Expression of neuropeptide Y in rat testes and its significance / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assay the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat testes and to investigate the significance of NPY in the regulation of androgen production and spermatogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NPY mRNA levels in SD rat testes were measured by RT-PCR semi-quantity with beta-actin as internal control. NPY distribution was observed immunohistochemically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NPY gene expressed in the testes, showing the strong positive band in the PCR production electrophoresis gel. In the immunostaining slides, NPY was found positively expressed in the Leyding cell area and around the testicular vessels and tubules, but not in the seminiferous tubules.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was positive expression of NPY in the rat testes, which showed that NPY played a direct role in the regulation of testicular function.</p>