Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Localization of COX-2 in the male reproductive tract during sexual maturation

  • Published:
InflammoPharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Prostaglandins (PGs) are shown to influence sperm motility, contractility of the smooth muscle layers surrounding the seminiferous tubules and growth of both the seminal vesicle and the ventral prostate. PGs are produced by two distinct isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX), including constitutively expressed COX-1 and inducible COX-2. To investigate the potential role of COX-2 in male reproductive tract maturation, we evaluated its expression in rats at pre-pubertal (14 days old), peri-pubertal (21, 28 and 35 days old) and post-pubertal (62 days old) stages. COX-2 was constitutively expressed in the initial segment of the epididymis, caput epididymidis and vas deferens at all stages of maturation. Its expression was mild in 14-day-old rats but its intensity markedly increased at 28 days and remained elevated afterwards. There was no COX-2 staining in the testis, rete testis, efferent ducts or cauda epididymidis. These data suggest that COX-2 derived PGs may be involved in the pubertal development of the epididymis, but not in the more apical regions of the excurrent duct system, including the rete testis and efferent ductules.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Charpigny, G., Reinaud, P., Tamby, J. P., et al. (1997). Cyclooxygenase-2 unlike cyclooxygenase-1 is highly expressed in ovine embryos during the implantation period, Biol. Reprod. 57, 1032–1040.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, B. L., Leung, P. S., Lo, A. C., et al. (2000). Androgen control of cyclooxygenase expression in the rat epididymis, Biol. Reprod. 63, 775–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinoy, N. J., Sharma, J. D., Seethalakshmi, L., et al. (1980). Effects of prostaglandins on histology of male reproductive organs and fertility in rats, Int. J. Fertil. 25, 267–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. S., Clin, M. J., Golimbu, M., et al. (1977). The effects of prostaglandins on sperm motility, Fertil. Steril. 28, 78–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herschman, H. R. (1991). Primary response genes induced by growth factors and tumor promoters, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 60, 281–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, K. N. M., Venturini, C. M., Bunch, R. T., et al. (1998). Interspecies differences in renal localization of cyclooxygenase isoforms: implications in nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-related nephrotoxicity, Toxicol. Pathol. 26, 612–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, K. N., Paulson, S. K., Verburg, K. M., et al. (2002). Pharmacology of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in the kidney, Kidney Int. 61, 1210–1219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirschenbaum, A., Liotta, D. R., Khan, I. A., et al. (2000). Immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the human fetal and adult male reproductive tracts, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 85, 3436–3441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, H., Paria, B. C., Das, S. K., et al. (1997). Multiple female reproductivefailures in cyclooxygenase 2-deficient mice, Cell 91, 197–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masferrer, J. L., Seibert, K., Zweifel, B., et al. (1992). Endogenous glucocorticoids regulate an inducible cyclooxygenase enzyme, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 3917–3921.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKanna, J. A., Zhang, H. J., Wang, J. L., et al. (1998). Constitutive expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in rat vas deferens, Am. J. Physiol. 275, R227–R233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morham, S. G., Langenbach, R., Loftin, C. D., et al. (1995). Prostaglandin synthase 2 gene disruption causes severe renal pathology in the mouse, Cell 83, 473–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Needleman, P. and Isakson, P. C. (1997). The discovery and function of COX-2, J. Rheumatol. 24 (Suppl. 49), 6–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olofsson, J. I. and Leung, P. C. (1996). Prostaglandins and their receptors; implications for ovarian physiology, Biol. Signal. 5, 90–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeley, R. R., Hargrove, J. L., Sanders, R. T., et al. (1974). Rabbit testicular capsular contractions-prostaglandins cyclic adneosine 3 0,5 0-monophosphate and epinephrine, Biol. Chem. Pharmacol. 23, 2969–2976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanfield, K. M., Khan, K. N. and Gralinski, M. R. (2001). Localization of cyclooxygenase isozymes in cardiovascular tissues of dogs treated with naproxen, Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 80, 309–314.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacia Research & Development, 4901, Searle Parkway, Skokie, IL 60077, USA

    Kristina M. Stanfield & K. Nasir M. Khan

Authors
  1. Kristina M. Stanfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Nasir M. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stanfield, K.M., Khan, K.N.M. Localization of COX-2 in the male reproductive tract during sexual maturation. Inflammopharmacology 11, 259–266 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1163/156856003322315604

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/156856003322315604

Search

Navigation