Vimentin expression profiles in the testis and epididymis of prepubertal to aged African greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Abstract

Introduction: Vimentin is a cytoskeletal protein that is expressed in different regions of the testicular and epididymal parenchyma with principal function of structural support. There is dearth of literature on testicular and epididymal vimentin expression in different ages of African greater cane rat (AGCR). Hence, this study investigated vimentin expression profiles in the testis and epididymis of prepubertal to aged AGCR. Methods: Twenty healthy AGCR procured from a commercial cane rat farm were used for this study. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5) as follows; Group 1: prepubertal (1-4 months), Group 2: pubertal (5-11 months), Group 3: adult (12-30 months) and Group 4: aged (>30 months). Testicular and epididymal samples were harvested and processed for immunohistochemistry using anti-vimentin marker. Results: Testicular vimentin was expressed in the interstitium, perinuclear region and basal aspect of Sertoli cells and along the tip of elongated spermatids. In the various segments of the epididymis, vimentin expression was confined to the peritubular coat and interstitium (stroma and perivascular components). Vimentin staining intensity in the testis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the adult group relative to others and appeared to increase with age. For the epididymis, significantly higher (p < 0.05) vimentin intensity was observed prepubertally and decreased with age advancement. Significance: The result from this study has demonstrated that the testes of the adult AGCR as well as the epididymal segments of the prepubertal rat had increased vimentin intensities which are indicative of marked reproductive activity and robust content of undifferentiated cells respectively.