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Abstract
Roe deer are seasonal breeders and show cyclic variation
in testicular volume and cellular differentiation within
the tubular and interstitial testis compartment. We have
employed the roe deer as a model to elucidate the
expression of the postpubertal Leydig cell marker INSL3
during seasonal changes in Leydig cell differentiation.
Roe deer testis and serum samples were collected bimonthly
throughout the complete reproductive cycle. Peak levels of
testicular Insl3 mRNA and INSL3 immunoprotein were
detected well before the onset of rut in April and
coincided with the highest percentage of INSL3-positive
cell number/ mm2 testicular interstitial area.
During the winter (December, February), roe deer INSL3 was
exclusively detected in a subpopulation of alpha-actin
negative, spindle-shaped peritubular cells. Concordant
with the increase in INSL3 production in April and one
month after the reported LH-peak, a sharp increase in
serum testosterone concentrations was observed. High serum
testosterone concentrations coincided with the presence of
detectable 17alpha-hydroxylase, mRNA and protein, in
Leydig cells. Upregulation of INSL3 production in spring
appeared to reflect LH-dependent differentiation of Leydig
cells. The considerable changes in percentage of INSL3
immunopositive cells within the numerically constant
interstitial cell population indicated cyclic seasonal de-
and redifferentiation of Leydig cells. A complex
functional role of the INSL3/ LGR8 ligand-receptor system
in the roe deer testis was suggested by the detection of
specific hybridization signals for roe deer Lgr8
transcripts in Sertoli cells of the roe deer testis.
Key words:
Male Reproductive Tract •
Testis •
Leydig cells •
Relaxin •
Seasonal reproduction
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