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Expression of Connexin 43 in normal canine testes and canine testicular tumors

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Abstract

In human testis, gap junctions containing connexin(Cx)43 are located within the seminiferous epithelium between Sertoli cells and between Sertoli and germ cells. Cx43 is known to play a role in the differentiation and proliferation of these cell types. It can further be associated with human seminoma development. The dog has been proposed as a model for studies of the male reproductive system, because of the frequent occurrence of testicular neoplasms. Thus, we investigated Cx43-mRNA and -protein expression in testes of normal prepubertal dogs, adult dogs, and in canine testicular tumors. Sertoli cells in prepubertal cords express Cx43 mRNA, but do synthesize only less Cx43 protein. Within the seminiferous tubules, Cx43 mRNA was detected in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes. Cx43 protein was mainly present in the basal compartment. In canine testicular tumors Cx43 mRNA was detectable in both seminoma and neoplastic Sertoli cells, whereas Cx43 protein was only found in neoplastic Sertoli cells. Our data indicate that Cx43 is regulated differentially in testicular tumors and that alterations of Cx43 expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of canine testicular malignancies. This study represents the first morphological work on the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Cx43 in normal and neoplastic canine testis.

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Acknowledgments

The skillfull technical assistance of G. Erhardt, A. Hax, A, Hild, M. Fink, O. Lekhkota, M. Zeiler, and R. Weigel, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, is gratefully acknowledged. C.R. is a recipient of a fellowship from the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Veterinary-Anatomy, -Histology and -Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 98, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    Christina Rüttinger, Martin Bergmann & Ralph Brehm

  2. Institute of Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    Ludger Fink

  3. Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    Sandra Pesch

  4. Veterinary Clinic Dr. Kaiser, 37627, Stadtoldendorf, Germany

    Klaus Seitz & Astrid Trautmann

  5. Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35385, Giessen, Germany

    Klaus Steger

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35385, Giessen, Germany

    Lutz Konrad

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  1. Christina Rüttinger
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  2. Martin Bergmann
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  9. Ralph Brehm
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Correspondence to Ralph Brehm.

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Rüttinger, C., Bergmann, M., Fink, L. et al. Expression of Connexin 43 in normal canine testes and canine testicular tumors. Histochem Cell Biol 130, 537–548 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-008-0432-9

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