Differential distribution of immunoreactive S-100 protein in mammalian testis.

The present study deals with the immunohistochemical localization of S-100 protein in the testes of seven mammalian species including rat, cat, dog, pig, sheep, cattle and horse. Significant differences are demonstrated in the cellular distribution and intensity of immunoreaction for the protein. In bull, ram, boar and cat testes S-100 protein was localized in the cytoplasm and nuclei of Sertoli cells. A particularly intense staining was seen in the modified Sertoli cells of the terminal tubular segment. With the exception of the cat and horse S-100 protein immunoreactivity was additionally found in epithelial cells of the straight testicular tubules and in the epithelial cells of the rete testis. Endothelial cells of capillaries, veins and lymphatic vessels are regularly S-100 immunoreactive in ruminants. Leydig cells were found to be strongly positive for S-100 protein in the cat and rat testes and to a lower degree in pig and horse testes. Finally a distinct immunostaining of peritubular cells was restricted to the testis of dogs and rats. The remarkable species-specific variations of immunoreactivity for S-100 protein in different cell types of the testis support the hypothesis that S-100 protein is multifunctional protein and may have a different function in testicular physiology.