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The Kit ligand/c-Kit receptor system in goat ovaries: gene expression and protein localization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2006

J.R.V. Silva ,
R. van den Hurk ,
H.T.A. van Tol ,
B.A.J. Roelen  and
J.R. Figueiredo
J.R.V. Silva*
Affiliation:
Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, PPGCV, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
R. van den Hurk
Affiliation:
Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
H.T.A. van Tol
Affiliation:
Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
B.A.J. Roelen
Affiliation:
Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
J.R. Figueiredo
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, PPGCV, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
*
All correspondence to: J.R.V. Silva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Avenida Paranjana 1700, CEP: 60740-000, Fortaleza – Ceará, Brazil. Tel: +55 85 3101 9852. Fax: +55 85 3101 9860. e-mail: roberto_viana@yahoo.com
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Summary

Relatively little information is available on the local factors that regulate folliculogenesis in goats. To examine the possibility that the Kit ligand (KL) system is expressed throughout the folliculogenesis, we studied the presence and distribution of KL and its receptor, c-Kit, in goat ovaries. Ovaries of goats were collected and either fixed in paraformaldehyde for immunohistochemical localization of KL and c-Kit proteins, or used for the isolation of follicles, luteal cells, surface epithelium and medullary samples to study mRNA expression for KL and c-Kit, using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). KL protein and mRNA were found in follicles at all stages of development, i.e. primordial, primary, secondary, small and large antral follicles, as well as in corpora lutea, surface epithelium and medullary tissue. Antral follicles expressed both KL-1 and KL-2 mRNAs, while earlier staged follicles expressed KL-1 transcript only. KL protein was demonstrated in granulosa cells from the primordial follicle onward. Its mRNA could be detected in granulosa cells isolated from antral follicles and occasionally in their theca cells. c-Kit mRNA was expressed in all antral follicular compartments and at all stages of follicular development. c-Kit protein was predominantly found in oocytes from the primordial follicle stage onwards, in theca cells of antral follicles, as well as in corpora lutea, surface epithelium and medullary tissue, particularly in the wall of blood vessels, which may indicate these cells as the main sites of action of KL. It is concluded that the KL/c-Kit system, in goat ovaries, is widespread and that it may be involved in the regulation of various local processes, including folliculogenesis and luteal activity.

Keywords

c-kitFolliclesGoatKit ligandOvary
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , November 2006 , pp. 317 - 328
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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