Immunohistochemical Localization of Glucose Transporter GLUT1 and GLUT3 in the Testes of some Mammals.

Glucose has an essential role in the proliferation and survival of testicular tissue. Glucose transporters (GLUTs) are responsible for glucose uptake across cell membranes. In the present work, two main isoforms GLUT1 and GLUT3 were investigated in the testes of Laboratory mouse (BALB/c), Lesser Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus jaculus), Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), and Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus). Immunofluorescent localization of GLUT1 and GLUT3 showed considerable species differences. The lowest expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 was localized in the testis of Laboratory mouse (BALB/c), the highest GLUT1 localization was detected in the testis of Lesser Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus jaculus), and the highest GLUT3 immunofluorescent localization was observed in the testis of Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus). The results imply that GLUT3 is the principal glucose transporter in the studied testes, which is related to species differences. The different immunolocalization of GLUT in examined testes suggests using various transport systems for energy gain in different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]