Location and distribution of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in the epididymis of bactrian camel
[Objective]The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of follicle-stimulating hor-mone receptor(FSHR)on the regulation of epididymal development and reproductive function in bactrian camel.[Method]The histological characteristics of FSH receptor in the epididymis of bactrian camel were analyzed by using the H.E staining,glycogen PAS and immunohistochemical SP methods combined with Image J statistical analysis.[Result]The H.E staining showed that the lumen of each part of the epididy-mis of bactrian camel was columnar ciliated epithelium,and the epithelial cells of the epididymal wall of adult bactrian camel were mainly composed of main cells and basal cells.The PAS positive reactions both in the head and tail of the epididymal duct were stronger than those in the body of the epididymal duct.The results of immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that FSHR was expressed in the head,body and tail of camel epididymis.The expression levels of FSHR in the epididymal duct of adult camel were significantly higher in the head and tail than in the body.The free margin of ciliated epithelial cells and interstitial vascular endothelial cells were dominant in the caput epididymis,and FSHR was mainly ex-pressed in basal cells in the epididymal body and cauda epididymis.[Conclusion]FSHR are associated with sperm maturation and involved in the mechanism of basecell-mediated cell phagocytosis and protection in the epididymis of bactrian camel.