biostudies-literatureCastro MMNICHD NIH HHSConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoNIDDK NIH HHSCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorNational Institutes of HealthFAPEMIG1779526https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7549744biostudies-literatureUnknown8(3)Epithelial cells connect with each other by tight junctions (TJs) in several tissues. In epididymides, TJs proteins form the blood-epididymis barrier (BEB), which is crucial for male fertility. However, little is known about BEB morphological and physiological aspects in wild animals. This study examines the region-specific distribution pattern of TJs proteins in <i>D. rotundus'</i> epididymis, assessing their regulation in rainy and dry season. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and claudins (Cldn)-1, -3, and -4 were evaluated by confocal immunofluorescence and ELISA analysis. Herein, ZO-1 was strictly expressed in TJs, whereas Cldns were expressed in TJs and basolateral membranes of epithelial cells. Their co-localization and intensity of expression varied in the epididymal regTissue barriersDistribution pattern of ZO-1 and claudins in the epididymis of vampire bats.PMC7549744R01 HD040793DK097124R01 DK09712499999.011031/2013-01PPM-00621-18APQ-02514-16HD040793302088/2018-0420077/2018-9Hill ENeves CAKim BSerrao JEBreton SMachado-Neves MCastro MMGames PDfalseDistribution pattern of ZO-1 and claudins in the epididymis of vampire bats.Epithelial cells connect with each other by tight junctions (TJs) in several tissues. In epididymides, TJs proteins form the blood-epididymis barrier (BEB), which is crucial for male fertility. However, little is known about BEB morphological and physiological aspects in wild animals. This study examines the region-specific distribution pattern of TJs proteins in <i>D. rotundus'</i> epididymis, assessing their regulation in rainy and dry season. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and claudins (Cldn)-1, -3, and -4 were evaluated by confocal immunofluorescence and ELISA analysis. Herein, ZO-1 was strictly expressed in TJs, whereas Cldns were expressed in TJs and basolateral membranes of epithelial cells. Their co-localization and intensity of expression varied in the epididymal reg2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jul2025-04-26T00:16:53.268Z2022-02-10T15:19:53.042ZS-EPMC75497443255233910.1080/21688370.2020.1779526