Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
Published on: April 26, 2017
[Expression change and significance of homebox gene-A10 in rat cryptorchidism]
Yuehua Chen1, Lili Liu1, Jianfei Huang1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
Objective:
To explore the effects of HOXA10 gene expression in undescended and descended testis.
Methods:
Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were surgically prepared for unilateral cryptorchidism model. Their undescended and descended testes were removed at days 7 (infancy period, group B7) and 60 (sexual maturity period, group B60) post-operation. And contralateral descended testis served as controls (group A7, group A60). The expression of HOXA10 with histologic changes in experimental cryptorchidism were detected with one-step real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the levels of HOXA10 gene for groups B7 and B60 decreased markedly to 0.78 ± 0.11 (P < 0.01) and 0.56 ± 0.03 (P < 0.01) respectively.However the levels of HOXA10 gene and protein in group B60 were significantly lower than those in group B7 (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
There is a lower expression of HOXA10 in undescended testes than in normally developed counterparts. And the expression of HOXA10 decreases with the elapsing time of cryptorchidism.
Related Concept Videos
Pleiotropy
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....

