Use of genetic strains of chickens in studies of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease often diagnosed late in development when there is little chance for a successful recovery. Although ovarian cancer is a rare occurrence in most animals, the domestic hen has been shown to spontaneously develop the disease with an age-related incidence. Two strains of hens derived from a similar genetic background and maintained at Cornell University have been shown to differ in the incidence of the disease. At 2 yr of age, the C strain hens have a greater incidence of ovarian neoplasms than do K strain hens. Interestingly, levels of plasma estradiol are elevated in the C strain compared with K strain hens. In addition, plasma immunoreactive inhibin is lower in the C strain than in the K strain. Finally, mRNA expression of the alpha-subunit of inhibin in the granulosa cell layer of the large yellow follicles is lower in the C strain compared with the K strain hens. Further studies using these as well as other strains of hens may be useful in learning more about the etiology of this disease.
Johnson
P A
PA
Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. paj1@cornell.edu
Giles
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins