Immunolocalization of Inhibin/Activin Subunit Proteins During the Breeding Season in Testes and Scented Glands of Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular immunolocalization of inhibin a and inhibin/activin (beta(A) and beta(B)) subunits in the muskrat testes and scented glands during the breeding season. Inhibin a and inhibin/activin (beta(A) and beta(B)) subunits were expressed in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of testes and glandular cells of scented glands, respectively. Also, positive signals of inhibin a and inhibin/activin (beta(A) and beta(B)) subunits by Western blotting were both observed in testicular and scented glandular tissues. These results suggested that the testes and scented glands of the muskrats had the ability to synthesize inhibins and activins and that activins and inhibins might play an important role in testicular and scented glandular function in muskrats.