Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the distribution of cerebral cavernous malformation-2 (CCM2) and CCM3 proteins in a normal and experimentally induced varicocele model in rat testes.

DESIGN:

Comparative and controlled study.

SETTING:

University animal care and operation unit.

ANIMAL(S):

Wistar male rats for experimental and control groups.

INTERVENTION(S):

The control group underwent a sham operation. Rats in the experimental groups underwent partial ligation of the renal vein to induce experimental varicocele, and left testicular tissues were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Tissues were fixed and processed for paraffin-embedded testicular tissues. Levels of CCMs were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULT(S):

In control and sham-operated testes, CCM2 expression was detected in acrosomes of round spermatids at stages 6-8 and in the heads of elongating spermatids at stages 1-5 and 9-14. CCM3 expression was weakly localized in pachytene spermatocytes at stages 8-12 and strongly immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of round spermatids at stages 1-8 and in elongating spermatid cytoplasm at stages 9-12. Varicocele induction clearly demonstrated histopathological changes due to germ cell degeneration. CCM2 and CCM3 expression increased significantly in varicocele-induced rat testes.

CONCLUSION(S):

The expression patterns of two brain proteins were clearly identified in rat testes, suggesting a role during normal and pathological spermatogenesis. This article represents the first demonstration that these proteins have a role outside the central nervous system.

Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.