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Immunocytochemical Localization of Transforming Growth Factor‐α and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Fallopian Tubes and Cumulus Cells
Author(s) -
ELDANASOURI I.,
FRANCES A.,
WESTPHAL L.M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1993.tb00606.x
Subject(s) - tgf alpha , paracrine signalling , epidermal growth factor , transforming growth factor, beta 3 , fallopian tube , transforming growth factor , autocrine signalling , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , epidermal growth factor receptor , endocrinology , growth factor , medicine , receptor , anatomy
PROBLEM: Transforming growth factor‐a (TGF‐α) has been shown to be a potent stimulant of oocyte maturation and embryonic development. The role of maternal growth factors and their mechanism of action in early mammalian development is not well understood. METHOD: In this study, the presence of TGF‐α and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) in human cumulus cells and fallopian tubes was investigated by immunocytochemical techniques. RESULTS: The fallopian tube showed intense staining for TGF‐α in the apical region of the epithelial cells, and the cumulus cells showed intense staining for EGF‐R on cell membranes. CONCLUSION: The presence of TGF‐α in the fallopian tube epithelium and its receptor on cumulus cells suggest a paracrine mechanism between maternal growth factors and the developing embryo.