Dazl protein expression in adult rat testis is up-regulated at meiosis and not hormonally regulated

The Y‐chromosomal DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) gene and the autosomal Dazl (deleted in azoospermia‐like) gene are two crucial factors for the achievement and maintenance of spermatogenesis. Whereas Y‐chromosomal DAZ is present in certain primates, it is lacking in rodents and other species. We have investigated the expression of Dazl protein during spermatogenesis in the adult rat testis using immunohistochemistry. Dazl immunoreactivity was found predominantly in the cytosol of primary pachytene spermatocytes. A weaker but clearly detectable signal was present in intermediate and B spermatogonia and in early spermatocytes from preleptotene to zygotene. The highest expression patterns were observed between stages IV and VIII during the spermatogenic cycle when spermatocytes prepare for the first meiotic division. Specific staining could also be observed in step 11–19 elongating spermatids in the acrosome region. Treatment for 42 days with a potent GnRH‐antagonist abolished gonadotrophin secretion and led to a regressed testis, lacking most of the advanced germ cell types such as spermatids but still bearing spermatogonia and spermatocytes. No difference in staining pattern for Dazl protein was observed in GnRH antagonist‐treated rats despite the lack of gonadotrophins and substantial impairment of the spermatogenic process, indicating that Dazl expression is clearly hormone‐independent. The localization and level of Dazl expression suggests an important role in the regulation of the first meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. The hormone independent onset of expression points to an autonomous cell‐cycle event in which Dazl seems to be essential for the entry into meiosis. The presence of Dazl in the acrosome region of elongating spermatids might reflect an unknown role of Dazl as a morphogenetic factor during spermiogenesis.