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Immunocytochemical localization of angiotensin II receptor subtypes 1 and 2 in the porcine fetal, prepubertal and postpubertal ovary
Author(s) -
Shuttleworth Gail,
Hunter Morag G.,
Robinson Graham,
Broughton Pipkin Fiona
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2002.00091.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , immunostaining , biology , ovary , angiotensin ii , receptor , zona pellucida , folliculogenesis , paracrine signalling , ovarian follicle , andrology , oocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , immunohistochemistry , embryogenesis , embryo
There is considerable evidence for a mammalian ovarian renin–angiotensin system, which may influence ovulation, angiogenesis and steroidogenesis via the autocrine and/or paracrine actions of the biologically active product of the cascade, angiotensin II (AngII). There are two characterized AngII receptors – type 1, AT 1 and type 2, AT 2 . We report the localization of these receptor subtypes within porcine fetal, prepubertal and postpubertal ovaries. Positive staining for AT 1 and AT 2 receptors was observed in egg nests in all fetal ovaries studied, as well as in a defined two‐cell layer at the ovarian periphery. In prepubertal tissue, positive AT 1 and AT 2 staining was localized to granulosa cells adjacent to the basement membrane of pre‐antral and antral follicles, with no staining in the thecal layer. There was immunostaining for both receptors in prepubertal oocytes and zona pellucida. In postpubertal tissue, positive AT 1 and AT 2 immunostaining was localized to areas of putative neovascularization, the zona pellucida and the oocyte. Further AT 1 staining was located to the postpubertal antral follicle granulosa cells. The results indicate that there are higher densities of AT 1 receptors than AT 2 receptors in the porcine fetal, prepubertal and postpubertal ovary, and this has profound implications for the role of AngII in ovarian development.