Immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the human fetal and adult male reproductive tracts

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2000-09, Vol.85 (9), p.3436-3441
• Main Authors: KIRSCHENBAUM, Alexander, LIOTTA, Dara R, SHEN YAO, LIU, Xin-Hua, KLAUSNER, Adam P, UNGER, Pamela, SHAPIRO, Ellen, LEAV, Irwin, LEVINE, Alice C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Ejaculatory Ducts - embryology; Ejaculatory Ducts - enzymology; Enzymes and enzyme inhibitors; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genitalia, Male - embryology; Genitalia, Male - enzymology; Gestational Age; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Isoenzymes - metabolism; Male; Membrane Proteins; Muscle, Smooth - embryology; Muscle, Smooth - enzymology; Oxidoreductases; Pregnancy; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Prostate - embryology; Prostate - enzymology; Seminal Vesicles - embryology; Seminal Vesicles - enzymology
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.85.9.3436

The first rate-limiting step in the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGs is catalyzed by cyclooxygenase (Cox). Two isoforms of Cox have been identified, Cox-1 (constitutively expressed) and Cox-2 (inducible form), which are the products of two different genes. In this study we describe the immunohistochemical localization of Cox-1 and -2 in the human male fetal and adult reproductive tracts. There was no Cox-1 expression in fetal samples (prostate, seminal vesicles, or ejaculatory ducts), and only minimal expression in adult tissues. There was no expression of Cox-2 in the fetal prostate. In a prepubertal prostate there was some Cox-2 expression that localized exclusively to the smooth muscle cells of the transition zone. In adult hyperplastic prostates, Cox-2 was strongly expressed in smooth muscle cells, with no expression in the luminal epithelial cells. Cox-2 was strongly expressed in epithelial cells of both fetal and adult seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts. The Cox-2 staining intensity in the fetal ejaculatory ducts during various times of gestation correlated with previously reported testosterone production rates by the fetal testis. These data indicate that Cox-2 is the predominant isoform expressed in the fetal male reproductive tract, and its expression may be regulated by androgens. The distinct cell type-specific expression patterns of Cox-2 in the prostate (smooth muscle) vs. the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts (epithelium) may reflect the different roles of PGs in these tissues.