Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the expression profiles of follistatin (FST) and its associated molecules (MSTN, INHA, INHBB, INHBA, ACVR2A, and ACVR2B) in the oviduct of laying hens at 3hr and 20hr post-ovulation (p.o., n=5; 35weeks old), molting (n=5; 60weeks old), and non-laying (n=4; 35-60weeks old) hens and also to localize the FST by using immunohistochemistry assay. Expression of FST was significantly higher (p<.05), and MSTN was lower in the uterus of laying hens around 15-20hr p.o. (during eggshell formation), however, their expressions in the magnum remain unchanged across different physiological stages of hens. FST was mainly expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the uterine tissues, and their expression intensity was highest in laying hens during the eggshell mineralization. There was a relatively increased expression of INHA in the magnum of laying hens around 3hr p.o. as compared to non-laying and molting hens. At the same time (3hr p.o.), there was a significant (p<.05) decrease in the expression of the INHBB, ACVR2A, and ACV2B. These results indicate that follistatin may regulate the differentiation of uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during eggshell biomineralization.
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