Spatial and temporal distribution of atrial natriuretic factor in the rat testis

The atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a cardiac hormone whose gene and receptor are widely expressed in extracardiac tissues and organs. ANF induces its biological effects by binding to its specific guanylyl-cyclase-A receptor, which synthesizes the intracellular second messenger cGMP. Increasing evidences indicate that the testis shows the highest reactivity of stimulation of guanylate cyclase by ANF. The well-established functionally active ANF receptors in seminiferous tubules raise the question of the origin and function of ANF in the testis. Therefore, the current study was carried out to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of ANF in the rat testis by use of immunocytochemistry. Our immunocytochemical results showed that at different pre- and postnatal ages of testicular development ANF was constantly expressed in Leydig cell cytoplasm. However, the intensity of immunoreaction varied between the different Leydig cell populations (fetal, progenitor and immature) and apparently depends on the acquisition of testosterone producing ability. In seminiferous tubules ANF staining was established in the cytoplasm of the developing spermatocytes, in degenerating germ cells (23-day of age) in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, cap phase of acrosomal development and in the spermatids (55-day of age). The observed staining patterns suggest a broader spectrum of ANF activities and a possible participation in the whole process of regulation of germ cell development. Our data provide additional support for the hypothesis that ANF plays a major role in autocrine/paracrine regulation of the rat male gonad.