β-Endorphin is Present in the Male Reproductive Tract of Five Species1

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Abstract
Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated immunostainable β-endorphin-like material (β-EP) in Leydig cells and epithelia of the epididymis, seminal vesicle and vas deferens of the rat. These observations would be strengthened if it could be demonstrated that they were not a peculiarity of the rat. Accordingly, we now present immunocytochemical evidence for the presence of β-EP in the Leydig cells of mouse, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit. No immunoreactive material was identified in Sertoli, myoid, endothelial or germ cells of any of the species examined. Immunostainable β-EP was also demonstrated in the epididymides of mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, and rat, but not hamster. Immunostainable material was also present in the epithelia of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles of mouse and rat, the only two species thus far examined. Since β-EP was present in Leydig cells, we wondered whether this peptide could be identified in other steroid-producing tissues. When rat ovaries and adrenals were reacted with anti-β endorphin, staining was demonstrated in corpus luteum and adrenal cortex. No staining was observed in the adrenal medulla or other portions of the ovary. In order to determine whether the β-EP detected in the testis and epididymis was derived from a pituitary source, animals were hypophysectomized and tissues examined 2 weeks later. Both the Leydig cells and the epididymal epithelium remained immunostainable. In summary, immunostainable β-EP has been identified in Leydig cells of five species. Stainable material is also present in the epithelium of other portions of the male reproductive tract and in steroid-secreting cells of the ovary and the adrenal. Such β-EP may have a paracrine function in the testis and other portions of the male reproductive tract.

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