Associação de expressões gênicas ligadas à espermatogênese com as características anatomopatológicas testiculares de búfalos (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

The population structure of buffaloes in Brazil in recent years has been facing problems and because of this, an alternative for breeders is the introduction of new animals to the herd aiming at the faster multiplication of this superior genetic material. However, this improvement in the buffalo herd will only be possible if there is physiological and genetic knowledge of the relevant characteristics associated with reproductive efficiency. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate samples of buffalo testicles, coming from the States of Amapá and Pará, obtained in a slaughterhouse, organized according to age groups: 12 to 24 months, 25 to 30 months, 31 to 55 months and older than 55 months. The samples were used to produce microscope slides for the study of anatomopathological and morphometric findings of seminiferous tubules, and for gene analysis. RNA extraction enabled the identification of P450scc, 3β-HSD, P450c17, CYP19A1 (P450arom), STAR, PTGS1 (COX-1) and PTGS2 (COX-2) genes, through RT-PCR. Among the results of anatomopathology were found: calcification, degeneration, fibrosis, atrophy and orchitis. Germ cells were counted in the morphometry: Sertoli, there was no statistical difference between the groups; Spermatocyte I and II, with statistical difference between the extremity groups. For the expression of P450scc genes, there was a statistical difference between the age groups of 12 to 24 months, 25 to 30 months and 31 to 55 months, where the age group older than 55 months was statistically equal to 25 to 30 months and 31 to 55 months. As for the 3β-HSD gene, there was a statistical difference between the age range of 12 to 24 months and for the others. The P450c17 and STAR genes showed no statistical difference between the age groups. For the CYP19A1 gene (P450arom) there was only a statistical difference in the age group 31 to 55 months. While for the PTGS1 (COX-1) and PTGS2 (COX-2) genes, there was a statistical difference between the age groups 25 to 30 months and 31 to 55 months. These findings suggest that these factors are related to changes in the ability to synthesize steroids in the buffalo testicles during puberty and aging. This work can be complemented with future experiments.