共查询到18条相似文献，搜索用时 218 毫秒
1.
《中国畜牧兽医》2020,(3)
试验旨在研究视黄醇结合蛋白4(retinol binding protein 4,RBP4)基因在绵羊性成熟前和性成熟后附睾中的表达水平,探讨其在绵羊生殖机能调控方面的作用。以绵羊性成熟前和性成熟后附睾为材料,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测RBP4基因mRNA在绵羊性成熟前、后附睾中表达量的差异,采用免疫组化技术检测RBP4基因在绵羊性成熟前、后附睾头和附睾尾中蛋白的表达水平。结果显示,RBP4基因在绵羊附睾中性成熟前的表达量为1.3368,性成熟后的表达量为0.6450,虽然二者间的表达量差异不显著(P0.05),但性成熟前的表达量高于性成熟后的表达量。RBP4蛋白在性成熟前、后附睾头上皮层、平滑肌层、组织间质中均有阳性表达,主要位于上皮细胞质、平滑肌细胞质;在附睾尾上皮层、组织间质中有阳性表达,主要位于上皮细胞质。推测RBP4基因可能与附睾主细胞分泌功能和附睾头处的收缩功能有关,预示RBP4可能参与附睾微环境的调控,有利于精子成熟、运动和储存。 相似文献
2.
为研究褪黑素受体1（MT1）在不同年龄绵羊附睾中的表达模式，选用幼龄绵羊（2~3月龄）、青年绵羊（6~8月龄）和成年绵羊（2~3岁）的附睾，采用实时荧光定量PCR和免疫组化技术检测不同年龄绵羊附睾各部位MT1基因mRNA的表达量和MT1的分布情况。结果表明：幼龄绵羊附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平极显著高于附睾头和附睾体（P<0.01）；青年绵羊附睾体和附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平显著高于附睾头（P<0.05）；成年绵羊附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平显著高于附睾头和附睾体（P<0.05），附睾各部位MT1基因的转录水平随年龄增长呈明显降低趋势；定位结果显示，MT1在各年龄组绵羊附睾的各个部位均有分布，且主要分布在附睾上皮细胞中。综合上述结果，不同年龄绵羊附睾的不同部位均有MT1表达和分布，并随年龄增长各部位的表达量降低，相同年龄绵羊附睾尾MT1的表达水平较高。 相似文献
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为研究褪黑素受体1(MT1)在不同年龄绵羊附睾中的表达模式,选用幼龄绵羊(2~3月龄)、青年绵羊(6~8月龄)和成年绵羊(2~3岁)的附睾,采用实时荧光定量PCR和免疫组化技术检测不同年龄绵羊附睾各部位MT1基因mRNA的表达量和MT1的分布情况。结果表明:幼龄绵羊附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平极显著高于附睾头和附睾体(P0.01);青年绵羊附睾体和附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平显著高于附睾头(P0.05);成年绵羊附睾尾MT1基因的转录水平显著高于附睾头和附睾体(P0.05),附睾各部位MT1基因的转录水平随年龄增长呈明显降低趋势;定位结果显示,MT1在各年龄组绵羊附睾的各个部位均有分布,且主要分布在附睾上皮细胞中。综合上述结果,不同年龄绵羊附睾的不同部位均有MT1表达和分布,并随年龄增长各部位的表达量降低,相同年龄绵羊附睾尾MT1的表达水平较高。 相似文献
4.
《畜牧兽医学报》2016,(4)
旨在探索高原型藏绵羊附睾细胞外基质相关蛋白的分布特征。应用Masson’s、Gomori’s、PAS和ABPAS(pH 2.5)染色组织化学方法观察7只健康成年高原型藏绵羊附睾的组织结构特点,进而用免疫组织化学SP法观察层粘连蛋白(LN)、IV型胶原蛋白(Col IV)和硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白多糖(HSPG)的分布特征。高原型成年藏绵羊附睾各部分管腔为柱状纤毛上皮,附睾尾间质胶原纤维和网状纤维较附睾头及附睾体明显增多。PAS反应显示附睾尾阳性强于附睾头和附睾体,AB-PAS反应显示附睾头和附睾尾的阳性强于附睾体。免疫组织化学结果显示,LN在组织中表达最强,HSPG次之,Col IV表达较弱,HSPG和LN的阳性表达差异不显著(P0.05)。高原型成年藏绵羊附睾尾间质胶原纤维和网状纤维的分布较附睾头和附睾体多,附睾各部分中PAS的反应强弱与附睾上皮分泌功能的变化密切相关,附睾尾输精管的分泌功能增强;Col IV参与基膜的物质转运;HSPG与血-附睾屏障构成相关;LN与基膜的形成及其附睾中细胞外基质相关蛋白(ECM)的合成和分泌有关。 相似文献
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旨在对绵羊附睾头、体和尾部的精子进行蛋白质组学分析,获得差异表达蛋白,对数据进行功能富集分析,挖掘精子发生/成熟关键蛋白质。本研究选择12月龄左右健康的3只雄性湖羊为试验动物,分离附睾并按区域收集精子,3组样本(附睾头部组、附睾体部组和附睾尾部组),每组3个生物学重复,共计9例绵羊精子细胞样本。基于TMT标定定量蛋白质组学分析和R语言等工具,在获取的差异表达蛋白中进行GO和KEGG富集分析,并利用蛋白质免疫印迹(Western bolt)、免疫荧光(immunofluorescence)和流式细胞术(flow cytometry)试验验证结果的可靠性。从22 841个唯一性肽中鉴定到差异蛋白质616种,其中,尾vs头组鉴定出309个差异表达蛋白(上调213个,下调96个);尾vs.体组鉴定出167个差异表达蛋白(上调107个,下调60个);体vs头组鉴定出140个差异表达蛋白(上调88个,下调52个)。根据差异倍数与蛋白质功能,筛选出可能与精子成熟、核质物质转运相关的关键蛋白-KPNA4。本研究揭示了绵羊附睾不同部位精子的特点与差异,这些数据为研究雄性绵羊的生殖机制和精子成熟提供了丰富的资源。 相似文献
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【目的】分析藏绵羊Krüppel样因子7(Krüppel-like factor 7,KLF7)基因表达特征,研究过表达该基因对前脂肪细胞增殖及分化的影响。【方法】从藏绵羊脂肪组织中分离前脂肪细胞进行培养及成脂诱导,应用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测KLF7基因在藏绵羊7个组织(大脑、皮下脂肪、肾脏、背最长肌、瘤胃、睾丸和回肠)和前脂肪细胞不同分化阶段(第0、2、4和8天)的mRNA相对表达水平;应用RT-PCR方法从藏绵羊脂肪组织中扩增KLF7基因CDS区序列,并将其连接到pcDNA3.1(+)真核表达载体获得pcDNA3.1-KLF7过表达质粒,转染前脂肪细胞;应用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测脂肪细胞增殖及分化标志基因mRNA表达水平;采用EdU和CCK-8方法分别检测过表达KLF7基因对EdU阳性细胞数和细胞活力的影响;采用油红O染色检测过表达KLF7基因后脂肪细胞脂滴生成量。【结果】KLF7基因在藏绵羊7个组织中均有表达,其中在大脑中的表达量最高,其次为皮下脂肪和肾脏,均显著高于其他组织(P<0.05);诱导分化第2、4和8天脂肪细胞mRNA表达量均显著高于分化前(P＜0.05),且分化第2天表达量最高;pcDNA3.1-KLF7过表达质粒转染前脂肪细胞2 d后显著或极显著抑制增殖标志基因CDK4、CyclinB1和CyclinD1的表达水平(P＜0.05;P＜0.01),极显著降低细胞活力及EdU阳性细胞数量(P＜0.01);pcDNA3.1-KLF7过表达质粒转染前脂肪细胞,诱导分化8 d后,脂肪细胞分化标志基因PPARγ、Glut4和ELOVL6的mRNA相对表达水平显著或极显著下调(P＜0.05;P＜0.01),且脂质沉积极显著减少(P＜0.01),表明过表达KLF7基因可抑制藏绵羊前脂肪细胞增殖及分化。【结论】KLF7基因在藏绵羊多个组织中广泛表达,且大脑、皮下脂肪、肾脏中表达量较高;诱导分化后脂肪细胞表达量显著高于分化前,且分化第2天表达量最高;过表达KLF7基因可抑制藏绵羊前脂肪细胞的增殖及分化。试验结果为阐明藏绵羊脂肪沉积的分子调控机制提供了基础数据。 相似文献
