Immunohistochemical Localization of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in the Testis of Meishan boar

Abstract

Testicular immunoreactive insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was initially detected in the testis of Meishan boar. The antibody stained the seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. In the tubules, a strong immunostaining was observed in the luminal side of the seminiferous epithelium. Leydig cells exhibited intense staining for IGF-I . Such strong binding to Leydig cells has not previously been demonstrated. We are now studying whether this staining pattern is characteristic to the Meishan boar.