To investigate the role of Hsp70-2 gene in germ cell apoptosis induced by h
eat stress, its expression changes were examined in rat normal and unilater
al cryptorchid testes by using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry,
and northern blot analysis techniques. The results showed that the express
ion level of Hsp70-2 gene declined slightly at the early stage of germ cell
apoptosis. and dropped dramatically when most of the germ cells were under
going apoptosis on day 7.5 after the induction of cryptorchidism. This repo
rt suggests for the first time that Hsp70-2 gene might not inhibit the apop
tosis of germ cells at the early stage in cryptorchid testes. Hsp70-2 gene
does not belong to the immediate early related genes that are responsible f
or germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress.