Transforming growth factor-alpha identification in bovine corpus luteum by immunohistochemistry and northern blot analysis

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), a product of the thecal cells, has potent mitogenic and steroidogenic influences on cells within the ovarian follicle. Whether TGF-alpha continues to be produced in those follicles that go on to ovulate and form a corpus luteum is currently under investi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inReproduction fertility and development Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 523 - 529
Main Authors Lobb, D.K, Dorrington, J.H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Australia 1993
Subjects
Animals
Blotting, Northern
Cattle
corpus luteum
Corpus Luteum - chemistry
Female
heifers
Immunohistochemistry
Transforming Growth Factor alpha - analysis
transforming growth factors
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Summary:Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), a product of the thecal cells, has potent mitogenic and steroidogenic influences on cells within the ovarian follicle. Whether TGF-alpha continues to be produced in those follicles that go on to ovulate and form a corpus luteum is currently under investigation. In the present study, TGF-alpha was localized in the bovine corpus luteum by means of immunoperoxidase staining using a monoclonal antibody for TGF-alpha that does not cross-react with epidermal growth factor. In corpora lutea from the mid-luteal phase of the cycle TGF-alpha staining was found predominantly in the large luteal cells. Northern blot analysis using a human TGF-alpha cDNA probe hybridized to the 4.5-4.8 kb TGF-alpha transcript in RNA from the corpus luteum. These studies provide new evidence that TGF-alpha, a potent paracrine regulator within the ovarian follicle, continues to be expressed in the corpus luteum.
ISSN:1031-3613
DOI:10.1071/RD9930523