title: Application of the immunofluorescence technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy for studying the distribution of the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor on rat luteal cells.
abstract: We used confocal scanning microscopy to study the semi-quantitative distribution of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG) receptors on rat luteal cells at both the two- and the three-dimensional level. The receptors were visualized in 6-microns sections of pseudopregnant rat ovaries using polyclonal rabbit antiserum to hCG-affinity-purified LH/CG receptor in conjunction with rhodamine-conjugated anti-rabbit immunoglobulins. Twenty to 30 optical sections were taken at different focal planes from representative luteal cells with a confocal laser scanning microscope and then processed digitally to two- and three-dimensional pseudocolored images. Distinct differences in fluorescence intensity could be demonstrated at both the two- and the three-dimensional level on the luteal cell surfaces, suggesting an uneven distribution of the LH/CG receptors on the cell membranes. This probably results in the compartmentalization and polarization of luteal cell function.
authors.affiliation: Biocenter University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lakkakorpi
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rajaniemi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D011555:Pseudopregnancy / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism*; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin; D011974:Receptors, LH