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Biology of Reproduction 66, 1054-1060 (2002)
© 2002 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.


Regular Article

Expression of Estrogen Receptors {alpha} and ß in the Baboon Fetal Ovary1

Gerald J. Pepe2,,a, Reinhart B. Billiara, Maria G. Leavitta, Nicholas C. Zachosa, Jan Åke Gustafssonb, and Eugene D. Albrechtc

a Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23501-1980 b Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, S-14186 Huddinge, Sweden c Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology/Reproductive Studies and Physiology, Center for Studies in Reproduction, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

In adult mammals, estrogen regulates ovarian function, and estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in granulosa cells of antral follicles of the adult baboon ovary. Because the foundation of adult ovarian function is established in utero, the present study determined whether ER{alpha} and/or ERß were expressed in fetal ovaries obtained on Days 100 (n = 3) and 165–181 (n = 5) of baboon gestation (term = Day 184). On Day 100, ER{alpha} protein was detected by immunocytochemistry in surface epithelium and mesenchymal-epithelial cells but not oocytes in germ cell cords. ERß protein was also detected by immunocytochemistry on Day 100 of gestation and was abundantly expressed in mesenchymal-epithelial cells in germ cell cords, lightly expressed in the germ cells, but was not detected in the surface epithelium. On Days 165–180 of gestation, ER{alpha} expression was still intense in the surface epithelium, in mesenchymal-epithelial cells throughout the cortex, and in nests of cells between follicles. ER{alpha} expression was lighter in granulosa cells and was not observed in all granulosa cells, particularly in follicles close to the cortex. In contrast, ERß expression was most intense in granulosa cells, especially in flattened granulosa cells, was weaker in mesenchymal-epithelial cells and nests of cells between follicles, and was absent in the surface epithelium. Using an antibody to the carboxy terminal of human ERß, ERß protein was also detected by Western immunoblot with molecular sizes of 55 and 63 kDa on Day 100 and primarily 55 kDa on Day 180. The mRNAs for ER{alpha} and ERß were also detected by Northern blot analysis in the baboon fetal ovary. These results are the first to establish that the ER{alpha} and ERß mRNAs and proteins are expressed and exhibit changes in localization in the primate fetal ovary between mid and late gestation. Because placental estrogen production and secretion into the baboon fetus increases markedly during advancing pregnancy, we propose that estrogen plays an integral role in programming fetal ovarian development in the primate.

First decision: 3 October 2001.

1 This work was supported by NIH U54 HD 36207 as part of the NICHD Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction Research.

2 Correspondence: Gerald J. Pepe, Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 Olney Rd., P.O. Box 1980, Norfolk, VA 23501-1980. FAX: 757 624 2269; pepegj{at}evms.edu




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