Immunohistochemical demonstration of the intracellular localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-like immunoreactivity in the rat testis using the stamp preparation

• Published in: Regulatory peptides Vol. 78; no. 1; pp. 83 - 88
• Main Authors: Yanaihara, Hitoshi, Vigh, Sándor, Kozicz, Tamás, Somogyvári-Vigh, Aniko, Arimura, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 30.11.1998; Amsterdam Elsevier
• Subjects: Acrosome - metabolism; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germ Cells - enzymology; Immunohistochemistry; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Morphology. Physiology; Neuropeptides - metabolism; PACAP; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; Rat; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sertoli Cells - metabolism; Spermatids - metabolism; Stamp preparation; Testis; Testis - enzymology; Vertebrates: reproduction; Immunohistochemistry; Testis; PACAP; Rat; Stamp preparation; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Investigation method; Ultrastructure; Rodentia; Localization; Testicle; Male genital system; Neuropeptide; Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide
• ISSN: 0167-0115; 1873-1686
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-0115(98)00125-6

Radioimmunoassay has revealed an abundance of PACAP in the rat testis. In the present study, a novel stamp preparation together with light microscopic immunohistochemistry were used to investigate in detail the intracellular localization of PACAP-like immunoreactivity (PACAP-LI) in rat germ cells. Samples were obtained by pressing the freshly cut surfaces of the testes against glass slides. PACAP-LI was clearly identified in developing acrosomes using five antisera which recognize PACAP 38, or both PACAP 27 and PACAP 38. Immunoreactivity with the antisera specific to PACAP38 was strictly localized in the developing acrosomes of the spermatids but vanished in the mature spermatids. Using an antiserum which detects PACAP 27 specifically, little staining was observed. Based on the specificities of antisera used, it was suggested that the PACAP-LI in the acrosomes represents mainly PACAP 38-LI. In addition, the present results supported the usefulness of the stamp preparation for immunohistochemical study of testicular tissues.