Estrogens are steroid hormones that affect a wide range of physiological functions. The effect of estrogens on male reproductive tissues and sperm cells through specific receptors is essential for sperm development, maturation, and function. Although estrogen receptors (ERs) have been studied in several mammalian species, including humans, they have not yet been described in bull spermatozoa and reproductive tissues. In this study, we analyzed the presence of all types of ERs (ESR1, ESR2, and GPER1) in bull testicular and epididymal tissues and epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa, and we characterize them here for the first time. We observed different localizations of each type of ER in the sperm head by immunofluorescent microscopy. Additionally, using a selected polyclonal antibody, we found that each type of ER in bull sperm extracts had two isoforms with different molecular masses. The detailed detection of ERs is a prerequisite not only for understanding the effect of estrogen on all reproductive events but also for further studying the negative effect of environmental estrogens (endocrine disruptors) on processes that lead to fertilization.

• Klíčová slova
• bovine, epididymis, plasma membrane, reproduction, steroid hormones, testes,
• MeSH
• epididymis metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory spřažené s G-proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• rozmnožování * MeSH
• skot metabolismus   MeSH
• spermie metabolismus   MeSH
• testis metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• skot metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• receptory pro estrogeny MeSH
• receptory spřažené s G-proteiny MeSH