Neuroendocrine cells are present in the domestic fowl ovary.
Neuroendocrine cells are present in virtually all organs of the vertebrate body; however, it is yet uncertain whether they exist in the ovaries. Previous reports of ovarian neurons and neuron-like cells in mammals and birds might have resulted from misidentification. The aim of the present work was to determine the identity of neuron-like cells in immature ovaries of the domestic fowl. Cells immunoreactive to neurofilaments, synaptophysin, and chromogranin-A, with small, dense-core secretory granules, were consistently observed throughout the sub-cortical ovarian medulla and cortical interfollicular stroma. These cells also displayed immunoreactivity for tyrosine, tryptophan and dopamine β-hydroxylases, as well as to aromatic L-DOPA decarboxylase, implying their ability to synthesize both catecholamines and indolamines. Our results support the argument that the ovarian cells previously reported as neuron-like in birds, are neuroendocrine cells.
Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. phofmann@servidor.unam.mx
Pablo G
PG
Hofmann
Armida
A
Báez Saldaña
Teresa
T
Fortoul Van Der Goes
Margarita
M
González del Pliego
Gabriel
G
Gutiérrez Ospina
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D055099:Neuroendocrine Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D016708:Synaptophysin; C051774:neurofilament protein H