Immunocytochemical localization of albumin in ovarian follicles of fertile rats

Grade follicles transcriptional profiling analysis in different laying stages in chicken

During follicular development, a series of key events such as follicular recruitment and selection are crucially governed by strict complex regulation. However, its molecular mechanisms remain obscure. To identify the dominant genes controlling chicken follicular development, the small white follicle (SWF), the small yellow follicle (SYF), and the large yellow follicle (LYF) in different laying stages (W22, W31, W51) were collected for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. There were 1866, 1211, and 1515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SWF and SYF in W22, W31, and W51, respectively. 4021, 2295, and 2902 DEGs were respectively identified between SYF and LYF in W22, W31, and W51. 5618, 4016, and 4809 DEGs were respectively identified between SWF and LYF in W22, W31, and W51. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that extracellular matrix, extracellular region, extracellular region part, ECM-receptor interaction, collagen extracellular matrix, and collagen trimer were significantly enriched (P < 0.05). Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that COL4A2, COL1A2, COL4A1, COL5A2, COL12A1, ELN, ALB, and MMP10 might be key candidate genes for follicular development in chicken. The current study identified dominant genes and pathways contributing to our understanding of chicken follicular development. 

Albumin localization in the testis of adult golden hamsters by use of immunohistochemistry

There is an increasing interest in different biochemical roles of albumin (Alb) in respect to testicular function. For this reason, Alb was localized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in the testis of adult golden hamsters. A strong Alb immunoreactivity occurred in the interstitial space and on the surface of Leydig cells. A few Sertoli cells showed a strong Alb response under the appearance of so-called leakages traversing Sertoli-Sertoli cell junctions. Spermatogonia reacted strongly, while spermatids and sperms showed rather a mild, or moderate response. Spermatocytes remained unstained. When similar maturation stages of seminiferous tubules were compared, the number of reacting cells varied strikingly. Our results support the assumption that Alb or a protein with an Alb-like immunoreactivity exerts diverse functions of the testis.

Pitfall in immunocytochemical localization of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha in ovaries of adult rats

By means of specific antisera against PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, sections of rat ovaries were investigated immunocytochemically during different stages of the estrous cycle. A fraction of granulosa cells of preantral and antral follicles exhibited a positive reaction to both antisera. So did endothelial cells of secretory and regressing corpora lutea. The staining was present throughout the stages of the estrous cycle. Liquid phase preadsorption with PGE2 and PGF2 alpha did not abolish the staining. However, it was absent after preadsorption with bovine serum albumin, the conjugating protein used for hapten immunization. The outcome of the preadsorption control demonstrates a classic example of a pitfall in immunostaining caused by the presence of contaminating antibodies.