Spatial and temporal expression of c-mos in mouse testis during postnatal development

Shao-Feng Cao, Ding Li, Qing Yuan, Xin Guan, Chen Xu

Department of Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China

Correspondence to Dr Chen Xu (chenx@shsmu.edu.cn)

Aim: To immunolocalize the c-mos gene product and to investigate its spatial and temporal expression in mouse testis during postnatal development. Methods: Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization techniques were used to examine c-mos mRNA and indirect immunofluorescence was used to localize c-Mos protein in mouse testis on postnatal days 14, 21, 25, 28, 30, 35, 49 and 70. Results: c-mos mRNA remained low on postnatal days 14_21, increased abruptly from day 25 and peaked on day 30. Its levels decreased a little on day 35 and became almost stable thereafter until day 70. c-mos mRNA was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the spermatocytes and round spermatids. The nuclear staining was much stronger than the cytoplasmic staining. Using a polyclonal anti-c-Mos antibody, Western blotting detected a single band at 43 kDa in testis lysate. c-Mos protein was exclusively localized to the elongating spermatids and was first detected on postnatal day 30. The number of c-Mos-positive spermatids increased progressively till day 49 and stabilized thereafter. Conclusion: The c-mos gene displays a spatial and temporal expression pattern in the mouse testis during postnatal development at both the mRNA and protein level. This suggests that c-mos might play important roles in spermatogenesis.

Please indicate your abstract belongs to which one of the following topics.

1. Men's Health: Global and Regional Perspectives

2. Sperm Biology and Fertilization

3. Male Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology

4. Male Sexual Dysfunction

5. Male Ageing, Androgen Deficiency and Therapy

6. Prostate Diseases and Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment of Prostate Cancer

7. Environment Hazards to Men's Health

8. Prevention of Life-threatening STDs/HIV Infections

9. Prevention of Overpopulation and Male Contraception

10. Alternative / Traditional Medicine and Andrology

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