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Altered expression of NDRG2 in the testes of experimental rat model of cryptorchidism
1Department of Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
Objectives:
To examine the expression of N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in the cryptorchid testes and its potential association with germ cell apoptosis in a rat model of cryptorchidism.
Methods:
Groups of pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to surgical procedure for the induction of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. The weight of the abdominal and scrotal testes was measured and their apoptotic cells and NDRG2 expression were examined longitudinally by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses. The expression of NDRG2 and p53 in the purified germ cells and Leydig cells was determined by Western blot assay.
Results:
Compared with the control scrotal testes, the mean weights of the abdominal testes were significantly reduced at 7 and 14 days after surgery, accompanied by significantly increased numbers of apoptotic germ cells. Although the NDRG2 expression was detected in Leydig cells and spontaneous apoptotic germ cells in the scrotal testes, it was significantly upregulated predominately in apoptotic spermatocytes and round spermatids in the abdominal testes. However, the NDRG2 expression was downregulated in Leydig cells in the abdominal testes. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of NDRG2 and p53 was upregulated significantly in purified germ cells 7 days after surgery, whereas NDRG2 was downregulated in the purified Leydig cells from the abdominal testes 7 and 14 days after surgery.
Conclusions:
The upregulated expression of NDRG2 was associated with germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid testes, suggesting that the NDRG2 may be a positive regulator for germ cell apoptosis in rat cryptorchidism.
Insights
N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is upregulated in cryptorchid rat testes and linked to germ cell apoptosis. This suggests NDRG2 may promote germ cell death in cryptorchidism.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, is a risk factor for male infertility.
- Germ cell apoptosis is a key pathological feature of cryptorchidism.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying germ cell apoptosis in cryptorchidism require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in a rat model of cryptorchidism.
- To determine the association between NDRG2 expression and germ cell apoptosis in cryptorchid testes.
Main Methods:
- Experimental unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Testicular weight, germ cell apoptosis (TUNL assay), and NDRG2 expression (immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence) were assessed longitudinally.
- NDRG2 and p53 expression in purified germ and Leydig cells were analyzed by Western blot.
Main Results:
- Abdominal testes showed reduced weight and increased germ cell apoptosis compared to scrotal testes.
- NDRG2 was significantly upregulated in apoptotic germ cells (spermatocytes, spermatids) in cryptorchid testes.
- NDRG2 expression was downregulated in Leydig cells, while p53 was upregulated in germ cells of cryptorchid testes.
Conclusions:
- Upregulated NDRG2 expression correlates with increased germ cell apoptosis in cryptorchid rat testes.
- NDRG2 may function as a positive regulator of germ cell apoptosis in the context of cryptorchidism.
- These findings contribute to understanding the molecular pathology of infertility associated with cryptorchidism.
