8 varied in different organs, and it was significantly higher in the testis of wildtype mice than in that of Insl3 knockout mice (P<0.05). Conclusion: LGR8 is expressed in the reproduction system of male mice, indicating that Insl3-LGR8 system may play an important role in male infertility.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 172-175 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Medical Sciences) |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Mar 2012 |
Keywords
- Cryptorchidism
- Insulin-3
- Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 8 (LGR8)
- Male infertility diseases
- Testicular descent
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Biochemistry