Abstract
After having established the specificity of the antibodies for the rat testis by western blot analysis, the potential target cells for transforming growth factors (TGFβs) were identified by immunohistochemical detection of both type I (TβRI) and type II (TβRII) transducing receptors for TGFβs in the adult rat testis in situ. Leydig cells showed a strong TβRII immunoreactivity whereas the TβRI staining was weak. Only TβRII was detectable in Sertoli cells. In germ cells, staining for TβRI was stronger than for TβRII and the expression of both receptors depended on the seminiferous cycle stage. TβRI first appeared in pachytene spermatocytes and was absent in elongated spermatids from stage XIV onwards. Labelling for TβRII was observed as early as the spermatogonia stage; it increased in pachytene spermatocytes at the onset of TβRI and disappeared in elongating spermatids from stage XI onwards. These results show that TGFβs can affect somatic cells functions and suggest that these factors are involved in the control of meiosis and early spermiogenesis, exerting a direct effect on germ cells.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 18 June 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Olaso, R., Pairault, C. & Habert, R. Expression of type I and II receptors for transforming growth factor β in the adult rat testis. Histochemistry 110, 613–618 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004180050324
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004180050324