Mast cells in the ovary of Gallus gallus domesticus

Distribution of histamine in laying hen ovary

In a laying hen, histamine was found to be present in all compartments of the ovary, i.e. stroma with follicles < 1 mm, small white (1-4 mm), large white (4-8 mm), atretic white, yellow preovulatory (8-35 mm) and postovulatory follicles. Stroma containing non-yolky follicles exhibited the highest histamine concentration (6080 +/- 331 ng/g wet wt. tissue) which differed significantly (P < 0.01) from histamine levels observed in all examined classes of ovarian follicles. High histamine concentration was found in small, large and atretic white follicles as well as in older postovulatory follicles whereas low levels of histamine contained yellow preovulatory and younger postovulatory follicles. Population of yolky white follicles presented significant (P < 0.01) differences in histamine level among small (4280 +/- 333), atretic (2940 +/- 193) and large (2010 +/- 110 ng/g) follicles. Within hierarchy of yellow preovulatory (F7-F1) follicles initial decrease in histamine concentration, from 859.3 +/- 51.5 ng/g in F7 follicle to 363.9 +/- 28.3 ng/g in F4 follicle, was followed by the increase as follicle matured, reaching the highest level in F1 follicle (711.4 +/- 35.9 ng/g). In postovulatory (P1-P5) follicles histamine concentration gradually increased as they were getting older, from 604.3 +/- 49.3 ng/g in P1 follicle to 2253 +/- 197 ng/g in P5 follicle. Determination of histamine in relation to ovulation revealed significant (P < 0.01) difference both in histamine concentration and content between the largest preovulatory F1 follicle and the largest postovulatory P1 follicle, being 0.5 h before and 0.5 h after ovulation, respectively. It is suggested that in chicken, ovarian histamine may play a role in the follicular development and/or the ovulatory process.

Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 beta 2 during folliculogenesis in the quail ovary

Immunohistochemical methods were used to show the presence and distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and beta 2 during folliculogenesis in quail ovarian tissues. The results indicated that both transforming growth factor-beta subtypes are present. Immunolabelling for transforming growth factor-beta 1 demonstrated that prelampbrush oocytes are immunoreactive in the Balbiani complex, and developing and pre-ovulatory oocytes in the zona radiata. Immunolabelling was also associated with granulosa cells. The number of stained granulosa cells decreased during folliculogenesis. In the pre-ovulatory follicles, immunolabelling was found predominantly in the theca interna. Immunolabelling for transforming growth factor-beta 2 was associated with the zona radiata of developing and pre-ovulatory follicles, and with stromal interstitial cells. Moderate immunoreactivity was found in the Balbiani complex of prelampbrush oocytes. Weak immunolabelling was localized in the granulosa cells of prelampbrush follicles, and in a few cells of the theca interna of pre-ovulatory follicles. The immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and -beta 2 in the quail ovary supports their autocrine and/or paracrine role in avian ovarian processes.

Distribution and characteristics of mast cells in the chick ovary

1. Distribution and characteristics of mast cells have been studied in the ovaries of 5 and 17 week old chickens. 2. Mast cells were mainly present in the stroma, hilum and theca of normal and atretic follicles. No significant age-related differences in percentage distribution of mast cells were observed in the stroma and hilar regions of the ovary. However, the percentage of mast cells associated with follicles in both age groups was significantly less compared to stromal and hilar regions. 3. The number of mast cells present in the theca of normal and atretic follicles of stage 301 to 500 microns increased significantly compared to the preceding stages in 17-week old chicken ovaries. Moreover, the number of mast cells associated with the follicles of this stage in 17-week old chick ovaries was also higher compared to 5-week old chicken ovaries. 4. The mast cells showing variable shapes were divided into two types: compact and degranulating. More degranulating mast cells were observed in the 17-week old chicken ovary compared to those observed at 5-weeks.