Changes in the expression of estrogen receptor mRNA in the utero-vaginal junction containing sperm storage tubules in laying hens after repeated artificial insemination.
The objective was to determine whether expression of estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA in the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) of laying hens was altered after repeated artificial insemination (AI). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of mRNA of the two types of receptor, ERalpha and ERbeta. Only ERalpha mRNA was expressed in all segments of the oviducts of both virgin and artificially inseminated birds, whereas ERbeta mRNA was expressed in ovarian follicles but not in the oviduct. The expression of ERalpha mRNA in the UVJ was significantly decreased after repeated AI, whereas that in the uterus was not significantly different between virgin and inseminated birds. Since estrogen may be involved in maintaining the sperm storage function of sperm storage tubules, the decreased expression of ERalpha mRNA in the UVJ after repeated AI may contribute to reduced fertility in these birds.
Das
Shubash Chandra
SC
Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan.
Nagasaka
Naohiro
N
Yoshimura
Yukinori
Y
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010057:Oviducts / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013094:Spermatozoa; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen