Androgen Receptor Localization in the Genital Tissues of the Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii)

Abstract

Androgens perform the their effects on target tissues mainly through the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, AR localization was investigated in female and male dwarf hamsters genital tissues. In the present study, 6 female and 6 male animals were used. After anesthesia, the tissues to be worked were quickly removed from the body and fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained after microwave antigen retrieval for immunohistochemistry. Although AR positive immunostaining was observed only in cell nuclei in testis, caput epididymis, prostate gland and vesicle seminalis tissues, it was observed in cytoplasm or nucleus of the cells in the ovarium and oviduct tissues. AR localization in dwarf hamster male and female genital tissues was similar to other species. The presence of AR in genital tissues supports the idea that androgens are essential for these tissues.