Glucocorticoid receptor in the rat epididymis: Expression, cellular distribution and regulation by steroid hormones

Glucocorticoids regulate several physiological functions, including reproduction, in mammals. Curiously, little is known about glucocorticoid-induced effects on the epididymis, an androgen-dependent tissue with vital role on sperm maturation. Here, RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical studie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2010-08, Vol.325 (1), p.64-77
Main Authors: Silva, Erick J.R., Queiróz, Daniel B.C., Honda, Luciana, Avellar, Maria Christina W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenalectomy
Age Factors
Androgens - blood
Animals
Cellular
Control
Epididymis
Epididymis - drug effects
Epididymis - metabolism
Fertility - genetics
Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects
Gene regulation
Glucocorticoid receptor
Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids - pharmacology
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - blood
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - pharmacology
Hormones
Interstitials
Male
Nuclei
Orchiectomy
Rat
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Receptors
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - genetics
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - metabolism
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - physiology
Reproduction
Tissue Distribution - drug effects
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Summary:Glucocorticoids regulate several physiological functions, including reproduction, in mammals. Curiously, little is known about glucocorticoid-induced effects on the epididymis, an androgen-dependent tissue with vital role on sperm maturation. Here, RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical studies were performed to evaluate expression, cellular distribution and hormonal regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) along rat epididymis. The rat orthologue of human GRα (mRNA and protein) was detected in caput, corpus and cauda epididymis and immunolocalized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of different epididymal cells (epithelial, smooth muscle and interstitial cells) and nerve fibers. Changes in plasma glucocorticoid and androgen levels differentially regulated GR expression in caput and cauda epididymis by homologous and heterologous mechanisms. In vivo treatment with dexamethasone significantly changed the expression of glucocorticoid-responsive genes and induced ligand-dependent GR nuclear translocation in epithelial cells from epididymis, indicating that GR is fully active in this tissue. Heterologous regulation of androgen receptor expression by glucocorticoids was also demonstrated in cauda epididymis. Our results demonstrate that the epididymis is under glucocorticoid regulation, opening new insights into the roles of this hormone in male fertility.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/j.mce.2010.05.013