Abstract:

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of testosterone on the expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs 16 （Adamts16） gene in sertoli cells and spermatogonia of neonatal rats, and to assess the relationship between the Adamts16 gene and rat cryptorchidism. [Method] RT-qPCR assay was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of Adamts16 gene in sertoli cells and spermatogonia of rats cultured with different concentrations of testosterone （10^-6, 10^-7, 10^-8 and 10^-9 mol/L） for 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. The optimal concentration and time for testosterone to induce the expression of Adamts16 gene in mRNA level in sertoli cells and spermatogonia was determined. The testicular position of wild type and Adamts16 gene knockout rats 2, 4 and 8 days after birth was observed using HE staining. [Result] The highest relative mRNA expression level of Adamts16 gene in sertoli cells of rats was observed when induced with 10^-6 mol/L testosterone for 6 h, and that in spermatogonia was found when induced with 10^-7 mol/L testosterone for 24 h. Compared with the wild type rats, Adamts16 gene knockout rats had slower orchiocatabasis. [Conclusion] Testosterone could promote the mRNA expression of Adamts16 gene in sertoli cells and spermatogonia of neonatal rats. The deletion of Adamts16 gene could cause cryptorchidism in rats.

Key words: testosterone, sertoli cell, spermatogonia, Adamts16 gene