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Extensive vascularization of developing mouse ovaries revealed by caveolin‐1 expression
Author(s) -
Bullejos Monica,
Bowles Jo,
Koopman Peter
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.10128
Subject(s) - biology , ovary , caveolae , in situ hybridization , microbiology and biotechnology , immunofluorescence , messenger rna , caveolin , gene , gene expression , signal transduction , caveolin 1 , endocrinology , genetics , antibody
Abstract Expression screening for genes preferentially expressed in mouse fetal ovaries relative to testes identified Cav‐1 as a candidate female‐specific gene. Cav‐1 encodes caveolin‐1, a component of the cell membrane invaginations known as caveolae, which are involved in lipid regulation and signal transduction. In situ hybridization revealed high levels of Cav‐1 mRNA in developing ovaries, compared with moderate or low levels in testes. Analysis of caveolin‐1 protein distribution by immunofluorescence showed this difference to be due to the development of a dense and complex vascular network in the developing ovary. These observations point to a higher degree of differentiation and organization of the early stage mammalian ovary than previously suspected. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.