Immunohistochemical analysis of extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression in mature and immature bulls' testes and epididymides

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has been implicated in mammalian testicular and epididymal development. This study aimed to investigate ERK expression the immature mature testes epididymides of bulls. We evaluated using immunoblot analysis immunohistochemistry. Immunoblot revealed that bull had higher phosphorylated (pERK) than epididymides. pERK immunoreactivity was testes. localised mostly spermatogonia, undifferentiated sustentacular (Sertoli) cells, interstitial (Leydig) cells testes, as well in some spermatocytes spermatids In epididymides, body tail head, whereas broadly distributed throughout stereocilia, basal connective tissues. distribution head similar few tissue were expressed Collectively, these results suggest is testis epididymis bulls with varying intensities, role male reproductive organs may include specific function its