Ultrastructural localization of relaxin in the corpus luteum of the pregnant and early lactating tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii |
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Authors: | Laura J Parry Joan M Clark Marilyn B Renfree |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia, AU |
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Abstract: | Electron-microscope immunocytochemistry was used to determine the subcellular distribution and presence of immunoreactive
relaxin throughout pregnancy and early lactation in the corpus luteum of a marsupial, the tammar wallaby. Membrane-bound,
electron-dense granules were a prominent feature of the luteal cell cytoplasm. The highest numbers of granules were observed
between days 20 and 24 of the 26-day gestation, with a rapid clearance immediately after birth. Relaxin immunogold particles
were present only in small, electron-dense granules (200–350 nm in diameter), with no particles observed in larger granules
(>400 nm diameter), nuclei or mitochondria. Relaxin immunoreactivity was low throughout early and mid pregnancy but increased
markedly between days 21 and 22 and remained high over the last 4 days of pregnancy. The number of granules containing relaxin
immunogold particles and the density of immunostaining were both reduced on the day of expected births (day 26). Our data
demonstrate that electron-dense granules in the luteal cell cytoplasm of a pregnant marsupial contain relaxin. The peptide
is produced in greatest amounts at the end of pregnancy, consistent with a role in parturition.
Received: 3 March 1997 / Accepted: 26 May 1997 |
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Keywords: | : Relaxin Marsupialia Corpus luteum Pregnancy Cytoplasmic granules Tammar wallaby Macropus eugenii |
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