Immunolocalization of Inhibin/Activin Subunit Proteins During the Breeding Season in Testes and Scented Glands of Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular immunolocalization of inhibin α and inhibin/activin (β_A and β_B) subunits in the muskrat testes and scented glands during the breeding season. Inhibin α and inhibin/activin (β_A and β_B) subunits were expressed in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of testes, and glandular cells of scented glands, respectively. Also, the positive signals of inhibin α and inhibin/activin (β_A and β_B) subunits by Western blotting were both observed in testicular and scented glandular tissues. These results suggested that testes and scented glands of the muskrats had the ability to synthesize inhibins and activins, and activins and inhibins might play an important involved role in testicular and scented glandular function of the muskrats.