Expression changes of tau protein and microtubule-associated proteins in testis intersitium of rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of the tau protein and microtubule-associated proteins in the testis interstitium of aged and young rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into a young group(6 months, n = 10) and an aged group(28 months, n = 10). The two steps immunohistochemistry method with the antibody against tau protein and MAP alpha was performed on the testis tissues of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that the immunoreactive cells of tau protein of the testis interstilial of the aged rats obviously increased(P < 0.001) than those of the young, while the immunoreactive cells of the microtubule-associated proteins decreased(P < 0.01) in the aged.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The changes in the expression of the tau protein and microtubule-associated proteins may be related to the aging process of the testis.</p>