Identification of Immunoreactive Ghrelin and its mRNA in the Oviduct of Laying Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether ghrelin is produced in the oviduct of Japanese quail. Japanese quail laying hens and 20-days-old immature ones were used. The matured birds were examined at two different times of ovulation cycle, namely just after oviposition (preovulation group) and 6h after oviposition (5-h-postovulation group). The oviductal tissues were processed for paraffin sections and immunostained for ghrelin. The expression of ghrelin mRNA in the oviduct of preovulation group was examined by RT-PCR. In the preovulation group, we observed positive immunostaining of ghrelin in the epithelial cells of the mucosal folds in the infundibulum (tubular region) and magnum. The density of immunoreactive products was stronger in the cephalic and middle parts than in the caudal part in the magnum. No immunoreactivity was observed in the tissues of isthmus, uterus and vagina. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that mucosal tissue of the infundibulum and magnum, but not other oviductal segments, expressed mRNA for ghrelin. The intensity of immunostaining for ghrelin in the infundibulum, cephalic and middle parts of magnum was reduced in 5-h-postovulation group compared with preovulation group. In immature birds, no immunoreactivity for ghrelin was observed in both magnum and uterus tissues. These results suggest that the mucosal epithelium in the oviduct of quail hens produces ghrelin, and it may be secreted during the passage of eggs through oviduct. Ghrelin may not be produced in the oviduct of immature birds, and the production may occur in association with a development of oviduct.

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