The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is the primary site of action of several endogenous opioid peptides modulating Ca2+ channel. In the oviduct Ca2+ maintains ciliary beat and regulates movement of isthmus lumen. The present research investigated the expression of the MOR in the oviduct of mares during oestrus and anoestrus. Tissue fragments were fixed in 4% (w/v) paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin wax. 4 mm thick de-waxed sections were incubated with a primary rabbit polyclonal antibody against the third extra-cellular loop of the mouse MOR. Immunohistochemical visualisation was obtained using the ABC-DAB procedure. Immunoblotting analysis was performed to confirm the primary antibody specificity. Ciliated (CCs) and non-ciliated (NCs) cells showed MOR in the apical region which displayed a different staining intensity along the oviduct during the two sexual stages. During the anoestrus numerous isthmus CCs expressed intra-nuclear immunostaining Infundibulum and ampulla immunoreactive NCs increased during the oestrus. Stromal cells expressed MOR in the isthmus. MOR positive myocytes were differently arranged along the oviduct and were more stained in oestrus. The different MOR expression along the oviduct and during anoestrus and oestrus could depend on the roles of oviduct segments and may reflect stage-dependent functional changes.
Distribution of the μ-opioid receptor in the mare oviduct during oestrus an anoestrus
VENTRIGLIA G;ALBRIZIO, MARIA;DESANTIS, Salvatore
2009-01-01
Abstract
The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is the primary site of action of several endogenous opioid peptides modulating Ca2+ channel. In the oviduct Ca2+ maintains ciliary beat and regulates movement of isthmus lumen. The present research investigated the expression of the MOR in the oviduct of mares during oestrus and anoestrus. Tissue fragments were fixed in 4% (w/v) paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin wax. 4 mm thick de-waxed sections were incubated with a primary rabbit polyclonal antibody against the third extra-cellular loop of the mouse MOR. Immunohistochemical visualisation was obtained using the ABC-DAB procedure. Immunoblotting analysis was performed to confirm the primary antibody specificity. Ciliated (CCs) and non-ciliated (NCs) cells showed MOR in the apical region which displayed a different staining intensity along the oviduct during the two sexual stages. During the anoestrus numerous isthmus CCs expressed intra-nuclear immunostaining Infundibulum and ampulla immunoreactive NCs increased during the oestrus. Stromal cells expressed MOR in the isthmus. MOR positive myocytes were differently arranged along the oviduct and were more stained in oestrus. The different MOR expression along the oviduct and during anoestrus and oestrus could depend on the roles of oviduct segments and may reflect stage-dependent functional changes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
