Abstract
In order to clarify the cellular source and forms of bioactive inhibin in male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), circulating concentrations of inhibin A and B, and immunohistochemical localization of inhibin subunits in testis were studied. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were also measured. The present study showed that inhibin B was clearly detected in the plasma of male Japanese macaques. Moreover, concentrations of both inhibin B and testosterone during the breeding (mating) season were significantly higher than those of the non-breeding season. On the other hand, plasma inhibin A was detected neither during the breeding seasons nor during the non-breeding seasons. Positive stainings with α and βB subunit antibodies were observed in the Sertoli cells, however staining with βA subunit antibody was not observed in the testicular samples. These results indicate that inhibin B is the major circulating inhibin and probably secreting from Sertoli cells in male Japanese macaques.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Dr. G.D. Niswender, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo, USA for antisera against testosterone (GDN#250). This work was supported in part by a Cooperation Research Program of Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, a Grant-in-Aid for scientific research (No. 12836005, No. 13027246) to K. S., a Grant-in-Aid for COE Research (No. 10 COE 2005), the MEXT Grant-in-Aid for the 21st Century COE Program (A2 to Kyoto University) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture, Japan, and the Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from The Japan Science Society. All animal care and the experimental protocol were approved by Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Primates prepared by the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.
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Itoh, M., Kondo, M., Kojima, C. et al. Inhibin B is the major form of inhibin secreted from testes in male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Primates 44, 253–257 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-003-0041-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-003-0041-0