Histological features of Jaculus jaculus male-reproductive system: detection of metalloproteinases in testes and seminal vesicles during the active-reproductive phase
Abstract
Our study explored the histological and histo-functional characteristics of the testis and seminal vesicles of Jaculus jaculus, collected from the Biskra (34° 51’ 0" N 5° 43’ 59.999" E) and M’sila regions in Algeria (35°42’20.99" N 4°32’30.98" E) from autumn to early spring, corresponding to activity and transitional periods of the reproductive cycle. An immunohistochemical analysis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was conducted on the seminal vesicles and testes during the active reproductive. The study utilized an indirect immunohistochemistry protocol with amplification through streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase. Histologically, seminiferous tubules in Jaculus jaculus, captured during the transitional period of the reproductive cycle, multinucleated giant cells of germinal origin were observed during the transitional phase of the reproductive cycle, reflecting a process of seasonal testicular remodelling. The histological structure of seminal vesicles appears highly characteristic of the studied species, with the vesicular epithelium organized into complex acinar glands surrounded by basal lamina and connective tissue. Gland cells secrete a heterogeneous product. In the testis, cells of the seminiferous epithelium express MMP-2 and MMP-9 in their cytoplasm, with a strong expression of MMP-2; however, both proteins are absent from the extracellular matrix. During the active period, in seminal vesicles, a significant immunohistochemical signal of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was observed in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, with no immunoexpression in the extracellular matrix. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are expressed in a pattern consistent with a potential role in the seasonal reproductive cycle.
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BibTeX
@article{zeghloul2026histological,
title = {{Histological features of Jaculus jaculus male-reproductive system: detection of metalloproteinases in testes and seminal vesicles during the active-reproductive phase}},
author = {Nesrine Zeghloul and Nemcha Lebaili-Benmoussa and Mohamed El Fadel Ousmaal and Salim Lamine and Nesrine Lina Gharnaout and Sabrina Lekmine and Nassim Moula and Walid Elfalleh and Fehmi Boufahja and Hamdi Bendif and Hichem Tahraoui and Abdeltif Amrane},
journal = {Animal Reproduction},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1590/1984-3143-ar2025-0117},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05771295v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Histological features of Jaculus jaculus male-reproductive system: detection of metalloproteinases in testes and seminal vesicles during the active-reproductive phase
AU - Nesrine Zeghloul
AU - Nemcha Lebaili-Benmoussa
AU - Mohamed El Fadel Ousmaal
AU - Salim Lamine
AU - Nesrine Lina Gharnaout
AU - Sabrina Lekmine
AU - Nassim Moula
AU - Walid Elfalleh
AU - Fehmi Boufahja
AU - Hamdi Bendif
AU - Hichem Tahraoui
AU - Abdeltif Amrane
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Animal Reproduction
DO - 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2025-0117
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05771295v1
AB - Our study explored the histological and histo-functional characteristics of the testis and seminal vesicles of Jaculus jaculus, collected from the Biskra (34° 51’ 0" N 5° 43’ 59.999" E) and M’sila regions in Algeria (35°42’20.99" N 4°32’30.98" E) from autumn to early spring, corresponding to activity and transitional periods of the reproductive cycle. An immunohistochemical analysis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was conducted on the seminal vesicles and testes during the active reproductive. The study utilized an indirect immunohistochemistry protocol with amplification through streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase. Histologically, seminiferous tubules in Jaculus jaculus, captured during the transitional period of the reproductive cycle, multinucleated giant cells of germinal origin were observed during the transitional phase of the reproductive cycle, reflecting a process of seasonal testicular remodelling. The histological structure of seminal vesicles appears highly characteristic of the studied species, with the vesicular epithelium organized into complex acinar glands surrounded by basal lamina and connective tissue. Gland cells secrete a heterogeneous product. In the testis, cells of the seminiferous epithelium express MMP-2 and MMP-9 in their cytoplasm, with a strong expression of MMP-2; however, both proteins are absent from the extracellular matrix. During the active period, in seminal vesicles, a significant immunohistochemical signal of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was observed in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, with no immunoexpression in the extracellular matrix. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are expressed in a pattern consistent with a potential role in the seasonal reproductive cycle.
SN - 1806-9614
SN - 1984-3143
ER -