Short Communication Expression and Localization of Growth Hormone Receptor in the Oviduct of the Laying Hen (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene expression by real-time PCR and demonstrate immunocytochemically the localization of GHR in four chicken oviductal parts, i.e. infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and shell gland. Experiments were carried out on Hy-Line laying hens decapitated 2 h after oviposition. GHR mRNA was expressed in all examined oviductal segments with a significantly lower level in the infundibulum in comparison to other parts of the oviduct. Specific GHR immunoreactivity was also detected in the wall of the oviduct. The intensity of the staining was as follows: infundibulum < or = isthmus < or = shell gland < or = magnum. In all oviductal parts, a positive reaction for GHR was observed in the mucosa whereas a very weak or no reaction was observed in the stroma. Within the mucosa a strong reaction for GHR was observed in the epithelium of the infundibulum and in the tubular gland of the magnum, isthmus and shell gland. Immunoreactivity for GHR was very weak in the mucosal epithelium of the magnum, isthmus and shell gland. In conclusion, the results point to the possibility of an important role of GH in oviduct functions in domestic hens.

Chicken oviduct—the target tissue for growth hormone action: effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis and on the gene expression of some oviduct-specific proteins

“…A stronger action of GH has been observed in the mucosa than in the stroma suggesting that the mucosa, in which proliferation is crucial for oviduct growth during maturation (Yu and Marquardt 1973), is mostly susceptible to GH. This justifies the previous suggestion of Hrabia et al (2013) that GH plays a regulatory role in the activity of the oviduct mucosa, since GH receptors in oviductal wall are localized predominantly in this tissue.…”

“…Oestrogens are the key steroids controlling oviductal growth and activity, via the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, and the synthesis of egg proteins (Dougherty and Sanders 2005). Ni et al (2007) have found the growth hormone (GH) receptor in the shell gland of the chicken oviduct and, recently, Hrabia et al (2013) have demonstrated the differential mRNA expression and protein localization of GH receptors in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and shell gland of laying hens and in the vagina (unpublished data); these findings suggest that chicken oviduct is also a GH-responsive organ. Moreover, hens injected with exogenous GH show increased eggshell quality of the eggs laid near the end of the laying period (Donoghue et al 1990).…”

Growth hormone production and role in the reproductive system of female chicken

“…Group Apoptosis Proliferation gland, but Hrabia et al (2013) later demonstrated differential mRNA expression of GHR in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and shell gland of laying hens. Recently GHR mRNA was also found in the vagina .…”

“…Most recent investigation showed that the chicken oviduct, like the ovary, is an extrapituitary site of GH production and a target organ for this hormone (Hrabia et al, 2013(Hrabia et al, , 2014bLuna et al, 2014). The avian oviduct is a unique organ divided morphologically and functionally into five parts.…”

Effect of Supplementation of Fermented Yeast Culture on Hormones and Their Receptors on Exposure to Higher Temperature and on Production Performance after Exposure in Nicobari Chickens

“…ough 88% of the albumen is water, this component of the egg contributes more than 60% to the total egg weight which is an essential quality of an egg [34]. Hrabia et al [35] have demonstrated differential mRNA expression and protein localization of GH receptors in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, and shell gland of laying hens.…”