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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion
Published on: August 25, 2018
Tissue immunoexpression and messenger ribonucleic acid localization of inhibin/activin subunit in human epididymis
Adil O Bahathiq1, Roy L Stewart, Lynne Baxter
1Section of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Objective:
To determine the expression of inhibin betaA and betaB subunits and follistatin and the ability of human epididymal epithelium to synthesize these molecules.
Design:
The main aim of this study was to investigate the expression of inhibin alpha, betaA, and betaB-subunits and follistatin in human epididymis with immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and Western blotting in adult life.
Setting:
Academic university hospital.
Patient(S):
Epididymes were obtained from 10 men undergoing routine vasectomy or surgery for benign disease at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Immunoexpression of activin betaA and betaB subunits and follistatin proteins and mRNA in human caput and cauda epididymis.
Result(S):
Positive immunoexpression for activin betaA and betaB subunits and follistatin were detected in different parts of the epididymis epithelium. Western blotting under a reducing condition detected a 28-kd band (possibly corresponding to the activin dimer). In situ hybridization indicated positive mRNA localization signal in both caput and cauda epididymal epithelium.
Conclusion(S):
Activins betaA and betaB subunits, but not inhibin alpha subunit, were detected in epididymal epithelium. These finding suggest that activins might have a role in the processes of sperm maturation and sperm fertilizing capability during transit and storage.
