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Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion
Published on: August 25, 2018
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) localization in the epididymis of two vertebrate species
Luigi Rosati1, Piero Andreuccetti1, Marina Prisco1
1Department of Biology, Federico II Naples University, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
Abstract:
VIP and its receptors (VPACRs) are largely investigated in vertebrate testis, as well as their functions in the control of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. By contrast, a few data are available about the presence and role of VIP in the epididymis. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the localization of VIP and its receptors in the epididymis of two vertebrates: Podarcis sicula, a seasonal reproducer, and Rattus rattus, a continuous reproducer. By immunohystochemical investigation, we demonstrated for the first time that VIP and its receptors are widely represented in the epididymis of Podarcis sand Rattus; in particular in Podarcis, we showed that during the reproductive period, as well as in Rattus, VIP and its receptors are well represented in all the epithelial cells and the connective tissue of the epididymis; by contrast, during the non-reproductive period, VIP and its receptors are represented only in the connective tissue. The possible role of the VIP/VPACR system in the control of reproduction is discussed.
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