Expression of polysialic acid, alpha- and beta-catenins in adult toad testis in hibernation stage and after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment

The Polysialic Acid (PSA), glycosydic moiety of the Neural Cell Adhesion Mo lecule (N-CAM), and alpha- and beta-Catenins, which mediate interaction bet ween Cadherins and cytoskeletal proteins, participate in cell adhesion phen omena in numerous organs and tissues. We have performed an immunohistochemi cal analysis, in hibernating toad testis and in GnRH-reactivated hibernatin g animals. In hibernating toads we could demonstrate PSA-immunoreactivity ( PSA-IR) within the seminiferous tubules, in clusters of primary spermatocyt es, spermatids and spermatozoa, in follicular and Sertoli cells. PSA-LR was seen in peritubular, Leydig and efferent duct cells. In GnRH-treated toads PSA-LR persists in primary spermatocyte groups, alpha-Catenin is localized in the basal laminae of seminiferous tubules and in Leydig cells of hibern ating toads. This did not change after hormonal treatment. In hibernating t oads, beta-catenin was detected only in Leydig cells and within seminiferou s tubules on basal spermatocystes and limiting spermatozoa clusters. In GnR H-treated toads, the beta-Catenin-IR was less intense in Leydig cells and v anished within seminiferous tubules.