RBP4基因在绵羊性成熟前后附睾中表达的研究

Expression of RBP 4 Gene in Epididymis Before and After Sexual Maturation in Sheep

试验旨在研究视黄醇结合蛋白4(retinol binding protein 4,RBP4)基因在绵羊性成熟前和性成熟后附睾中的表达水平,探讨其在绵羊生殖机能调控方面的作用。以绵羊性成熟前和性成熟后附睾为材料,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测RBP 4基因mRNA在绵羊性成熟前、后附睾中表达量的差异,采用免疫组化技术检测RBP4基因在绵羊性成熟前、后附睾头和附睾尾中蛋白的表达水平。结果显示,RBP4基因在绵羊附睾中性成熟前的表达量为1.3368,性成熟后的表达量为0.6450,虽然二者间的表达量差异不显著(P>0.05),但性成熟前的表达量高于性成熟后的表达量。RBP4蛋白在性成熟前、后附睾头上皮层、平滑肌层、组织间质中均有阳性表达,主要位于上皮细胞质、平滑肌细胞质;在附睾尾上皮层、组织间质中有阳性表达,主要位于上皮细胞质。推测RBP4基因可能与附睾主细胞分泌功能和附睾头处的收缩功能有关,预示RBP4可能参与附睾微环境的调控,有利于精子成熟、运动和储存。

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of retinol binding protein 4(RBP4)gene in epididymis of sheep before and after sexual maturity and its role in the regulation of reproductive function.The expression of RBP 4 gene mRNA in epididymis before and after sexual maturity was detected by Real-time quantitative PCR,and the expression of RBP 4 gene in epididymis head and epididymis tail before and after sexual maturity was detected by immunohistochemistry.The results showed that the expression level of RBP 4 gene was 1.3368 and 0.6450 before and after sexual maturity,respectively.Although there was no significant difference between them(P>0.05),the expression level before sexual maturity was higher than that after sexual maturity.RBP4 protein was expressed in the epididymal cortex,smooth muscle layer and interstitial tissue before and after sexual maturity,mainly in the epithelial cytoplasm and smooth muscle cytoplasm,and in the epididymal cortex and interstitial tissue,mainly in the epithelial cytoplasm.It was suggested that RBP4 gene might be related to the secretory function of epididymal main cells and the contractile function of epididymal head,indicating that RBP4 might participate in the regulation of epididymal microenvironment,which was conducive to sperm maturation,movement and storage.