The role of estrogen receptors, erbB receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, and vascular endothelial growth inhibitor in the development of the rat mammary gland.
We identified the localization and distribution of cell-specific epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs: erbB-1, erbB-2, erbB-3, erbB-4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors [VEGFRs: VEGF-R1 (flt-1), VEGF-R2 (flk-1/KDR), VEGF-R3 (flt-4)], vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI), and estrogen receptor (ER), and determined whether or not these growth factors in rat mammary glands are functional. Thirty-five adult female Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, each of which were at the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of pregnancy; 7th day post-delivery; and 7th day after weaning. It was determined that erbB, VEGF and its receptors, VEGI, and ER stained at different intensities. Intense staining was observed, in particular, in erbB receptors during pregnancy and involution, and also in VEGF and its receptors during lactation, while ER stained during the last periods of pregnancy and lactation. In conclusion, the expression of erbB, VEGF and its receptors, and ER were determined at varying intensities at different sites of the mammary gland during pregnancy, lactation, and involution periods.
Sagsoz
Hakan
H
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, 21280, Diyarbakır, Turkey. hakansagsoz@hotmail.com
Ketani
Muzaffer Aydin
MA
D000818:Animals; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D007774:Lactation; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D053380:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D053380:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor