Epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, and epidermal growth factor receptor localization in the baboon (Papio anubis) oviduct during steroid treatment and the menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVES: Polypeptide growth factors may modulate the actions of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P) in reproductive tissues in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The objective of this study was to determine whether the baboon oviduct contains epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), and EGF receptor (EGF-R) and whether changes in their expression are correlated with various hormonal states. METHODS: Oviductal tissue was obtained from adult female baboons (Papio anubis) after oophorectomy and steroid treatment, and during the menstrual cycle. Ampullary regions were fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin for immunocytochemistry using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against EGF and EGF-R, and mouse monoclonal antibody against TGF alpha. RESULTS: Both EGF and EGF-R were present in all tissue compartments (most strongly in the epithelium, followed by smooth muscle and stroma) at all reproductive stages and showed similar staining patterns. However, the most intense immunoreactive product was found in the tissue obtained from the E2-treated and late follicular phase animals. At this time, intense staining was present in the apical regions of the mature ciliated cells, whereas the stain was dispersed uniformly over the cytoplasm of all other cell types. Immunoreactive TGF alpha was limited primarily to the nonciliated epithelial cells, and staining was most intense in the E2-treated and late follicular phase tissues. Transforming growth factor-alpha formed intense perinuclear deposits in the mature secretory cells, an area that corresponds to the Golgi region. No immunoreactive product was observed for any of these proteins when preimmune serum was substituted for the primary antibody or when the primary antibody was preabsorbed with antigen. CONCLUSION: In summary, EGF, TGF alpha, and EGF-R are present in the ampulla of the baboon oviduct. Moreover, the localization and intensity of immunoreactive product are dependent on cell type and hormonal state. These data are consistent with the concept that EGF, TGF alpha, and EGF-R may be regulated by E2 and P and thus may play a role in cell differentiation and function. In addition, the specific localization of TGF alpha suggests that this growth factor may be synthesized for release from the secretory cells and thus may also function as a modulator of gamete/embryo viability and development.