Abstract
Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.