Expression and Localization of Opioid Receptors in Male Germ Cells and the Implication for Mouse Spermatogenesis

Haizea Estomba; Iraia Muñoa-Hoyos; Marta Gianzo; Itziar Urizar-Arenaza; Luis Casis; Jon Irazusta; Nerea Subirán

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152162

Expression and Localization of Opioid Receptors in Male Germ Cells and the Implication for Mouse Spermatogenesis

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 31;11(3):e0152162. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152162. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Haizea Estomba¹, Iraia Muñoa-Hoyos¹, Marta Gianzo¹, Itziar Urizar-Arenaza¹, Luis Casis¹, Jon Irazusta¹, Nerea Subirán¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

Abstract

The presence of endogenous opioid peptides in different testicular cell types has been extensively characterized and provides evidence for the participation of the opioid system in the regulation of testicular function. However, the exact role of the opioid system during the spermatogenesis has remained controversial since the presence of the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in spermatogenic cells was yet to be demonstrated. Through a combination of quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry approaches, we report for the first time the presence of active mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in mouse male germ cells. They show an exposition time-dependent response to opioid agonist, hence suggesting their active involvement in spermatogenesis. Our results contribute to understanding the role of the opioid receptors in the spermatogenesis and could help to develop new strategies to employ the opioid system as a biochemical tool for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cells, Cultured
Male
Mice
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Receptors, Opioid, delta / agonists
Receptors, Opioid, delta / analysis*
Receptors, Opioid, delta / genetics
Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists
Receptors, Opioid, kappa / analysis*
Receptors, Opioid, kappa / genetics
Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists
Receptors, Opioid, mu / analysis*
Receptors, Opioid, mu / genetics
Spermatogenesis* / drug effects
Spermatozoa / cytology*
Spermatozoa / drug effects
Spermatozoa / metabolism
Testis / cytology*
Testis / drug effects
Testis / metabolism

Substances

Receptors, Opioid, delta
Receptors, Opioid, kappa
Receptors, Opioid, mu

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from The Basque Government, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Merck Serono. HE was supported by a fellowship from the Gangoti Barrera Foundation; MG was supported by a fellowship from Basque Government (Zabalduz); IM was supported by a fellowship from Basque Government and IU was supported by a fellowship from University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. This does not alter the authors' adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.