Age-dependent expression of Pten and Smad4 genes in the urogenital system of Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To analyze Pten and Smad4 gene expression in the urogenital system of Wistar rats in differents ages. METHODS: Pten and Smad4 mRNA expression was assessed in the bladder, ventral prostate, testis, ovaries, and uterus by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis using the ANOVA (p<0.05). RESULTS: Pten levels showed a progressive age-dependent increase in the bladder (male and female) and prostate and were elevated in the ovaries of the middle-aged. In the uterus, no statistically significant differences were observed; in the testis, increased and decreased levels were seen in young adult and middle-aged rats, respectively. Smad4 expression was downregulated in the ovaries of the pubertal group but increased in the middle age group. In the uterus, Smad4 expression in the oldest group was higher than the others groups. In the testis, Smad4 expression steadily declined with age; in the prostate, it was higher in middle-aged rats than in younger rats. A similar trend was observed in the bladder of male and female middle-aged rats, compared with the pubertal group. CONCLUSION: The changes in phosphatase tensin homologue and Smad4 mRNA expression in Wistar rats appear to be associated with hormonal modifications in puberty and may be related to early follicular and testicular development. .

Arginase status in bull reproductive system

Seven healthy and sexually adult bulls were slaughtered and their reproductive system was isolated. Different tissues including: testes, epididymis, vas deferan, ampulla, accessory sex glands [seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethra], muscular and mucosal layer of pelvic and penile urethra were carefully dissected. Total soluble protein and arginase specific activity [ASA] were measured by Lowry and modified paranitrophenylglyoxal [PNPG] method, respectively. The results indicate that the highest arginase specific activity [51.28 +/- 8.79 x10[-3] IU/mg of protein] is present in muscle of pelvic part of urethra. Based on ASA, bulls reproductive system was categorized in three tissue groups: high, medium and low. Muscular layer of penile urethra with the highest ASA level [> 50 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] is in the 1st group, Testes, bulbourethral gland and mucosal layer of penile urethra [30-40 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] are in the2nd group and the rest parts [<25 X10[-3] IU/mg protein] are in 3rd group. Significant differences observed between classified tissues [p<0.05]. The present study indicate that ASA is present at different levels in all parts of bull reproductive system. This condition may be related to different rate of cell proliferation and differentiation or some other unknown physiological and biochemical activities of the enzyme in this system