Adiponectin and its receptors gene expression in the reproductive tract of ram

Adiponectin is a 30 kDa adipocytokine secreted primarily from adipose tissue in several mammalian species. Recent evidence has shown that adiponectin and its receptors are expressed in different reproductive tissues such as ovary, endometrium and this novel endocrine system has important roles in regulation of male and female fertility. To date, there are no reports about the expression of adiponectin and its receptors in male reproductive tract of human and animals. In this study we detect local gene expression of adiponectin and its two receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in the reproductive tract of ram using realtime-PCR. Adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 transcripts were detected in testes, epididymides (caput, corpus, and cauda), vesicular and bulbourethral glands, while adiponectin was not found in vasa deferentia. The level of AdipoR2 expression in different parts of male reproductive tract was more than AdipoR1 expression level (p < 0.05). The expression levels adiponectin and its receptors were higher in testes and copus of epididymides in compared to other tissues (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of adiponectin and its receptors were higher in vesicular gland than that in bulbourethral glands (p < 0.05). We provide novel evidence for the expression of adiponectin and its two receptors in male reproductive tract, suggest that adiponectin produced locally from testes and epithelium of male reproductive tissues may influence male fertility.