Influence of Anti-androgen Flutamide on Morphology and Cx43 Expression in the Male and Female Gonads of Neonatal Piglets

The aim of this study was to show the role of androgen receptors (AR) in mediating the action of androgens on gap junctional communication in male and female gonads of neonatal piglets exposed in utero to an anti-androgen flutamide. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were performed to assess immunoreactivity of connexin 43 (Cx43), the presence of Cx43 protein, and its mRNA, respectively. The results revealed ubiquitous distribution of Cx43 protein and its mRNA in the interstitial area between Leydig cells of the testes and in granulosa cells of primary ovarian follicles in both control- and flutamide-treated pigs. Therefore we suggest that androgens, through the AR receptors, could not be involved in the control of Cx43 gene expression in male and female gonads of neonatal pigs.