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The PACAP as Germ Cell Proliferating and Regenerating Factor during Spermiogenesis

Accession number;04A0022317

Title;The PACAP as Germ Cell Proliferating and Regenerating Factor during Spermiogenesis

Author; SHIODA SEIJI (Showa Univ., School of Medicine, JPN) ARIMURA AKIRA (Tulane Univ. Hebert Center) FUNAHASHI HISAYUKI (Showa Univ., School of Medicine, JPN) NIINO YOSHIKO (Showa Univ., School of Medicine, JPN) ARATA SATORU (Showadai Kumikaednajikkenshitsu)

Journal Title;Shokuniku ni kansuru Josei Kenkyu Chosa Seika Hokokusho

Journal Code:X0296A

ISSN:

VOL.21;NO.;PAGE.31-34(2003)

Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.2, REF.7

Pub. Country;Japan

Language;Japanese

Abstract;Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide(PACAP) was identified as a member of the secretion/vasoactive internal polypeptide(VIP) family. The rat testis has been recently shown to reveal high level of PACAP immunoreactivities, and the total amount of PACAP in both testes exceed the entire brain in rat. Autoradiography has demonstrated that specific, high-affinity PACAP-binding cites are localized in some of the seminiferous tubules. In this study, to gain insight into the role of PACAP in the rat testicular function, we examined the localization of PACAP receptor(PAC1-R) with immunocytochemistry. Then we used a double immunofluorescence method with anti-PAC1-R and anti-PACAP antibodies to examine precisely the stages of PACAP immunoreactivities in the testicular germ cells. In addition, we counterstained with DAPI to clarify the topographical distribution and localization of PACAP and PAC1-R immunoreactivity with a Radiance 2001 confocal laser microscope(Bio-Rad laboratories). PAC1-R immunoreactivity was detected in the developing germ cells but not in either Sertoli or Leydig cells. Strong PAC1-R immunoreactivity was detected in the spermatids from cap stage to acrosome stage but disappeared in the maturation stage. The majority of PAC1-R immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm, but not associated with the plasma membrane. Double-immunostaining method revealed that both immunoreactivities of PACAP and PAC1-R were detected in the acrosome in developing spermatids. The expression of PACAP seems to take place over a relatively longer period than that of PAC1-R. These findings strongly support the notion that PACAP participates in spermatogenesis, particularly in spermiogenesis. Moreover we are now trying to identify ultrastructural localization of PACAP and PAC1-R in order to find out PACAP action cites in the spermatids. (author abst.)

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