Analysis of C-TYPE natriuretic peptide and receptor protein NPR-b expression in the male reproductive system

ABSTRACT Analysis of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Receptor Protein NPR-B Expression in the Male Reproductive System Studies in the literature have shown that natriuretic peptides (NPs) play an important role in the regulation of testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. In the light of this information; Expressions of CNP and NPR-B proteins were analyzed by Western blot, Real Time RT-qPCR, and ELISA methods to clarify their contribution to the spermatogenesis process and especially to the production of seminal fluid at different stages of development. While it was observed that the expression of CNP and NPR-B proteins was not observed in the cells of the spermatogenic cell line in the neonatal day 1 and postnatal day 5 mouse testis seminiferous tubule. Expression of CNP and NPR-B proteins was observed in postnatal 15, 35, and 50 days old mouse testicular tissue. CNP protein expression was observed only in postnatal 15-day-old mouse epididymis tissue, while expression of NPR-B protein was observed only in 50-day-old mouse epididymis tissue. CNP and NPR-B protein expression was observed in postnatal 15, 35, and 50-day-old mouse prostate and seminal vesicle tissues, while expression was not observed in vas deferens tissues. When NT-proCNP levels in neonatal 1 day, postnatal 5, 15, 35 and 50 days old male mouse genital tract tissue extracts were compared, results supporting immunohistochemical findings were shown in all groups. Expression of CNP and NPR-B protein was confirmed by western blot analysis in postnatal 50-day-old mouse testis, seminal vesicle and prostate tissues. Expression results of CNP and NPR-B genes in tissues belonging to all groups were not completely compatible with protein expression results. We can say that; the results obtained in our study suggest that the CNP/NPR-B pathway may be important in sperm motility and spermatogenesis. Keywords:CNP, infertility, NPR-B, reproductive system.