Expression and hormonal modulation of the thromboxane A2 receptor gene in mammalian testicular arteries

Matteo, Maria; Cicinelli, Ettore; Sciorsci, Raffaele Luigi; Grandone, Elvira; Cardo, Giuseppe; Colaizzo, Donatella; Rizzo, Annalisa; Greco, Pantaleo

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.042

« Previous Next »Fertility and Sterility
Volume 85, Supplement 1 , Pages 1276-1280, April 2006

Expression and hormonal modulation of the thromboxane A2 receptor gene in mammalian testicular arteries

Presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, Berlin, June 27–30, 2004.

Maria Matteo, M.D.
- Operative Unit of Obstetric and Gynecology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- Reprint requests: Maria Matteo, M.D., via G. Zanardelli 83, 70 100, Bari, Italy (FAX: 39 0881 732350)
Ettore Cicinelli, M.D.
- I Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Raffaele Luigi Sciorsci, M.D.
- Department of Animal Production, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Elvira Grandone, M.D.
- Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis Unit, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,” Foggia, Italy
Giuseppe Cardo, M.D.
- Operative Unit of Urology “S. Giacomo” Hospital, Bari, Italy
Donatella Colaizzo, Biol.Sc.
- Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis Unit, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,” Foggia, Italy
Annalisa Rizzo, M.D.
- Department of Animal Production, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Pantaleo Greco, M.D.
- Operative Unit of Obstetric and Gynecology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

Received 12 April 2005; received in revised form 13 September 2005; accepted 13 September 2005.

Objective

Thromboxane A2 (TXA₂) is a biologically potent arachidonate metabolite which causes vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of TXA₂ receptors in mammalian testicular arteries and the influence of exogenous gonadotropin administration on their expression.

Design

Experimental study.

Setting

Experimental animals in an academic research environment.

Animal(s)

Seven rams aged 4–6 years, weighing 60–90 kg.

Intervention(s)

Both testicular arteries of seven rams were extracted before (from one testis) and after (from the opposite testis) IV administration of 5,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The expression of the TXA₂ receptor gene was investigated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by means of Student t test. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. A P value of <.01 was considered statistically significant.

Result(s)

Polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of TXA₂ messenger RNA receptor in all the basal samples, but the expression of TXA₂ receptor gene was undetectable in all the arteries obtained 24 h after the administration of hCG.

Conclusion(s)

These preliminary results demonstrated for the first time the presence of TXA₂ receptors in mammalian testicular arteries. Results also showed that their expression was down-regulated after hCG administration.

Key Words: Thromboxane A₂ receptor , testicular artery , hCG , ram