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Published-Ahead-of-Print April 4, 2007, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.107.002634

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Microvillar Size and Espin Expression in Principal Cells of the Adult Rat Epididymis are Regulated by Androgens

Nadia Primiani , Mary Gregory , Julie Dufresne , Charles E Smith , Ye Lauren Liu , James R. Bartles , Daniel G. Cyr , and Louis Hermo *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: louis.hermo{at}mcgill.ca.

Principal cells of the epididymis are the most prominent cell type and are noted for an apical cell surface studded with microvilli. The latter contain channel proteins that condition the microenvironment of epididymal lumen and promote sperm maturation, but the regulation of the structure and integrity of microvilli is not known. Espins are a family of proteins implicated in microvillar growth. The objectives of this study were to assess the regulation of espin in epididymal principal cells both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of immortalized rat caput epididymal cells (RCE) with increasing doses of a homogenized testicular extract revealed a dose dependent increase in the size of microvilli. RT-PCR of adult rat epididymal RNA using espin-specific primers indicated the presence of a band at ~290 bp in all regions. Western blot analysis using affinity purified espin antibody confirmed the presence of a ~110 kDa band in the epididymis, corresponding to espin isoform 1. In adult rats, immunocytochemistry revealed espin expression over principal cells. In orchidectomized rats, espin expression was significantly reduced, while ligation of the efferent ducts resulted in a decrease of espin expression but not to the extent of orchidectomy. The fact that espin expression was restored to control levels in orchidectomized rats supplemented with high levels of testosterone indicated that its expression was dependent on androgens and not on other lumicrine factors derived from the testis. Taken together, these data indicate that espin is expressed in the epididymis and is regulated by androgens.


Key words: Androgen • Epididymis • Hormone • Reproductive Tract






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