Immunoreactivities of AR, ER α, ERβ and aromatase in the nuptial pad of Chinese brown frog ( < em > Rana dybowskii < /em > ) during pre-hibernation and the breeding period

In this study, we investigated the immunolocalization and protein expression levels of AR, ER α, ERβ and aromatase in the nuptial pad ofR. dybowskii during pre-hibernation and the breeding period. Histologically, the annual development of the nuptial pad inR. dybowskii is manifested as the larger area of specialized mucous gland and the longer length of papillary epidermal projection during the breeding period. AR, ER α, ERβ and aromatase are present in the stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, stratum basale and the secretory portion of specialized mucous glands during both periods. Western blotting results confirmed that AR, ERα and ERβ protein levels are higher during pre-hibernation than those during the breeding season. These results suggest that nuptial pad is the direct target organ of androgen and estrogen. Androgen may participate in the regulation of annual development and glandular function of nuptial pad, and estrogen may play an endocrine, autocrine or paracrine role during pre-hibernation and the breeding period.
Source: European Journal of Histochemistry - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research