Declined expressing mRNA of beta-defensin 108 from epididymis is associated with decreased sperm motility in blue fox (Vulpes lagopus)

BACKGROUND: Fecundity is important for farm blue fox (Vulpes lagopus), who with asthenospermia have be a problem in some of farms in China. A key symptom of asthenospermia is decreased sperm motility. The decreased secreting beta-defensin108 (vBD108) of blue fox is speculated be related to asthenospermia. To clarify this idea, the mRNA expression of vBD108 in testis and epididymis of blue foxes with asthenospermia were detected and compared to the healthy one. The antibody was prepared and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The vBD108 in testis and epididymis was found both in blue fox with asthenospermia and healthy group by the method of immunohistochemistry. The expression of vBD108 mRNA in testes (P < 0.05) and epididymal corpus (P < 0.0001) in asthenospermia group was lower than that in healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that vBD108 deficiency may related to blue fox asthenospermia. Meanwhile, the study on the blue fox vBD108 provides a hopeful direction to explore the pathogenesis of blue fox asthenospermia in the future.