Expression of Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor (PEDF) in Mouse Testicular Tissue; Possible Involvement in Testicular Function - Israeli Fertility Association Conference-Ayala 2017, May 8-9, 2017

Mahmoud Huleihel ¹ Noy Bagdadi ¹ Elina Abayev ¹ Maram Abofoul-Azab ¹ Eitan Lunenfeld ²

¹The Shraga Segal Dept. Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva
²Dep. OB/GYN,The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Soroka Medical Center, and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva

Introduction Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) is released as a soluble, monomeric glycoprotein. Spermatogenesis occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testis, which are avascular. However, there are blood vessels in the interstitial tissue close to the seminiferous tubules wall. Recently, it has been shown that cultures of human testicular peritubular cells constitutively secrete PEDF; which was suggested to prevent vascularization of the seminiferous tubules.

Aim: To determine the cellular origin and expression levels of PEDF in testicular tissue of immature and adult mice.

Materials and methods: Sexually immature and adults mice were used. Homogenized testicular tissues were used for RNA extraction to be evaluated by qPCR for the levels of PEDF.Testicular tissues were Bowns` fixed and paraffin-embedded, and sections were used to be stained by immunohistochemical staining for PEDF using specific antibodies. In addition, testicular cells were isolated to be examined to determine cellular origin of PEDF using double immunofluorescence staining using specific antibodies for PEDF and each examined testicular cell type, peritubular cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and macrophages.

Results: Our results show that all examined testicular cells (peritubular, Sertoli, Leydig and macrophages) produce PEDF. The expression levels of PEDF in testicular tissue were decreased with age (1-12 weeks)

Conclusions: This is the first study to show that mouse peritubular cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and macrophages constitutively produce PEDF. In addition, we showed for the first time that PEDF levels are expressed in age dependent manner. We suggest that PEDF may be involved in normal development of spermatogenesis.