Differential distribution of estrogen receptor-β and estrogen receptor-α in the porcine ovary

Summary:

Steroids act on the follicle through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to regulate follicular growth and steroidogenesis. Estradiol plays a significant role in determining the fate of the developing follicle and acts via specific receptors which are nuclear transcription factors. It has been established that besides classical estrogen receptor-α (ERα) novel forms termed ERβ exist. In species studied to date these two types of ERs exhibit different tissue localisation patterns and levels of expression. The present study was performed to determine whether ERα and ERβ are differentially expressed in the porcine ovary. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies to ERα and ERβ, established the predominance of ERβ over ERα in the porcine ovary. Cyclical changes in estrogen receptor-β expression were observed. The immunostaining was present in all types of follicles, and decreased in corpus luteum while it regressed. In the contrary estrogen receptor-α staining was seen only in large preovulatory follicle and in early corpora lutea.

Key words:

Estrogen receptor - porcine ovary - immunohistochemistry

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