title: Morphological and molecular characteristics of living human fetuses between Carnegie stages 7 and 23: localization of inhibin mRNA alpha and beta a subunits by in-situ hybridization.
abstract: Localization of the mRNA alpha and beta a subunits of inhibin has previously been reported in the human gonads during the second trimester. Adrenal inhibin has also been reported in the second trimester for the alpha, beta a and beta b subunits. Investigations showing localization by in-situ hybridization during the first trimester have not been reported. The results have shown hybridization of the alpha and beta a subunits, throughout the period of development studied, in a variety of tissues including the dorsal and thoracic aortas and pericardium stages 13-22 (beta a subunit); liver stages 19-21 (beta a) and stages 21-22 (alpha); mesonephos stages 21 and 22 (beta a); gonad stages (alpha and beta a); adrenal stages 19-22 (alpha); surface ectoderm stages 16-22 (beta a); mesenchyme stages 16-22 (beta a); amnion stages 13-16 (beta a); yolk sac stage 12 (alpha and beta a); cartilage stages 19-22 (beta a); and nasal proliferation stages 21 and 22 (beta a). When compared with distribution of the protein subunits it was noted that more immunostaining activity was found, suggesting that that probes were not sufficiently sensitive enough to detect all levels of mRNA expressed. It can be surmised, therefore, that the lack of visual hybridization of the mRNA cannot preclude the possibility that it is not being translated within the tissue even though hybridization was not apparent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Harkness
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Baird
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D015342:DNA Probes; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000737:chemistry; D009420:Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007265:Inhibins