Evaluation of Catsper gene expression in mouse testis at different ages

ABSTRACT

Recently, a novel gene was cloned and characterized namedCatSper, which codes for a unique Ca2+ channel that is expressedexcludively in the testis. It has crucial role in sperm motility, spermpenetration into the ovum and ultimately male fertility. In the present study we have evaluated the expression of this gene at different ages of mouseby Semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Material and Total RNA was extracted from testis of mouse usingRNX plus solution. Reverse Transcription was done by oligo dT and MMLVenzyme. cDNAs were amplified in PCR reaction for both CatSper and b2m[as an internal control] genes. After gel electrophoresis, intensity of signalfor each band was quantified by Labimage software. 1] There was no d expression of CatSper gene in mouse testis of1 day, 1 week and 2 weeks [pre-mature group] of age;2] Expression ofCatSper began with the age of three weeks with a gradual increase till twomonths of age and a gradual slight decrease in older age groups;however, the observed pattern of expression appeared not to bestatistically significant [p=0.592]. These results confirm previous data; that is there is a linkbetween expression of CatSper and fertilization in mouse. The resultsfurther reveal a link between CatSper expression profile and the age ofmouse in terms of sexual maturity