In this study, we report the cell specific expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, COX1 and COX2, in the ductuli efferentes and epididymis of prepubertal and adult alpaca. COX1 weakly stained the cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and the epididymal corpus, whereas these cells were immunonegative in the epididymal caput and cauda. In adults, we observed an increase in the immunsignals for COX1 in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and all the epididymal regions. In prepubertal alpaca, immunoreactivity for COX2 was not revealed in the epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and epididymal regions, whereas it was evidenced in adult animals. The apical rich mithocondria cells immunoreacted only with COX1 in the epididymis of prepubertal animals, whereas they expressed both COX1 and -2 in the adult alpaca. Our results suggest that COXs may play a role in the pubertal development of the excurrent duct system of the alpaca.
The presence of immunoreactive cyclooxygenases in the ductuli efferentes and epididymis of prepubertal and adult alpaca (Lama pacos)
PARILLO, Francesco;CATONE, Giuseppe;ZERANI, Massimo
2013-01-01
Abstract
In this study, we report the cell specific expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, COX1 and COX2, in the ductuli efferentes and epididymis of prepubertal and adult alpaca. COX1 weakly stained the cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and the epididymal corpus, whereas these cells were immunonegative in the epididymal caput and cauda. In adults, we observed an increase in the immunsignals for COX1 in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and all the epididymal regions. In prepubertal alpaca, immunoreactivity for COX2 was not revealed in the epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes and epididymal regions, whereas it was evidenced in adult animals. The apical rich mithocondria cells immunoreacted only with COX1 in the epididymis of prepubertal animals, whereas they expressed both COX1 and -2 in the adult alpaca. Our results suggest that COXs may play a role in the pubertal development of the excurrent duct system of the alpaca.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
