Arrested testis development in the cpk mouse may be the result of abnormalsteroid metabolism

Ke 6 is a 17 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase that is expressed in severa l somatic tissues as well as the female reproductive polycystic kidney dise ase. in three murine models, the cpk, jck and pcy mice. We also determined that in one of the murine models, the cpk mouse, the female reproductive or gans fail to mature properly and remain arrested at an early stage of devel opment. In this study, we report the expression of the Ke 6 protein in norm al male reproductive tissues by immunofluorescent staining. We determined i n the cpk mouse that the testes similar to the immature ovaries, is also un der-developed and arrested at an early developmental stage. Direct measurem ent of 17 beta HSD activity showed a conspicuous reduction in sex steroid m etabolism in the cpk:cpk testes. Our findings suggest that estrogen/androge n metabolism play an important role in the development of the urogenital sy stem. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.