PRODUCTION DES METALLOPROTEINASES MATRICIELLES DANS LES VESICULES SEMINALES, LA PROSTATE ET LE CANAL DEFERENT DU MERION DE LIBYE (MERIONES LIBYCUS) AU COURS DE LA PERIODE ACTIVE DU CYCLE REPRODUCTEUR

An immunohistochemical study of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-7) was undertaken on the seminal vesicle, prostate and vas deferens of Meriones libycus in order to verify their implication in the cellular process of reproduction. Meriones libycus were collected from Beni-Abbes areas in the spring (breeding period). The work was done using the indirect immunohistochemistry protocol by amplification with streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase and AEC as chromogen. In the seminal vesicles, the MMP-3 and MMP-7 were immunolocalized in epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC) without any immunostaining in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the secretion. In the ventral prostate, MMP-3 and MMP-7 immunoexpressions were concentrated in the apical pole of the epithelial cells with a less immunoresponse in SMC and a lack of immunoreactivity in the ECM. The not immunostained secretion was followed by empty circular areas of variable size and was surrounded by a small amount of an immunolabelled material. This phenomenon reflected a detachment of secretion allowing its movement in the tubules. In the dorsal prostate, there were as well the epithelial cells whose produced MMP-3 and MMP-7 with an absence of MMP-3 and a slight MMP-7 immunoreaction in SMC; the secretion showed a strong immunolabelling. In the vas deferens, epithelial cells, SMC and secretion were strongly immunostained. MMPs are involved in the flow of secretion in the ventral prostate and are probably implicated in elaboration of secretion and subsequently in sperm maturation.