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Immunohistochemical Localization of Relaxin‐Like Factor/Insulin‐Like Peptide‐3 in the Bovine Corpus Luteum
Author(s) -
NICHOLS NICOLE,
BINTA HILARY,
FIELDS PHILLIP A.,
DROST MAARTEN,
CHANG SHOUMEI,
IVELL RICHARD,
FIELDS MICHAEL J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1282.075
Subject(s) - corpus luteum , relaxin , luteal phase , endocrinology , medicine , estrous cycle , biology , andrology , chemistry , ovary , hormone
A bstract : Relaxin‐like factor/insulin‐like peptide (INSL)‐3 is highly expressed in the bovine corpus luteum throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Demonstration of translation of the relaxin‐like factor message was previously shown for the follicle but not the corpus luteum. In this study, relaxin‐like factor mRNA was highly expressed in the corpus luteum on days 7 and 14 of pregnancy. Tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and utilizing two different antibodies to relaxin‐like factor, W3 rabbit anti‐bovine and 2‐8F mouse anti‐bovine, relaxin‐like factor was localized in fibroblast‐like cells. Staining was also observed in the Leydig cells of bovine testicular tissue. No staining was observed in small and large steroidogenic luteal cells, indicating a nonsteroidogenic source of luteal relaxin‐like factor. Definitive cell type identification is currently being determined via electron microscopy.