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文章主要研究Defb124基因在绵羊睾丸、附睾不同发育时期的表达特性。采用QRT-PCR法对绵羊不同时期睾丸、附睾中Defb124 mRNA的表达进行绝对定量分析。结果表明：2、3、6、12月龄附睾头中Defb24的表达量分别为3.190×10^-4、5.447×10^-3、6.602×10^-3、8.757×10^-3ng/μL,在附睾尾中表达量分别为1.610×10^-4、4.658×10^-3、5.443×10^-3、5.510×10^-3ng/μL,在附睾体及睾丸中的表达量很少。说明Defb124 mRNA在绵羊不同发育时期睾丸、附睾中均有不同程度的表达,在附睾头中大量表达,且表现出明显的组织依赖性和时间依赖性。 相似文献
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为探究松辽黑猪视黄醇结合蛋白4（RBP4）基因多态性及其与繁殖性状的关联性,试验选取132头松辽黑猪作为研究对象,以与猪繁殖性状相关的RBP4基因为候选基因,采用PCR-HRM分析与PCR产物直接测序相结合的方法检测松辽黑猪RBP4基因部分外显子的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）,分析RBP4基因SNP与母猪总产仔数、产活仔数、乳头数及仔猪初生重、3周龄重、断奶重的关联性。结果显示,松辽黑猪RBP4基因第3、5外显子上各存在1个SNP位点,分别命名为为G45A和C170T,其中在G45A位点检测到GG、GA和AA 3种基因型,在C170T位点检测到CC和CT 2种基因型。群体遗传参数分析及卡方适合性检验结果显示,RBP4基因G45A位点在松辽黑猪群体中分布较为均匀,遗传变异程度处于中等水平,偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡（P<0.01）;C170T位点在松辽黑猪群体中分布不均匀,遗传变异程度较低,未偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡（P>0.05）。关联分析结果表明,在RBP4基因G45A位点上,3种基因型的总产仔数及产活仔数均表现为：GG > GA > AA,其中GG基因型的总产仔数、产活仔数显著高于AA基因型（P<0.05）;GG基因型仔猪3周龄重显著低于GA基因型（P<0.05）;GG基因型仔猪断奶重显著低于GA及AA基因型（P<0.05）;各基因型在仔猪初生重及母猪乳头数上未表现出显著差异（P>0.05）。在C170T位点上,不同基因型松辽黑猪的总产仔数、产活仔数、乳头数及仔猪初生重、3周龄重、断奶重均无显著差异（P>0.05）。综上,RBP4基因G45A位点对松辽黑猪产仔数具有显著影响,但该位点是否可作为松辽黑猪产仔数相关的遗传标记,有待进一步研究;RBP4基因C170T位点可能不是松辽黑猪繁殖性状相关的突变位点,在后期工作中需扩大群体做进一步验证。 相似文献
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T1R1和T1R3在从江香猪附睾发育中的表达模式 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
