VEGF和Flt-1在精索静脉曲张大鼠附睾中的表达变化

目的研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体Flt-1在实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)大鼠附睾组织中的表达变化,探讨它们与精索静脉曲张(VC)的关系及致男性不育的病理生理学机制。方法建立青春期雄性SD大鼠ELV模型,采用免疫组化SP法检测ELV及对照组附睾中VEGF和Flt-1的表达。结果 VEGF和Flt-1蛋白在大鼠附睾中均有表达,并具有细胞和区域特异性。ELV4周时双侧附睾中VEGF蛋白的表达明显上调(P<0.01),8周时则显著下降(P<0.01);而Flt-1蛋白在ELV4周左侧显著下降(P<0.01),右侧未见明显差异(P>0.05),8周组均显著下降(P<0.01)。结论 ELV引起大鼠附睾中VEGF和Flt-1表达量发生变化,可能影响精子的成熟,是VC引起男性生育力下降甚至不育的原因之一。

Effects of Experimental Varicocele on VEGF and Flt-1 in the Epididymis of Adolescent Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of experimental left varicocele(ELV) on the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and its receptor Flt-1 proteins in the epididymis of adolescent rats,attempt to discover the pathophysiology of varicocele in male infertility.Methods The ELV modle of Sprague-Dawley(SD) male adolescent rats were established,and the expression of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in epididymis were detected by immunohistochemistry after surgery.Results In the epididymis,the cell-specific and region-specific expression of VEGF and Flt-1 protein was shown in the epididymal epithelium.Immunohistochemistry results showed notable increasing of VEGF protein expression in ELV 4-week group compared with that of the corresponding control group(P < 0.01),but decreasing in ELV 8-week group.In ELV 4-week group left epididymis occurred remarkable reductions of Flt-1 protein compared with the control group(P < 0.01),but there was no statistic difference between right part and control group(P > 0.05),the results showed notable increasing expression in ELV 8-week(P < 0.01).Conclusions ELV leads to changes in the expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in the epididymis of adolescent rats,and consequently affect spermiotelcosis,which may be one of the reasons for varicocele-induced male infertility or subfertility.