Development of an experimental XXXX : immunocytochemical analysis.

@entity43 @entity21111 @entity5 @entity1184 @entity24097 @entity1975 @entity10277 @entity35 @entity27977
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to study whether immunocytochemical parameters present in the normal ovary were altered after @entity5 development under high gonadotropin levels. METHODS: @entity43 ( @entity27977 ): castrated female @entity35 had an ovary grafted into the spleen; @entity5 were left to develop for 1, 2, 3 or 7 months. The presence of apoptotic cells (TUNEL method) and the expression of @entity1975 ( @entity1975 ), gap junction protein ( @entity10277 ), @entity24097 ( @entity24097 ), aromatase and @entity21111 ( @entity21111 ) were determined by immunocytochemistry. Some of these findings were confirmed by RT-PCR ( @entity10277 , @entity24097 , @entity21111 ). Inhibin subunit mRNAs were investigated by Northern blot. RESULTS: @entity1975 staining of @entity5 was mainly found in granulosa cells of transforming follicles and was absent from luteinized follicles. A nearly complete absence of apoptosis was observed. @entity10277 was mainly found in follicles, while it was very weakly expressed or absent in luteinized follicles. @entity24097 protein expression, indicating active steroidogenesis, was demonstrated only in luteinized follicles and in thecal cells, but was absent from granulosa cells. Aromatase immunoreactivity was very intense in granulosa and also present in luteal cells. Membrane-associated and cytoplasmic @entity21111 immunostaining was determined in patches of endocrine cells in the follicles, as well as in the luteinized follicles. The expression of mRNAs for @entity10277 , @entity24097 and @entity21111 (RT-PCR) and inhibin subunits (Northern blots) were confirmed in 1-, 3- and 7-month-old @entity5 . CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that @entity27977 most likely develop from unruptured follicles by @entity1184 and proliferation of follicular cells. Circulating gonadotropins seem to play a fundamental role in maintaining the expression of proteins typically expressed in normal ovary, while avoiding apoptosis in this tissue.