为研究味觉受体第一家族亚型1（T1R1）和3（T1R3）在从江香猪附睾发育过程中的表达模式,探讨味觉受体在哺乳动物雄性生殖机能中可能发挥的作用及潜在医学价值,本试验以从江香猪附睾组织为研究对象,分析附睾发育4个关键时期：初情前（15 d）、初情时（30 d）、初情后（60 d）和性成熟期（180 d）T1R1与T1R3的差异表达。采用实时荧光定量PCR、免疫组织化学（IHC）和Western blot检测两个味觉受体在不同日龄从江香猪附睾组织中转录、翻译水平的变化及其分布情况。RT-qPCR结果表明：TAS1R1与TAS1R3 mRNA在从江香猪附睾初情前（15 d）至性成熟期（180 d）表达量逐渐增加,且任意两个时期间差异极显著（P<0.01）。Western blot结果显示,T1R1/T1R3蛋白在180 d表达量最高,在15 d表达量最低,两者之间差异显著（P<0.05）,平均表达丰度依次为180 d > 30 d > 60 d > 15 d。IHC结果显示,T1R1和T1R3蛋白在各日龄组从江香猪附睾组织均有分布,其中T1R1蛋白主要在上皮细胞膜上,尤其是基细胞和窄细胞;而T1R3蛋白主要在微绒毛、环状空泡和精子呈强阳性表达。综上,本研究发现不同日龄从江香猪附睾的T1R1/T1R3表达从15 d逐渐增加,至性成熟达到峰值,这一表达变化与附睾上皮基细胞和窄细胞及微绒毛的T1R1/T1R3的差异表达有关,这些特殊的表达模式与附睾生理功能存在时间关联,故推测T1R1和T1R3参与附睾内精子成熟和储存的调节过程。 相似文献
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《畜牧兽医学报》2017,(3)
旨在研究公山羊β防御素124(Goat beta-defensin 124,gDB 124)的表达谱及其蛋白在繁殖器官中的分布特点。采集1周龄、2~6月龄公羊各3只(体重相近)睾丸和附睾,以及18月龄公山羊睾丸、附睾头、附睾体、附睾尾、心、肝、脾、肺、肾和背最长肌组织。用qRT-PCR分析gDB124mRNA的表达情况;采用免疫荧光技术分析睾丸、附睾头、附睾体和附睾尾gDB 124分布特点。结果显示:除背最长肌中无表达外,gDB124mRNA在18月龄公山羊睾丸、附睾头、附睾体、附睾尾、心、肝、脾、肺和肾组织均有表达,且附睾头表达量极显著高于其他组织(P0.01);睾丸gDB124mRNA表达量6月龄时显著高于其他月龄;附睾头、附睾体和附睾尾gDB124mRNA表达量随月龄的增加呈上升趋势;1周龄公山羊睾丸和附睾gDB124mRNA表达量不存在显著差异,3、4、5、6、18月龄时附睾头gDB124mRNA表达量显著高于睾丸、附睾体和附睾尾(P0.05);免疫荧光定位技术分析显示:gDB 124在公山羊睾丸和附睾中均有分布,但主要是在附睾头上皮细胞中。根据荧光信号强度gDB 124的表达量顺序:附睾头附睾体附睾尾睾丸,该结果与qRT-PCR分析结果相一致。公山羊gDB124mRNA表达具有明显组织特异性和时间依赖性。 相似文献
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【目的】探究不同日龄伊拉兔睾丸和附睾组织在性成熟前的变化规律,为其初情期及性成熟的判定提供组织学依据。【方法】将45只伊拉兔随机分为9组,每组5只,从30日龄开始每隔15日采集1组试验兔的睾丸及其附睾,运用形态学与组织解剖学方法对其生长发育规律进行研究分析。【结果】随着日龄的增加,睾丸指数、睾丸重、睾丸长径、睾丸短径及厚径等指标逐步增加,且150日龄时各指标均显著高于其他组（P＜0.05）;30、45、60日龄睾丸内生精小管排列稀疏,75、90、105日龄时睾丸间质成分逐渐增多,管腔逐步形成,120、135、150日龄时间质细胞进一步增生并成群分布,90日龄起出现圆形和长形未成型精子,120日龄的睾丸生精小管、附睾管腔中出现少量成型精子,150日龄时有大量精子密集分布于睾丸管腔内,且在120、135、150日龄时生精小管面积、上皮细胞厚度、支持细胞数均显著大于其他组（P＜0.05）;30日龄以上各组间质细胞个数在各组间差异不显著（P＞0.05）,但均显著高于30日龄;120、135、150日龄时附睾头、体、尾的直径均极显著高于其他组（P＜0.05）,而附睾头的柱状上皮厚度和纤毛长度则从105日龄起就显著高于30、45、60、75和90日龄组（P＜0.05）。【结论】伊拉兔睾丸和附睾随日龄增加同步发育,在120日龄时达到初情期,在150日龄时睾丸和附睾已发育成熟,基本达到性成熟。 相似文献
12.
MENG Lijie WANG Weiyong YANG Yi XU Yongjian FENG Xianzhou HUANG Yong GAO Yi GONG Ting 《畜牧兽医学报》1956,51(11):2720-2730
The aim of this experiment was to study the expression pattern of taste receptor family 1 subtypes 1 (T1R1) and 3 (T1R3) during epididymal development of Congjiang Xiang pig, and to explore the possible role of these taste receptors in mammalian male reproductive function and its potential medical value. In this study, the differential expressions of T1R1 and T1R3 in epididymis at 4 key developmental periods (neonatal (15 d), peri-puberty (30 d), puberty (60 d) and sexual maturity (180 d)) of Congjiang Xiang pigs were analyzed. RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to detect the changes and distribution of the two taste receptors in epididymis of Congjiang Xiang pigs at different ages. The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression of TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 mRNA increased gradually from neonatal (15 d) to sexual maturity (180 d), and there was a significant difference between each period (P<0.01). The results of Western blot showed that the expression of T1R1/T1R3 protein was the highest on the 180 d and the lowest on the 15 d. The average protein abundance of T1R1/T1R3 was as follows: 180 d > 30 d > 60 d > 15 d. The results of IHC showed that T1R1 and T1R3 proteins were distributed in the epididymis of Congjiang Xiang pigs at 4 periods, in which T1R1 protein was mainly concentrated in epithelial cell membrane, especially in basal and narrow cells, while T1R3 protein was strongly positive in stereocilia, annular vacuoles and spermatozoa. In summary, the expression of T1R1/T1R3 in the epididymis of Congjiang Xiang pigs increased gradually from 15 d to the peak of sexual maturation, which was related to the differential expression of T1R1/T1R3 in epithelial basal cells, narrow cells and stereocilia of epididymis. These special expression patterns were time related to the physiological function of epididymis, so it is speculated that T1R1/T1R3 are involved in the regulation of sperm maturation and storage in epididymis. 相似文献
13.
Miyazaki M Miyazaki T Toyonaga M Tsutsui T Taira H Yamashita T Suzuki A 《Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)》2011,(3):378-382
The carboxylesterase cauxin is a major urinary protein in cats that is also found in seminal fluid (SF). This study investigated cauxin in feline SF including biochemical features, concentration, distribution and gene expression in epididymal tissue, and its reaction with acylglycerol substrates.Monomeric, dimeric, and/or multimeric forms of cauxin carrying N-glycosylations were detected on Western blots of feline SF but most were monomeric. Cauxin concentrations were markedly lower in SF (0.042 ± 0.020 mg/mL) than in urine (∼0.5 mg/mL) and cauxin gene expression was 60-fold lower in the epididymis than in the kidney. Immunohistochemical examination localised cauxin within the stereocilia and cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the caput and corpus epididymis. Cauxin-positive spermatozoa were detected in the lumen of the cauda epididymis but not in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cell lining. Using an in vitro assay, cauxin hydrolysed saturated 1-mono- but not di- and tri-acylglycerols. The results suggest that cauxin secreted from the caput and corpus epididymis acts as an esterase on lipid within feline SF. 相似文献
14.
J Schön S Neumann DE Wildt BS Pukazhenthi K Jewgenow 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2009,44(S2):294-301
Oestrogens are involved in regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation and are essential for male fertility. To study the role of oestrogens on epididymal function in the domestic cat, we analyzed the localization patterns of oestrogen receptors (ERs) within the epididymis of juvenile, pubertal and adults using immunohistochemistry. Cat epididymal tissues obtained during routine castrations were fixed in chilled Bouin's solution and processed for immunohistochemistry with ER-specific antibodies. For a certain receptor type, ER localization was influenced by donor age. In the juvenile epididymis, ERα was localized in the nuclei of epithelial cells of efferent ducts and undifferentiated epithelium of the ductus epididymis. During puberty, ERα localization in the undifferentiated epithelium of the epididymis shifted from the nuclei to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Oestrogen receptor-α level was highest in the pubertal and adult epididymis, especially within the cytoplasm and in plasma membranes of caput epithelial cells. This finding was suggestive of a role in fluid reabsorption within the efferent ducts and the epididymis. In corpus and cauda regions, ERα was less abundant, suggesting a minor role for oestrogens in sperm storage areas. Interestingly, localization of ERβ was neither influenced by age nor location within the epididymis and was ubiquitous throughout. Results demonstrate that oestrogen actions within the epididymis may be predominantly mediated through ERα during sexual maturation in the domestic cat. 相似文献
15.
Tight junctions (TJs) in inter-Sertoli junctional areas and epididymal epithelia build up the blood–testis barrier (BTB) and the blood–epididymal barrier (BEB), respectively. In this study, the expression of occludin, an integral member of the TJs, was examined in testis and different regions of epididymis of Lepus sinensis coreanus , an Korean wild rabbit species. In testis, intense occludin immunoreactivity was found in the basally located inter-Sertoli junctional area together with diffused immunoreactivity of occludin in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. It can be suggested that occludin is one of the robust elements of BTB in seminiferous tubules of rabbit testis. In proximal and distal caput epididymis, occludin immunoreactivity was found in the lateral as well as apical contacts of epithelial cells. In corpus epididymis, intense occludin immunoreactivity was found in the basolateral as well as apical contacts of epithelial cells together with cytoplasmic signal. In cauda epididymis, occludin immunoreactivity in luminal epithelia was relatively strong but largely found in the cytoplasm. This suggests that intriguing regulatory mechanisms differentially recruit occludin to the TJ in the different regions of epididymal epithelia. The differences in the subcellular localization as well as expression levels of occludin among the epididymal segments may reflect differential paracellular permeability of epithelia along the epididymal tubules and be correlated with sperm maturation in rabbit. In Western blot, a major form of occludin was MW 62 kDa together with small fragments of MW 34–39 kDa in testis and epididymis, suggesting the peptide cleavage of occludin. This is the first report on the molecular nature of TJs in a wild rabbit testis and epididymis. 相似文献
16.
本研究旨在阐明荣昌猪BMP15基因在荣昌猪性成熟前不同发育期的表达特性及其与SMADs信号相关基因的表达关系。采集1月龄、3月龄及5月龄荣昌猪卵巢组织,利用qRT-PCR及石蜡切片免疫荧光染色法分析荣昌猪不同月龄卵巢组织内BMP15基因表达及细胞定位特征;利用5月龄卵巢活组织添加重组人BMP15蛋白及TGF-β受体抑制剂（LY215799和LY2109761）,应用qRT-PCR及Western blot方法分析BMP15及SMADs信号通路相关基因SMAD2、SMAD3、SMAD4、SMAD7、TGF-β1、TGF-β2、TGF-β3、TGF-β RⅠ和TGF-β RⅡ表达特征及BMP15/SMADs信号通路。结果表明：从1月龄至5月龄,随着荣昌猪生长发育,卵巢组织内BMP15基因mRNA表达量呈上调表达（P<0.05）;石蜡切片免疫荧光试验表明,5月龄卵巢组织卵母细胞周围颗粒细胞内存在BMP15蛋白荧光信号;从3月龄至5月龄的卵巢组织内BMP15、SMAD4、TGF-β1及TGF-β RⅡ基因在mRNA水平呈上调表达（P<0.05）,而SMAD2、TGF-β2及TGF-β RⅠ呈下调表达（P<0.05）;通过5月龄卵巢活组织添加重组人BMP15蛋白、TGF-β RⅠ/Ⅱ及TGF-β RⅠ受体抑制剂培养,发现TGF-β RⅠ/Ⅱ抑制剂（LY2109761）明显抑制TGF-β RⅡ受体蛋白的表达,TGF-β RⅠ抑制剂（LY2157299）不能抑制TGF-β RⅡ受体蛋白的表达。上述结果表明,荣昌猪BMP15基因在荣昌猪性成熟前的卵巢组织内呈上调表达,SMAD4、TGF-β1及TGF-β RⅡ也呈上调表达。本试验研究表明BMP15基因通过TGF-β RⅡ介导SMAD4信号分子调控下游基因的表达,为进一步研究荣昌猪BMP15基因在卵泡发育中发挥的作用提供理论依据。 相似文献
17.
The goal of this study was to determine whether in the Japanese quail the male genital tract contains receptors for progesterone, androgen and estrogen (PR, AR and ER, respectively), which have significant roles in reproductive functions, and whether their localization changes during sexual maturation. The epididymis and ductus deferens (middle and ampulla regions) of immature (approximately 30-day-old) and mature male Japanese quail were collected and frozen sections of them were immunostained for PR, AR and ER. The immunoreaction products for AR and PR were found in the nuclei of epithelial cells in the efferent ductules, epididymal duct, and the middle and ampulla regions of the ductus deferens of mature and immature birds. In the mature birds, the epithelial cells of the efferent ductules, epididymal duct, and the middle and ampulla regions of the ductus deferens were positive for ER, although some of the cells in the ductus deferens were negative. The epithelial cells of the ductules in the epididymis stained positive for ER, but the immunoreactions were negligible in the ductus deferens of immature birds. These results suggest that the epididymis and ductus deferens in quail possesses PR, AR and ER receptors. Each receptor is expressed before sexual maturation, although enhancement of ER expression may occur during maturation. 相似文献