Abstract
Hippo signaling pathway is essential for tissue development and homeostasis, while its specific role in male reproductive tract development is still unclear. The objective of this study is to elucidate the localization and expressions of key Hippo pathway components (MST1/2, LATS1/2 and YAP1) in male reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens) of prepubertal (3-month-old) and postpubertal (9-month-old) Hu sheep, as well as in the cauda epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. Results showed that the Hippo pathway proteins were diversely localized in male reproductive tract portions, and most of their expression levels increased during sheep testicular maturation. In addition, these Hippo components were mainly localized and highly expressed in ejaculated spermatozoa compared with cauda epididymal spermatozoa. In ejaculated spermatozoa, LATS1 was localized in the acrosomal head region, and LATS2 and YAP1 were expressed in the midpiece part. Taken together, the presence of Hippo signaling cascade in the pubertal development of male reproductive tract and spermatogenesis of Hu sheep, provides new insights on the function of these components in the process of male sexual maturation, capacitation and fertilization.