Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2021, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (5): 1317-1327.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2021.05.017

• ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Different Feeding Levels on Testis Development and the Expression of Steroidogenesis-Related Genes and Androgen Receptor (AR) in Sheep

SHI Lei, NIU Hongze, YAO Xiaolei, SONG Ruigao, Lü Lihua, ZHANG Chunxiang, ZHANG Jianxin, REN Youshe*   

  1. College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
  • Received:2020-08-31 Online:2021-05-23 Published:2021-05-22

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different feeding levels on testicular development, testosterone (T) concentration, the expression of testosterone synthesis-related genes and androgen receptor (AR) in testis of sheep. Eighteen healthy 4-month-old Dorper×Jinzhong crossed F1 ram lambs with similar body weight of ((35±0.5) kg) were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups for a comparative slaughter trial. They were offered one type of feed at 100%(AL group), 65%(AL65 group) and 40%(AL40 group) of ad libitum intake, respectively. When any lamb in AL group reached a body weight of 50 kg, all animals were slaughtered. After the testicular circumference and length were examined, tissue samples were collected for analyzing testosterone concentration and histological parameters using ELISA and H-E staining method, respectively. The expression of testosterone synthesis-related genes and AR mRNA were detected using quantitative real-time PCR. Localization and quantification of AR in testis of lambs were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. The results showed that the length and circumference of testis in the AL40 group were significantly lower than those in the AL group(P<0.05), no significant difference was observed between the AL40 and AL65 groups(P>0.05). The thickness of germinal epithelium of lambs in AL40 group was not significantly different from that in AL65 group, but both were significantly lower than that in AL group (P<0.05). The density of spermatogenic cells and leydig cells were remarkably increased with the increasing feeding levels(P<0.05). Testosterone concentration, the expression of STAR, 3β-HSD and AR genes and AR protein were also significantly increased(P<0.05). Immunopositive product of AR was detected in leydig cells,primary spermatocytes, spermatids, peritubular myoid cells and perivascular smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, the testicular development, T level, the expression of testosterone synthesis-related genes and AR were regulated by dietary nutrition level. Dietary nutrition could modulate the process of spermatogenesis by regulating T concentration and the sensitivity of spermatogenic cells to T, which could influence the sexual maturation and reproductive performance of male animals.

Key words: feeding level, sheep, testis, testosterone, androgen receptor

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