Authors : Yang Liu, Guanyu Che, Yixue Sun, Bo Jin, Bin Guo and Xueming Zhang
Abstract: Previously researchers reported that Etv4, one of the members of Ets transcription factor Etv5 subfamily, remained at a low level during the normal sexual maturity in testis but a high level in epididymis. Since, the development of spermatogonia and the expression of the regulatory molecules during spermatogenesis could be altered in detrimental environment. In order to examine whether the expression of Etv4 were changed in male reproductive system when cryptorchidism occurred, expressions of Etv4 in testis and epididymis were examined in artificial Unilateral Cryptorchidism Mouse Model. Samples were collected on the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 18th days after cryptorchidism surgery, respectively. The effect of cryptorchidism was confirmed histologically. In cryptorchidism testis, Etv4 mRNA remained steadily at all time points compared with that in the contralateral (p>0.05). However, it decreased significantly in cryptorchidism epididymis compared with its contrapart on the same time point (p<0.01) and its decrease continued along with the time especially on day 12 (p<0.05) and day 18 (p<0.01) compared with day 3 in surgery-lateral epididymis. Collectively, Etv4 might play an essential role for sperm maturation in epididymis.
Yang Liu, Guanyu Che, Yixue Sun, Bo Jin, Bin Guo and Xueming Zhang, 2012. Expression of Etv4 mRNA in Cryptorchidism Mouse Testis and Epididymis. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 2163-2165.