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Original Article
Neuroendocrine cells are present in the domestic fowl ovary
Article first published online: 22 OCT 2012
DOI: 10.1111/joa.12002
© 2012 The Authors Journal of Anatomy © 2012 Anatomical Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hofmann, P. G., Báez Saldaña, A., Fortoul Van Der Goes, T., González del Pliego, M. and Gutiérrez Ospina, G. (2013), Neuroendocrine cells are present in the domestic fowl ovary. Journal of Anatomy, 222: 170–177. doi: 10.1111/joa.12002
Publication History
- Issue published online: 17 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 22 OCT 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 26 SEP 2012
Funded by
- National Council of Science and Technology. Grant Number: 82879
- Research and Technological Innovation of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Grant Numbers: IN203912-3, IN215208
Keywords:
- birds;
- catecholamines;
- chromagranin-A;
- neuroendocrine cell;
- serotonin;
- synaptophysin
Abstract
Neuroendocrine cells are present in virtually all organs of the vertebrate body; however, it is yet uncertain whether they exist in the ovaries. Previous reports of ovarian neurons and neuron-like cells in mammals and birds might have resulted from misidentification. The aim of the present work was to determine the identity of neuron-like cells in immature ovaries of the domestic fowl. Cells immunoreactive to neurofilaments, synaptophysin, and chromogranin-A, with small, dense-core secretory granules, were consistently observed throughout the sub-cortical ovarian medulla and cortical interfollicular stroma. These cells also displayed immunoreactivity for tyrosine, tryptophan and dopamine β-hydroxylases, as well as to aromatic L-DOPA decarboxylase, implying their ability to synthesize both catecholamines and indolamines. Our results support the argument that the ovarian cells previously reported as neuron-like in birds, are neuroendocrine cells.