Immunolocalization of Nidogen in Rat Uterus, Oviduct and Ovary

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the distribution patterns of nidogen-1 (N-1) and -2 (N-2) in the rat uterus, oviduct and ovary. For this purpose, 6 female Wistar-albino rats found in proestrous period were used. The tissue samples fixed in 10% neutral formalin were examined immunohistochemically. Sections were incubated with primary goat-polyclonal N-1 and -2 antibody. Both the N-1 and -2 immunoreacted strongly with the uterine luminal and gland epithelium, many cells in the uterine stroma, the oviduct epithelium, the follicular cells of the unilaminar primary follicles, interstitial cells, and atretic follicles. They were moderately expressed in the follicular epithelium of primary and secondary follicles. The immunostaining intensity of N-1 was higher than that of N-2 in theca interna cells of graafian follicles. N-1 and -2 immunostaining were weakly detected in some of the primordial follicles, and in the granulosa lutein cells of corpus luteum. Neither theca externa nor zona pellucida immunoreacted with N-1 and -2. In conclusion, the present study showed that the nidogen are synthesized by the uterine luminal and the endometrial gland epithelium, the oviduct epithelium and ovarian follicles in the rats.