Possible involvement of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II during luteinization in the marmoset ovary.
The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II (T beta R-II), were evaluated in periovulatory marmoset ovaries. Histochemical methods were used, in particular double-labelling techniques, in order to correlate growth factor/receptor expression with proliferation (Ki 67), apoptosis (TUNEL method) and luteinization (3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD)). The latter was used as a luteinization marker. Periovulatory ovaries are especially suited for studying all aspects since they typically consist of small non-luteinized follicles, large luteinizing follicles and corpora lutea accessoria (Clas), which have developed from large luteinizing follicles. TGF-beta 1 and T beta R-II expression was found in luteinizing theca cells of large periovulatory follicles and in all luteal cells of Clas. Non-luteinized theca cells, including those of small follicles were always devoid of any immunostaining. Granulosa cells of small follicles were immunopositive for T beta R-II. Large follicles with granulosa cell immunoreactivity of both antibodies coexisted with non-reactive follicles of comparable size. The highest activity of the luteal marker enzyme 3 beta-HSD was co-localized in the same cells that expressed TGF-beta 1 and T beta R-II. The double-labelling experiments revealed that TGF-beta 1 and T beta R-II expression is not correlated with proliferation or apoptosis of follicular cells. Our results indicate that TGF-beta 1 and T beta R-II participate in differentiation processes, i.e. luteinization, rather than proliferation. In particular, the dynamics of T beta R-II expression appear highly related to the process of luteinization.
Wehrenberg
U
U
Institut für Anatomie, Emst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald, Germany. wehrenbe@rz.uni-greifswald.de
Giebel
J
J
Rune
G M
GM
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002144:Callithrix; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases