Characterization and quantitation of mRNA for the inhibin alpha-subunit in the granulosa layer of the domestic hen.
The role of inhibin in the regulation of follicular development in nonmammalian vertebrates is not well understood. We have used a porcine cDNA probe for the alpha-subunit of inhibin to characterize and quantitate the mRNA for the inhibin alpha-subunit in the granulosa layer of the domestic hen. In Experiment 1, RNA was prepared from the large preovulatory follicles and Northern analysis showed a single main band of hybridization between the porcine inhibin alpha-subunit probe and hen granulosa mRNA at approximately 1700 bp. Slot blot analysis was used in Experiment 2 to quantitate the mRNA for the inhibin alpha-subunit in the granulosa layers of the largest (F1) to fourth largest (F4) follicles. A significant dose-response relationship was established for increasing doses of RNA but no difference in amount of mRNA for the inhibin alpha-subunit was found among these four follicle sizes. Finally, in Experiment 3, inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA in the granulosa layer of F1-F4 follicles removed 6-8 hr after ovulation was quantitated by slot blot analysis. Similar to Experiment 2, a significant linear dose relationship was established for increasing doses of RNA but no difference in concentration of inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA among follicles was observed. Our results indicate that the porcine cDNA probe for the alpha-subunit of inhibin detects chicken mRNA at a size comparable to that reported for mammalian species. In addition, no difference in concentration of mRNA for the inhibin alpha-subunit was detected among the largest preovulatory follicles.
Department of Poultry and Avian Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
P A
PA
Johnson
S Y
SY
Wang
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics*; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007265:Inhibins