The expression pattern of the glucose transporter GLUT-5 in the testis during the spermatogenic cycle of the vespertilionid bat Scotophilus heathi

The aims of this study were to investigate the localization and rate of expression of GLUT-5 protein during the spermatogenic cycle of Scotophilus heathi and to determine whether the expression of testicular GLUT-5 was under androgenic control. This study showed localization of GLUT-5 mainly in the spermatogonia, spermatids, spermatozoa and Leydig cells of the testis in S. heathi. Western blot analysis showed marked variation in the rate of expression of GLUT-5 protein in the testis during the reproductive cycle, in which peak expression of GLUT-5 in the testis coincided with the period of peak spermatogenesis and mating. Treatment with flutamide (an anti-androgen) caused a dose-dependent decrease in the expression of GLUT-5 protein in the testis that suggested that the expression of GLUT-5 was under androgenic control. We propose that GLUT-5 plays an important role in the transport into spermatozoa of the fuel that is required for prolonged storage in the female genital tract in S. heathi. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.