Cytoskeletal proteins in the follicular wall of normal andcystic ovaries of sows

Abstract

The expression of cytoskeletal proteins was evaluated immunohistochemically in 36 normal ovaries sampled from 18 sows and 44 cystic ovaries sampled from of 22 sows, was evaluated. All sows had history of reproductive problems, such as infertility or subfertility. The immunohistochemically stained area (IHCSA) was quantified through image analysis to evaluate the expression of these proteins in the follicular wall of secondary, tertiary, and cystic follicles. Cytokeratins (CK) immunoreactivity was strong in the granulosa cell layer (GC) and mild in the theca interna (TI) and externa (TE) of the normal follicles. There was severe reduction of the reaction to CK in the GC in the cystic follicles, mainly in the luteinized cysts. The immunoreactivity for vimentin was higher in the GC from normal and cystic follicles in contrast with the other follicular structures. In the luteinized cysts, the IHCSA for vimentin was significantly higher in TI and in both observed cysts, the labeling was more accentuated in TE. Immunohistochemical detection of desmin and α-SMA was restricted to the TE, without differences between the normal and cystic follicles. The results of the current study show that the development of ovarian cysts in sows is associated to changes in the expression of the cytoskeletal proteins CK and vimentin.

Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of granulosa cells during different stages of folliculogenesis in bovine ovaries

“…In opposition to a previous report (Wendl et al., ), we noticed some desmin‐positive theca externa cells in normal bovine ovaries, which suggest either presence or differentiation of capillaries smooth muscle cells (Marettová & Maretta, ; Van Nassauw, Callebaut, Harrisson, Daneels, & Moeremans, ), or myoid differentiation in theca externa cells, which assists in the contraction of follicles during ovulation (De Sant'Ana et al., ; Santini et al., ). As immunohistochemical localization of desmin is only positive in theca externa cells, this marker can be useful in differing thecoma originated from theca externa cells from other sex‐cord stromal tumours of ovary.…”

“…Cell phenotyping is important to evaluate the alteration of intermediate filament (IF) proteins during different phases of normal and tumour cells development (Osborn & Weber, ). The cytoskeletal proteins of the IF family including vimentin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (AE1/AE3) and desmin have been used to evaluate the immunophenotypic profile of canine, equine, swine and bovine GC (De Sant'Ana, Reis, Araújo, Gimeno, & Ortega, ; Ellenberger et al., ; Pérez‐Martínez, García‐Fernández, Escudero, Ferreras, & García‐Iglesias, ; Riccardi, Grieco, Verganti, & Finazzi, ; Wendl, Ebach, Rodler, & Kenngott, ). It has been demonstrated that there is an association between the formation of ovarian cysts and alterations in the expression of cytoskeletal proteins in sows (De Sant'Ana et al., ).…”

“…The cytoskeletal proteins of the IF family including vimentin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (AE1/AE3) and desmin have been used to evaluate the immunophenotypic profile of canine, equine, swine and bovine GC (De Sant'Ana, Reis, Araújo, Gimeno, & Ortega, ; Ellenberger et al., ; Pérez‐Martínez, García‐Fernández, Escudero, Ferreras, & García‐Iglesias, ; Riccardi, Grieco, Verganti, & Finazzi, ; Wendl, Ebach, Rodler, & Kenngott, ). It has been demonstrated that there is an association between the formation of ovarian cysts and alterations in the expression of cytoskeletal proteins in sows (De Sant'Ana et al., ). The expressions of cytokeratin and vimentin proteins in normal and neoplastic bovine female reproductive tracts have been shown to be useful in differentiating primary ovarian tumours from metastatic tumours (Pérez‐Martínez et al., ).…”

Immunohistochemical Expression of Growth Factors in the Follicular Wall of Normal and Cystic Ovaries of Sows

“…) and the expression of cytoskeletal proteins (Sant'Ana et al. ) were altered in swine cystic follicles. Previous studies demonstrated that insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) are produced and act in the granulosa cells of bovine normal ovaries (Ortega et al.…”

Lectin histochemical pattern on the normal and cystic ovaries of sows

“…Steroidogenic enzymes can influence the ovarian steroids synthesis and play an essential role in the creation and/or course of cystic ovarian disease in sows (Kozlowska, Majewski, & Jana, 2009). Recent investigations revealed that apoptosis and cell proliferation (Sun et al, 2012) and the expression of cytoskeletal proteins (Sant'Ana, Reis, Araújo, Gimeno, & Ortega, 2015) and of growth factors (Sant'Ana, Reis, Blume, et al, 2015) were altered in swine cystic ovarian follicles. It is possible that pathogenesis of this important ovarian lesion to be related to changes in the expression of carbohydrates in follicles and in other ovarian structures, as previously confirmed in experimental cystic follicles of rats (Barbeito, Ortega, Matiller, Gimeno, & Salvetti, 2013).…”