Hormonal Control of Vas Deferens Fluid Volume and Aquaporin Expression in Rats
November 2018
in “
Journal of molecular histology
”
TLDR Testosterone increases fluid secretion and aquaporin expression in the vas deferens, which is important for male fertility.
The study investigated the effects of testosterone on vas deferens fluid volume and aquaporin (AQP) expression in orchidectomized Sprague–Dawley rats. Testosterone increased the fluid secretion rate and osmolality in the vas deferens, effects that were counteracted by acetazolamide. Co-administration of flutamide or finasteride with testosterone reduced both fluid secretion rate and osmolality. Histological analysis showed an enlarged vas deferens lumen and thicker stroma. AQP-1, AQP-2, and AQP-9 were upregulated by testosterone, primarily at the apical membrane of the vas deferens epithelium. These findings suggested that testosterone-mediated increases in vas deferens fluid secretion, through upregulation of AQP-1, 2, and 9, might be crucial for maintaining fluid homeostasis and normal male fertility.
