Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Its Receptors TrkA and p75 in the Reproductive Organs of Laying Hens

Pu Shaoxia,Qu Changwei,Li Yansen,Li Chunmei,Li Zhi

doi:10.1590/1516-635x1801187-192

Pu Shaoxia, Qu Changwei + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-635x1801187-192

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Abstract

In order to investigate the expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors (TrkA and p75) in prehierarchical follicles and oviducts of hens, five 130-day-old laying hens were examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis. NGF and its receptors were expressed in theca cells and granulosa cells of prehierarchical follicles, and they were also expressed in the epithelial cells of oviducts. The expression of the genes NGF, TrkA and p75 were significantly different in prehierarchical follicles (p<0.05 or p<0.01), and NGF and TrkA gene expression was significantly different in different parts of oviduct (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The expression of NGF and p75 mRNA levels was highest in large white follicle (LWF), as well as the expression of TrkA in small yellow follicle (SYF). In the oviduct, the expression of NGF was the highest in infundibulum, and lowest in isthmus. These results suggest that NGF may play an important role in the regulation of hen reproduction.

Highlights

The nerve growth factor (NGF), a 26-kilodalton polypeptide (Andrews, 1951), belongs to a family of related target-derived proteins (Levi-Montalcini, 1987)
Our study firstly shows that NGF and its two receptors tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and p75 are expressed in reproductive organs of laying hens, which suggests that NGF may be involved in the regulation of reproductive functions in chickens
NGF and TrkA protein are expressed in granulosa cells, where NGF and its receptors play an essential role in the ovulatory process (Dissen et al, 2000)

Summary

Introduction

The nerve growth factor (NGF), a 26-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide (Andrews, 1951), belongs to a family of related target-derived proteins (Levi-Montalcini, 1987). It is required for the survival, maintenance, and development of discrete neuronal populations in the central and the peripheral nervous systems (Snider, 1994). One is the high affinity receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), a 140-kDa transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by members of the trk proto-oncogene family (Barbacid, 1994; Meakin and Shooter, 1992). The other receptor with low affinity is known as p75, a 75-kDa glycoprotein with a short cytoplasmic sequence, which belongs to the family of tumor necrosis receptors (Dechant and Barde, 1997)

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