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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 17(6)

Progesterone receptors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in equine luteal tissue

R. P. Roberto da Costa A , V. Branco A , P. Pessa B , J. Robalo Silva C and G. Ferreira-Dias C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Escola Superior Agrária, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.

B Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.

C CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, R. Prof. Cid dos Santos, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal.

D Corresponding author. Email: gmlfdias@fmv.utl.pt

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 17(6) 659-666 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05024
Submitted: 2 March 2005  Accepted: 16 June 2005   Published: 29 July 2005

Abstract

Steroid hormones act via specific receptors, and these play an important physiological role in the ovary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cellular distribution of progesterone receptors and their staining intensity in different equine luteal structures during the breeding season, as well as their relationship to luteal cell composition, cell proliferation pattern and plasma progesterone (P4) concentration. There was an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in large luteal cells from the corpus hemorrhagicum (CH) to mid-luteal phase, followed by a decrease toward the late luteal stage. In the CH, the number of large luteal cells was lower than in other structures. Only large luteal cells showed positive staining for P4 receptors. An increase in staining intensity for P4 receptors was observed between CH and mid-phase corpus luteum, and CH and late-phase corpus luteum. Synthesis of P4 started at a very early stage of the luteal structure and was accompanied by an increase in P4 receptors and PCNA expression, and proliferation of large luteal cells, until mid-luteal phase. These data suggest that large luteal cells might play an important role in the regulation or synthesis of P4 in equine luteal structures.


Acknowledgments

This article was supported by grant CIISA-CL45. The authors wish to thank Dr Paula Serrão, Mrs Ana Maria Amaral and Mrs Patrícia Diniz for technical assistance.


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