Role of LM23 in cell proliferation and apoptosis and its expression during the testis development.

LM23, a gene expressed specifically in the testis in a stage-specific manner, has a diverse range of functions that are important in both the life and death of spermatogenic cells. The aim of this study was to further investigate the expression of LM23 in the developing rat testis and the biological function of LM23 in proliferation and antiapoptosis in vitro. Semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real-time PCR were used to examine the expression of LM23 in testis at different developmental stages.