Expression of mRNAs encoding oestrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ, androgen receptor and progesterone receptor during gonadal and follicular development in the marsupial brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Lisa J. Haydon A , Jennifer L. Juengel A C , Brian P. Thomson A and Douglas C. Eckery BA AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
B Present address: School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: jenny.juengel@agresearch.co.nz
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 20(3) 335-349 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD07177
Submitted: 28 September 2007 Accepted: 9 December 2007 Published: 5 February 2008
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine which ovarian cells express mRNAs for oestrogen (ERα and ERβ), androgen (AR) and progesterone (PR) receptors during ovarian and follicular development in the brushtail possum. Expression of ERα and/or ERβ mRNA was observed from birth, initially in cells of the blastema, then in the medullary cords from Day 20. ERα was expressed in the oocytes and granulosa cells of secondary and antral follicles. Preovulatory follicles did not express ERα mRNA, although their oocytes were not examined for any gene. ERβ mRNA was observed in oocytes at all follicular stages examined, but was not consistently observed in granulosa or theca cells. Expression of AR mRNA before Day 40 was very faint; thereafter, expression was observed in the medullary cords, peaking between Days 60 and 120. Oocytes, granulosa cells and theca of secondary and antral, but not preovulatory, follicles expressed AR mRNA. PR mRNA was expressed throughout the gonad by Day 20. Granulosa cells of some secondary and antral follicles and theca of antral follicles expressed PR mRNA. Thus, the expression of mRNAs encoding steroidogenic receptors in a time- and cell-specific manner supports a role for steroids in the process of ovarian follicular formation and growth.
Additional keywords: ovarian development, ovary, steroid receptor.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by funding from the New Zealand Foundation for Science, Research and Technology. The authors thank Dr Bernie McLeod for helpful critique of the manuscript and Michael Beaumont for help with the care of the possums and the collection of tissues. Lee-Ann Still’s assistance with the preparation of histological slides is also gratefully acknowledged.
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