Histomorphological Comparisons and Expression Patterns of BOLL Gene in Sheep Testes at Different Development Stages

Abstract

<i>BOLL</i> is implicated in mammalian testicular function maintenance and spermatogenesis. To understand the expression patterns and biological functions of sheep <i>BOLL</i>, we examined the expression and immunolocalization of BOLL in the developing testes of Small-Tail Han sheep aged 0 days (D0), 2 months (2M), 5 months (5M), 1 year (1Y), and 2 years (2Y), by qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry methods. Firstly, morphological studies revealed that, in addition to spermatogonia, ordered and clear spermatocytes, as well as round and elongated spermatids and sperm, were found in the 1Y and 2Y testicular seminiferous tubules of the sheep testes, compared with the D0, 2M, and 5M testes, as analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining. The diameter and area of the seminiferous tubules, epithelial thickness, and the area and perimeter of the tubule lumens gradually increased with age. <i>BOLL</i> was specifically expressed in testes and upregulation of <i>BOLL</i> transcript expression was higher in the testes of the 1Y and 2Y groups than in those of the D0, 2M, and 5M groups. Similarly, BOLL protein was expressed mainly in the 1Y and 2Y testes, ranging from primary spermatocytes to round spermatids, as well as in the spermatozoa. This study is the first demonstration that sheep <i>BOLL</i> might serve as a key regulator of the spermiogenesis involved in sperm maturity, in addition to its role as a crucial meiotic regulator.