Regulation of the connexin 43 promoter in the brook trout testis: role of the thyroid hormones and cAMP.

Gap junctions are critical for spermatogenesis. They are composed of integral proteins, the connexins. In mammals, a loss of Cx43 expression results in the inhibition of spermatogenesis.

Seasonal variations in testicular connexin levels and their regulation in the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis.

Spermatogenesis requires coordinated intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions. Gap junctions are composed of connexons that are themselves composed of connexins (Cxs). The present objective was to determine the regulation of testicular Cxs in a seasonal breeder, the brook trout.

Influence of municipal effluents on the expression of connexins in the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) testis.

Gap junctions are essential for spermatogenesis. Exposure to municipal wastewater effluent can modify spermatogenesis in fish. The present aim was to determine if municipal wastewater effluent could alter the expression of testicular connexins (Cxs) in brook trout.

The expression of multiple connexins throughout spermatogenesis in the rainbow trout testis suggests a role for complex intercellular communication.

Certain fish, such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), are seasonal breeders. Spermatogenesis in rainbow trout is synchronous; therefore, at any time point during this process, germ cells are predominantly at the same stage of development. As such, rainbow trout represent an excellent model in which to study spermatogenesis.