Purpose: To investigate the biological functions of protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) in spermatogenesis.
Materials and methods: We examined PKC delta transcript in mouse testis by means of in situ hybridization and Northern blotting.
Results: In testes of normal mice, signals of PKC delta gene expression were detected specifically at the spermatid stage. The PKC delta gene was weakly expressed in 8-week-old mice and highly expressed by 12 weeks. However, the expression was not detected in testes of germ cell-deficient W/Wv mice even at 12 weeks.
Conclusions: Protein kinase C delta gene expression may be controlled by specific developmental processes and PKC delta may play a role in spermatogenesis.