An example of application of molecular techniques to the study on the local regulatory system controlling the...

Molecular biology techniques help to study details of testicular cell interactions, which play an important role in the control of spermatogenesis and secretory function of the male gonad. This paper presents an example of application of such techniques, with evaluation of their usability, in the study on expression of some cytokines involved in cellular interactions in the rat testis. Testicular cells were isolated by digestion with collagenase followed by percoll gradient centrifugation or by the adherence technique (macrophages). Then RNA was isolated from cells using Chomczynski-Sacchi method and analysed by electrophoresis and spectrophotometry. RNA was reversely transcribed using oligo-dT15 primer and AMV (Avian Myeloblastosis Virus) transcriptase. cDNA was amplified by PCR with primers for rat IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and Tbr (Thermus brockianus) polymerase. RT-PCR products were analysed by electrophoresis. Chomczynski-Sacchi method proved to be effective for isolation of good quality RNA even from small number of cells. RT-PCR revealed the presence of mRNA for studied cytokines in isolated cell. The results indicate that the applied techniques are useful in studies on the function of male gonad and indicate the need for use of semi-quantitative methods for evaluation of cytokine expression.