Immunohistochemical localization of relaxin-like factor/insulin-like peptide-3 in the bovine corpus luteum.
Relaxin-like factor/insulin-like peptide (INSL)-3 is highly expressed in the bovine corpus luteum throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Demonstration of translation of the relaxin-like factor message was previously shown for the follicle but not the corpus luteum. In this study, relaxin-like factor mRNA was highly expressed in the corpus luteum on days 7 and 14 of pregnancy. Tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and utilizing two different antibodies to relaxin-like factor, W3 rabbit anti-bovine and 2-8F mouse anti-bovine, relaxin-like factor was localized in fibroblast-like cells. Staining was also observed in the Leydig cells of bovine testicular tissue. No staining was observed in small and large steroidogenic luteal cells, indicating a nonsteroidogenic source of luteal relaxin-like factor. Definitive cell type identification is currently being determined via electron microscopy.
Nichols
Nicole
N
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 11910, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Binta
Hilary
H
Fields
Phillip A
PA
Drost
Maarten
M
Chang
Shou-Mei
SM
Ivell
Richard
R
Fields
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D007328:Insulin; C084797:Leydig insulin-like protein; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger