title: Immunocytochemical localization of albumin in ovarian follicles of fertile rats.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether albumin (Alb) can be detected in ovarian rat granulosa cells. Using immunocytochemistry and morphometrics, the percentages of Alb-positive follicles (follicle-index), of Alb-positive granulosa cells (granulosa-index), and of strongly reacting follicles (intensity-index) were evaluated in intact and regressing follicles of different diameter groups during different stages of the estrous cycle. In intact follicles, the follicle- and the granulosa-index increased from small-sized to large-sized follicles. Although the follicle-index did not change in any group during the stages of the estrous cycle, the granulosa-index was higher during proestrus than during the other stages. Intact follicles showed a stronger immunoreactivity than regressing follicles throughout the stages of the estrous cycle. Thus, Alb may be a requirement for the control of follicle growth in fertile rats. This Alb function may be attributable to Alb binding to specific cell-membrane components followed by the intracellular uptake of Alb-bound substances.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spanel-Borowski
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins