Expression of MCMV M83 mRNA in Infected Testes and Its Relationship with Testicular Lesions

Objective To investigate the expression of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) M83 mRNA in mouse testes at the different periods of MCMV infection and its relationship with the severity of testicular lesionsMethods Used digoxin-labeled MCMV mRNA oligonucleotide probe, the mouse testicular tissues at the different periods following MCMV inoculation were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH). The average absorbency (A) of ISH positive signals represented the resticular MCMV load. The expression of MCMV M83 mRNA in the infected testes and its relation with the severity of testicular lesions were analyzed. Results At different periods after MCMV inoculation, the expression of MCMV M83 mRNA was detectable in the testicular tissues. The ISH positive signals were mainly located in cytoplasm of the testicular interstitial cells. The average A values at d 9 after MCMV infection were the highest (comparison between …