INTERFERON-ALPHA-2B MODULATES BETA-GALACTOSIDE ALPHA-2,6-SIALYLTRANSFERASE GENE-EXPRESSION IN RAT TESTES

Sperm surface glycoproteins are modified during passage through the ep ididymis, a process believed to be important in the production of func tionally mature spermatozoa. The effect of various cytokines on reprod uctive events has recently been investigated, with conflicting results , In the present investigation, the effect of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN alpha 2b) on sialyltransferase (ST) activity and beta-galactoside alp ha-2,6-sialyltransferase (Gal 2,6-ST) mRNA expression was studied in r at testicular tissue, The results revealed the presence of Gal 2,6-ST mRNA in rat testicular tissue, similar in molecular size to that found previously in rat spleen, lung, ovary, kidney, heart, and brain, In a ddition, we observed that IFN alpha 2b reduced Gal 2,6-ST mRNA and ST activity in rat testes by a comparable magnitude, These findings provi de insight into an additional mechanism by which cytokines may affect the reproductive system.