Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF receptor in the human fetal ovary. 1996

R A Bennett, and R Osathanondh, and J Yeh
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Peptide growth factors are thought to be involved in adult ovarian regulatory functions. However, little is known about the role of growth factors in human fetal ovarian development. This study is an attempt to identify and localize transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF receptor (EGF-R) in human fetal ovaries. Ovaries were obtained from first and second trimester elective abortuses. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin sections of these specimens after fixation. We examined the sections microscopically using the specific antibodies against TGF alpha, EGF, and EGF-R. Phosphate-buffered saline and preimmune IgG were used as negative controls. First and second trimester ovaries stained positively for all three proteins. Staining was significantly more intense in the oocytes than in the stroma. Negative controls did not stain. These results combined with our previous demonstration of messenger ribonucleic acid for these growth factors suggest roles for TGF alpha, EGF, and EGF-R in human fetal ovarian development. The strong staining in the oocytes suggests a possible autocrine or paracrine role of these growth factors in human oocyte growth in utero.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D010053 Ovary The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE. Ovaries
D004815 Epidermal Growth Factor A 6-kDa polypeptide growth factor initially discovered in mouse submaxillary glands. Human epidermal growth factor was originally isolated from urine based on its ability to inhibit gastric secretion and called urogastrone. Epidermal growth factor exerts a wide variety of biological effects including the promotion of proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal and EPITHELIAL CELLS. It is synthesized as a transmembrane protein which can be cleaved to release a soluble active form. EGF,Epidermal Growth Factor-Urogastrone,Urogastrone,Human Urinary Gastric Inhibitor,beta-Urogastrone,Growth Factor, Epidermal,Growth Factor-Urogastrone, Epidermal,beta Urogastrone
D005260 Female Females
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014018 Tissue Distribution Accumulation of a drug or chemical substance in various organs (including those not relevant to its pharmacologic or therapeutic action). This distribution depends on the blood flow or perfusion rate of the organ, the ability of the drug to penetrate organ membranes, tissue specificity, protein binding. The distribution is usually expressed as tissue to plasma ratios. Distribution, Tissue,Distributions, Tissue,Tissue Distributions
D016211 Transforming Growth Factor alpha An EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR related protein that is found in a variety of tissues including EPITHELIUM, and maternal DECIDUA. It is synthesized as a transmembrane protein which can be cleaved to release a soluble active form which binds to the EGF RECEPTOR. Epidermal Growth Factor-Related Transforming Growth Factor,TGF-alpha,TGFalpha,Epidermal Growth Factor Related Transforming Growth Factor
D066246 ErbB Receptors A family of structurally related cell-surface receptors that signal through an intrinsic PROTEIN-TYROSINE KINASE. The receptors are activated upon binding of specific ligands which include EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTORS, and NEUREGULINS. EGF Receptor,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family Protein,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,ErbB Receptor,HER Family Receptor,Receptor, EGF,Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor,Receptor, TGF-alpha,Receptor, Transforming-Growth Factor alpha,Receptor, Urogastrone,Receptors, Epidermal Growth Factor-Urogastrone,TGF-alpha Receptor,Transforming Growth Factor alpha Receptor,Urogastrone Receptor,c-erbB-1 Protein,erbB-1 Proto-Oncogene Protein,EGF Receptors,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family Proteins,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Kinase,HER Family Receptors,Proto-oncogene c-ErbB-1 Protein,Receptor Tyrosine-protein Kinase erbB-1,Receptor, ErbB-1,Receptors, Epidermal Growth Factor,Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinase,ErbB-1 Receptor,Family Receptor, HER,Family Receptors, HER,Proto oncogene c ErbB 1 Protein,Proto-Oncogene Protein, erbB-1,Receptor Tyrosine protein Kinase erbB 1,Receptor, ErbB,Receptor, ErbB 1,Receptor, HER Family,Receptor, TGF alpha,Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor alpha,Receptors, EGF,Receptors, Epidermal Growth Factor Urogastrone,Receptors, ErbB,Receptors, HER Family,c erbB 1 Protein,c-ErbB-1 Protein, Proto-oncogene,erbB 1 Proto Oncogene Protein

Related Publications

R A Bennett, and R Osathanondh, and J Yeh
February 2000, Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi,
R A Bennett, and R Osathanondh, and J Yeh
July 1996, Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists,
R A Bennett, and R Osathanondh, and J Yeh
January 1991, Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological anatomy and histopathology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!