G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog
There is growing evidence by the literature that the unbalance between androgens and estrogens is a relevant condition associated with a common canine reproductive disorder known as cryptorchidism. The role of estrogens in regulating testicular cell function and reproductive events is supposedly due...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/21 |
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| author | Giovanna Liguori Simona Tafuri Alessandra Pelagalli Sabrina Ali’ Marco Russo Nicola Mirabella Caterina Squillacioti |
| author_facet | Giovanna Liguori Simona Tafuri Alessandra Pelagalli Sabrina Ali’ Marco Russo Nicola Mirabella Caterina Squillacioti |
| author_sort | Giovanna Liguori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is growing evidence by the literature that the unbalance between androgens and estrogens is a relevant condition associated with a common canine reproductive disorder known as cryptorchidism. The role of estrogens in regulating testicular cell function and reproductive events is supposedly due to the wide expression of two nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-alpha and ER-beta and a trans-membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the testis. In this study, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to assess the distribution and expression of GPER in the testis–epididymal complex in the normal and cryptorchid dog. ER-alpha and ER-beta were also evaluated to better characterize the relative abundances of all three receptors. In addition, in these tissues, the expression level of two proteins as SOD1 and Nrf2 normally associated with oxidative stress was investigated to evaluate a possible relationship with ERs. Our data revealed changes in the distribution and expression of the GPER between the normal and cryptorchid dog. In particular, dogs affected by cryptorchidism showed an upregulation of GPER at level of the examined reproductive tract. Also considering the obtained result of a modulation of SOD1 and Nrf2 expression, we could hypothesize the involvement of GPER in the cryptorchid condition. Further studies are, however, necessary to characterize the role of GPER and its specific signaling mechanisms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:33:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e9125440de4459eaedb113e6d11b2d7 |
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| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:33:33Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e9125440de4459eaedb113e6d11b2d72024-01-26T18:45:26ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812024-01-011112110.3390/vetsci11010021G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid DogGiovanna Liguori0Simona Tafuri1Alessandra Pelagalli2Sabrina Ali’3Marco Russo4Nicola Mirabella5Caterina Squillacioti6Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyThere is growing evidence by the literature that the unbalance between androgens and estrogens is a relevant condition associated with a common canine reproductive disorder known as cryptorchidism. The role of estrogens in regulating testicular cell function and reproductive events is supposedly due to the wide expression of two nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-alpha and ER-beta and a trans-membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the testis. In this study, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to assess the distribution and expression of GPER in the testis–epididymal complex in the normal and cryptorchid dog. ER-alpha and ER-beta were also evaluated to better characterize the relative abundances of all three receptors. In addition, in these tissues, the expression level of two proteins as SOD1 and Nrf2 normally associated with oxidative stress was investigated to evaluate a possible relationship with ERs. Our data revealed changes in the distribution and expression of the GPER between the normal and cryptorchid dog. In particular, dogs affected by cryptorchidism showed an upregulation of GPER at level of the examined reproductive tract. Also considering the obtained result of a modulation of SOD1 and Nrf2 expression, we could hypothesize the involvement of GPER in the cryptorchid condition. Further studies are, however, necessary to characterize the role of GPER and its specific signaling mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/21estrogen receptorsG protein-coupled estrogen receptordog male genital tractcryptorchidismoxidative stress |
| spellingShingle | Giovanna Liguori Simona Tafuri Alessandra Pelagalli Sabrina Ali’ Marco Russo Nicola Mirabella Caterina Squillacioti G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog Veterinary Sciences estrogen receptors G protein-coupled estrogen receptor dog male genital tract cryptorchidism oxidative stress |
| title | G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog |
| title_full | G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog |
| title_fullStr | G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog |
| title_full_unstemmed | G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog |
| title_short | G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis–Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog |
| title_sort | g protein coupled estrogen receptor gper and ers are modulated in the testis epididymal complex in the normal and cryptorchid dog |
| topic | estrogen receptors G protein-coupled estrogen receptor dog male genital tract cryptorchidism oxidative stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/21 |
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