Objective: To localize the Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA in the testes and epididymides of mature male rats.
Methods: Testes and epididymides obtained from mature male SD rats (n = 20) were fixed by 4% poly formaldehyde and sliced for immunohistochemical (IHC) test and in situ hybridization (ISH) test, respectively, for detecting Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA.
Results: In both the 2 tests, clear brown staining was observed in Leydig cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells, and peritubular myoid cells. Both the Mahoganoid protein and its mRNA were mainly located on cell membrane and cytoplasm. And in the epididymis tissues, the Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA were respectively expressed within the membrane and cytoplasm of principal cells, basic cells and epithelial cells.
Conclusion: Both Mahoganoid protein and Mahoganoid mRNA are expressed in the male rat reproductive system and localized in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells and epithelial cells. They play an important role in spermatogenesis but their physiological significance remains to be clarified.