骨桥蛋白在雄性小鼠生殖系统中的表达及意义

Expression and Potential Role of Osteopontin in the Testis,Epididymis and Epididymal Sperm of Mouse

目的:检测骨桥蛋白(OPN)在小鼠睾丸、附睾、精子中的表达,探讨其意义。方法:用免疫组织化学方法检测OPN在正常小鼠睾丸及附睾中的表达情况,免疫细胞荧光法检测OPN在小鼠精子中的表达情况,分析OPN与雄性小鼠生殖能力的关系。结果:OPN在小鼠睾丸、附睾组织及精子上均具有特征性表达。在睾丸中,OPN表达于Sertoli细胞、Leydig细胞以及各级生精细胞,尤其是精原细胞、精子细胞和精子的胞质中;附睾内,OPN的表达主要见于各段上皮主细胞胞质中,部分基细胞、亮细胞中也可见到免疫阳性反应。并且附睾头部的免疫阳性染色相对较弱;免疫荧光染色则将OPN定位于附睾尾精子的顶体帽区及鞭毛。结论:小鼠睾丸、附睾及精子中均存在OPN的特异性表达,OPN可能参与精子的发生及成熟过程,并与精子的活力和受精能力密切相关。

Objective： To detect the expression of osteopontin （OPN） in mouse testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm, and to explore its potential role in male mouse reproductive system. Methods： Immunohistochemical staining was used for observing OPN expression of both the testis and epi- didym, and cyto-immunofluorescent staining was adopted for detection of sperm. Results： OPN was present in mouse testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm specifically. In testis, OPN ex- pressed diffusely in spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells, and interstitial Leydig cells. In epididymis, expression of OPN was mainly within the cytoplasma of epididymal epithelial principal cells of each segment, as well as in some basal cells and clear cells, and the immunostaining in the caput was comparatively weak. Finally, OPN was localized in the acrosome of sperm head, as well as sperm flagellum by cyto-immunofluorescence staining technique. Conclusion： OPN expression in mouse testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm is widespread and specific, which suggest OPN is very likely involved in the process of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, and influences the sperm motility and fertilization ability.