title: Immunohistochemical analysis of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs: Sex-linked and seasonal variation.
abstract: This study evaluated sexual dimorphism and seasonal variations in corticotrophs and adrenal zona fasciculata in dogs, as well as the expression of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα). An immunohistochemical analysis was conducted in pituitaries for ACTH and in adrenal glands for ERα and for the melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R) in winter and summer. Double immunofluorescence was performed to identify ERα in corticotrophs. Females had a greater proportion of corticotrophs per field (p<0.01), with a greater cellular area and optical density (p<0.001) than males. Optical density of corticotrophs was greater in winter for both sexes (p<0.001). In zona fasciculata, ERα and MC2R expression was greater in females (p<0.001) and was greater in winter (p<0.001). ERα was identified in corticotrophs. This study is the first to demonstrate ERα expression in corticotrophs and the adrenal cortex in dogs, providing evidence for sexual dimorphism and seasonal variations.
authors: UBACyT scholarship holder, Argentina; Hospital Escuela-Unidad de Endocrinología, A. Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales, Fac. de Ciencias Veterinarias-UBA, Av. Chorroarin 280, Buenos Aires CP 1427, Argentina. Electronic address: mgallelli@fvet.uba.ar.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Gallelli
authors: Cátedra de Histología, Fac. de Ciencias Veterinarias-UBA, Av. Chorroarin 280, Buenos Aires CP 1427, Argentina.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lombardo
authors: Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología del Crecimiento y la Reproducción, DBBE, FCEN-UBA/IBBEA-CONICET-UBA, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Vissio
authors: Área de Patología Especial, Fac. De Ciencias Veterinarias, UNLP. Calle 60 y 118, CP 1900 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Quiroga
authors: Área de Patología Especial, Fac. De Ciencias Veterinarias, UNLP. Calle 60 y 118, CP 1900 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Caggiano
authors: Hospital Escuela-Unidad de Endocrinología, A. Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales, Fac. de Ciencias Veterinarias-UBA, Av. Chorroarin 280, Buenos Aires CP 1427, Argentina.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Soler
authors: Laboratorio de Técnicas Nucleares, Fac. De Ciencias Veterinarias, UDELAR, Lasplacesr 1550-1620, CP 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Meikle
authors: Hospital Escuela-Unidad de Endocrinología, A. Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales, Fac. de Ciencias Veterinarias-UBA, Av. Chorroarin 280, Buenos Aires CP 1427, Argentina.
authors: V A
authors: VA
authors: Castillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha
keywords: Adrenal cortex; Corticotroph; Melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R); Oestrogen receptor; Sexual dimorphism