Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 74, 973-980, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Immunocytochemical localization of transforming growth factors (TGFs) TGF-alpha and TGF-beta in human ovarian tissues

N Chegini and RS Williams
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610.

Light microscopic immunocytochemical technique was utilized in order to elucidate the presence and cellular distribution of transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta) in human ovarian tissues in different reproductive states using polyclonal antibodies to TGF-alpha and TGF-beta. The results indicated that the ovarian tissue immunostained for both TGF-alpha and TGF-beta. The immunostaining for TGF-alpha was associated with oocytes in the primary follicles, granulosa and theca cell layers, as well as small and large luteal cells. The granulosa cell layers in the small follicles were immunostained for TGF-alpha, but there was very little staining association to the theca cell layers. However, the immunostaining intensity increased in both granulosa and theca cell layers as the size of the follicles increased. The ovarian stroma cells always showed moderate immunostaining. In luteal tissue, both small and large luteal cells immunostained for TGF-alpha and the intensity was similar in both cell types. The immunostaining intensity was similar in both early and midluteal phases and was less than that seen in the granulosa-theca cell layers of the large follicles, and decreased in the late luteal phase. Both corpora albicans and ectopic pregnancy corpora lutea showed a weak immunostaining. Immunostaining of ovarian tissues for TGF-beta indicated that the oocytes of the small preantral follicles stained faintly in the cytoplasm; however, they stained strongly around the nuclear periphery. In small, medium, and large follicles granulosa and theca cell layers immunostained with similar intensity for TGF-beta and its intensity increased with follicular size. The ovarian stroma cells also immunostained for TGF-beta, but with a moderate to low intensity compared with other regions. In luteal tissue, both small and large luteal cells immunostained for TGF-beta and its intensity was similar in early and midluteal phases and reduced during the late luteal phase. This immunostaining was reduced as compared to the granulosa-theca cell layers of the follicles. Corpora albicans and ectopic pregnancy corpora lutea also immunostained for TGF-beta; however, the immunostaining intensity was lower than that seen in luteal tissues of early, mid, or late luteal phases. There was strong immunostaining of the luteal fibroblasts and, interestingly, in small and medium size arterioles; endothelial and smooth muscle cells also immunostained strongly for TGF- beta, whereas the large arterioles showed very little or no immunostaining.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Wang and W. Ge Cloning of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and EGF Receptor from the Zebrafish Ovary: Evidence for EGF as a Potential Paracrine Factor from the Oocyte to Regulate Activin/Follistatin System in the Follicle Cells Biol Reprod, September 1, 2004; 71(3): 749 - 760. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Dooley, G. R. Attia, W. E. Rainey, D. R. Moore, and B. R. Carr Bone Morphogenetic Protein Inhibits Ovarian Androgen Production J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2000; 85(9): 3331 - 3337. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. J. Zachow, B. E. Ramski, and H. Lee Modulation of Estrogen Production and 17{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-Type 1, Cytochrome P450 Aromatase, c-Met, and Protein Kinase B{alpha} Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Content in Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells by Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Biol Reprod, June 1, 2000; 62(6): 1851 - 1857. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. A. Coffman, J. H. Pinter, and F. W. Goetz Trout Ovulatory Proteins: Site of Synthesis, Regulation, and Possible Biological Function Biol Reprod, April 1, 2000; 62(4): 928 - 938. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. K. Roy, S. G. Kurz, A. M. Carlson, C. J. DeJonge, J. W. Ramey, and V. M. Maclin Transforming Growth Factor ß Receptor Expression in Hyperstimulated Human Granulosa Cells and Cleavage Potential of the Zygotes Biol Reprod, December 1, 1998; 59(6): 1311 - 1316. [Abstract] [Full Text]