Distribution of thyroid hormone and thyrotropin receptors in reproductive tissues of adult female rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid dysfunctions are related to anovulation, miscarriages, and infertility in women and laboratory animals. Mechanisms associated with these effects are unknown, although indirect or direct actions of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin could be assumed. The present study aimed to identify the distribution of thyroid hormones (TRs) and thyrotropin (TSHR) receptors in reproductive organs of female rabbits.


METHODS
Ovary of virgin and pregnant rabbits, as well as the oviduct, uterus, and vagina of virgin rabbits were excised, histologically processed, and cut. Slices from these organs were used for immunohistochemical studies for TRα1-2, TRß1, and TSHR.


RESULTS
The presence of TRs and TSHR was found in the primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary, and Graafian follicles of virgin rabbits, as well as in the corpora lutea, corpora albicans, and wall of hemorrhagic cysts of pregnant rabbits. Oviductal regions (fimbria-infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and utero-tubal junction), uterus (endometrium and myometrium), and vagina (abdominal, pelvic, and perineal portions) of virgin rabbits showed anti-TRs and anti-TSHR immunoreactivity. Additionally, the distal urethra, paravaginal ganglia, levator ani and iliococcygeus muscles, dorsal nerve and body of the clitoris, perigenital skin, and prostate had TRs and TSHR.


CONCLUSIONS
The wide presence of TRs and TSHR in female reproductive organs suggests varied effects of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin in reproduction.
a Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala , México.
Julia
J
Rodríguez-Castelán
b Doctorado en Neuroetología , Universidad Veracruzana , Xalapa , México.
Arely
A
Anaya-Hernández
c Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala , México.
Maribel
M
Méndez-Tepepa
d Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México-DF , México.|e Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala , México.
Margarita
M
Martínez-Gómez
d Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México-DF , México.|e Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala , México.
Francisco
F
Castelán
e Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala , México.
Estela
E
Cuevas-Romero
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism*
D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin
Female prostate; ovary; oviduct; uterus; vagina