Imunolocalization of androgenic enzymes, antimullerian hormone and androgen receptors in the testes and epididymis of Cavia porcellus during embryonic development

• Grant number: 18/04106-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Antônio Chaves de Assis Neto
• Grantee: Gisele Augusta Amorim de Lemos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study of sexual differentiation has been much approached in several studies, in order to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms developed during intrauterine development, as to comprehend some anomalies and pathologies acquired during this process. Starting from undifferentiated gonads, under the action of chromosomal factors the testicles are originate, which will produce androgen hormones that will be responsible for the evolution of the mesonephric ducts, which will form the epididymal ducts, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles. The anti Müllerian hormone produced by Sertoli cells participates in the regression of the Müllerian ducts (paramesonephric ducts). However, despite the knowledge about the importance of these mechanisms, was not yet been studied about the immunolocalization of the androgenic receptors and about the participation of the anti Müllerian hormone in the maintenance of the mesonephric ducts and their differentiation in epididymal ducts. Thence, the present study aims to establish the morphological and morphometric development patterns during the gonadal and epididymal ducts differentiation, approaching the immunolocalization and quantitative variations of androgen receptors, the androgenic enzymes 5-alpha-reductase and 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and the anti Müllerian hormone presents in testicles and epididymis along the intrauterine development of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Throughout the research, will be evaluated the pattern of morphological and morphometric development and tissue adjustments of testicles and epididymis, using light microscopy. In addition to, will also be demonstrated the molecular mechanisms along the testicles end epididymis differentiation by the immunolocalization analysis of androgen receptors, anti Müllerian hormone and androgenic enzymes 5-alpha-reductase and 17-beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, through the use of immunohistochemistry technique.