SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF SERPIN 1F IN RAT EPIDIDYMIS

MONCLUS MA; SIMÓN L; SAEZ LANZELLOTTI TANIA ESTEFANIA; VINCENTI A.E; FORNÉS M.W

Mendoza

Congreso; XXXI Reunion anual de la Soc. de Biologia de Cuyo; 2012

Soc. de Biologia de Cuyo

Epididymal sperm association is a phenomenon observed in many mammals? species. When mature sperm reach the epididymal cauda, sperm aggregates by their heads conforming typical structures. After the ejaculation, the sperm detach by their own movement and the sperm associations finally disappear, producing a free a motile cells suspension. This process is intimately related to the maturation status of these cells. In previous works we isolated and identified SERPIN 1F in the caudal luminal fluid of mature rats. This protein is a member of the Serpins family (Serin proteases inhibitors). We demonstrated that SERPIN 1F was involved in sperm re association during in vitro assays. Trying to identify the site of expression of this protein, we isolate RNA from different epididymal regions and from other organs. By RT-PCR and PCR using primers specifically designed, we detected the presence of the SERPIN 1F mRNA along the epididymal duct and vas deferens, but not in any other tissues.