Abstract:
The post-hatch development of immunoreactivity to desmin, smooth muscle
actin (SMA) and vimentin in the testicular capsule and interstitial tissue of
day-old to adult quails was described in this study. The tunica albuginea of the
testicular capsule was composed mainly of myoid cells. A zonal arrangement of
desmin and SMA immunostaining was observed in myoid cells of the tunica
albuginea in 1- to 24-day-old quails. Immunostaining for SMA and desmin
was uniform in the tunica albuginea of adult birds. Vimentin immunostaining
in the testicular capsule was demonstrated in mesothelial cells, endothelial cells
and fibroblasts. The interstitial tissue contained mesenchymal cells, peritubular
myoid cells, Leydig cells and fibroblasts. Desmin-immunopositive mesenchymal
cells were present in the interstitial tissue of 1- to 17-day-old quails. Peritubular
myoid cells expressed strong desmin immunostaining in all developmental
stages, while the intensity of SMA immunostaining increased with testicular
maturation. Vimentin was demonstrated in Leydig cells and fibroblasts, while
the peritubular myoid cells displayed strong vimentin immunostaining only in
adult birds. Strong vimentin immunostaining was demonstrated in the endothelial
cells of capsular and interstitial blood vessels. The tunica media of these
blood vessels displayed desmin and SMA immunostaining. The results of the
study have established that variability exists in the distribution and intensity of
desmin, SMA and vimentin immunostaining in the testicular capsule and interstitial
tissue of the post-hatch Japanese quail.
