Somatostatin in the boar reproductive system

Abstract
Somatostatin (SRIF) is a widely distributed regulatory peptide. Recently, it was shown that human seminal plasma contains high concentrations of SRIF. In order to find the cellular source of seminal SRIF we have examined the presence of SRIF in porcine urogenital tissues. The concentration of SRIF in male accessory reproductive tissues of 3-month-old pigs (N = 4) ranged from 1 to 17 nmol/kg. In the boar, only the prostate gland contained significant amounts of SRIF (median 7 nmol/kg, range 3-18 nmol/kg, N = 4). Testis and semen contained no SRIF. Gel chromatography of extracts of the male accessory sex glands and epididymis showed both SRIF-28 and SRIF-14, whereas urinary bladder contained mainly SRIF-14. In conclusion, the results show a considerable species, tissue and developmental variation in the expression of SRIF in the genitourinary tract.

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