Expression patterns and changes of the LCN2 gene in the testes of induced cryptorchidism and busulfan-treated mice

ABSTRACT

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) was known to play various roles in different type cells; however, little was known about the effect of LCN2 in male fertility. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression pattern of LCN2 with increasing age in mice, and to obtain insight into the role of LCN2 in mice testes by induced cryptorchidism and busulfan-treated infertility. In situ hybridization showed that LCN2 was localized primarily in Leydig cells, but was absent in Sertoli and germ cells. Its expression in testes exhibited an age-related increase from day 1 to 8 months, then reduced by the twelth month. The mRNA and protein levels of LCN2 in the testes of both infertile models increased as measured by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. LCN2 mRNA and protein levels were higher (p<0.05) in busulfan treated mice than that of cryptorchidism. These observations have shown that LCN2 is developmentally regulated and highly expressed in the Leydig cells of mouse testes.

KEYWORDS:

• Cryptorchidism
• lipocalin-2
• male reproduction
• testis

Acknowledgment

The authors thank all the staff.

Declaration of interest

This project was financially supported by the National Science Foundation Project, China (31502131 and 31572585). The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zhenlong Kang

Helped with the design of the study and manuscript revision: ZT; Carried out all experiments: ZK, NQ; Participated in coordination and data collection: ZT. Analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript: YL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Na Qiao

Helped with the design of the study and manuscript revision: ZT; Carried out all experiments: ZK, NQ; Participated in coordination and data collection: ZT. Analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript: YL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Zhigang Tan

Helped with the design of the study and manuscript revision: ZT; Carried out all experiments: ZK, NQ; Participated in coordination and data collection: ZT. Analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript: YL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Zhaoxin Tang

Helped with the design of the study and manuscript revision: ZT; Carried out all experiments: ZK, NQ; Participated in coordination and data collection: ZT. Analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript: YL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ying Li

Helped with the design of the study and manuscript revision: ZT; Carried out all experiments: ZK, NQ; Participated in coordination and data collection: ZT. Analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript: YL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.