Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the innate immune system in male chicken reproductive organs by analyzing the expression of avian beta-defensins (avBDs) genes and localizing the avBDs proteins. The expression of avBDs were analysed by RT-PCR and selected avBDs proteins, including avBD-11 and -12, were localized by immunohistochemistry in the testis and epidihymis. The RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of 9 types of avBDs (avBD-3 to -5, -7 and -9 to -13) in the testis. In the epididymis, expression of 10 types of avBDs (avBD-1 to -5, -7 and -9 to -12) were identified. In the testis, the immunoreaction products for immunoreactive (ir)-avBD-11 were found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. In the epididymis, the epithelial cells of efferent ducts contained dense ir-avBD-11 and ir-avBD-12. The immunoreaction products of these avBDs were negligible in the epithelium of epididymal ducts. These results suggest that the testis and epididymis are able to synthesize avBDs to form innate immune system in chickens. It may play significant roles in the host defense against pathogens in these tissues.
