The Presence of Aquaporin 9 in the Vas Deferens and Prostate Gland of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) During and After Rutting Season

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small intrinsic membrane proteins found in many cell types of the male genital system that are involved in fluid transport. These proteins are required to provide the optimal luminal environment for sperm production, maturation, preservation and immigration. Aquaporin 9 (AQP9) is expressed in the vas deferens and prostate gland, among other parts of the male reproductive system in mammals and it permits water to pass through the epithelium rapidly. The current study employed immunohistochemistry to elucidate the expression of AQP9 in the vas deferens (initial, middle and ampullary parts) and prostate gland (corpus and disseminated parts) in dromedary camels over the year’s rutting and non-rutting seasons. The outcomes showed that the lining epithelium and luminal spermatozoon of the vas deferens expressed AQP9 protein moderately to weak in the beginning and middle of the rutting season. This expression peaked at the end of the season and continued through the first period of the non-rutting season. The distribution showed erratic patterns in the middle months and ended with a mild reaction to APQ9 antibodies in September. In the prostate gland, AQP9 protein fluctuated relatively little over the year. In conclusion, AQP9-mediated transmembrane water and neutral solute transport is a vital physiological pathway for sperm immigration in the dromedary camel’s vas deferens. Also, a low protein expression level in the prostate gland can mean that the cells there are normal.