The Expression Pattern of the c-kit Ligand in Gonads of Mice Supports a Role for the c-kit Receptor in Oocyte Growth and in Proliferation of Spermatogonia

• DOI: 10.1006/dbio.1993.1114
• Publication Date: 2002-09-16T15:45:48Z
• Authors: Katia Manova; Eric J. Huang; Michael Angeles; Victor De Leon; Sandra Sanchez; Steve M. Pronovost; Peter Besmer; Rosemary F. Bachv...
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Aging; Mice, Inbred ICR; 0303 health sciences; Molecular Sequence Data; Ovary; Mice, Inbred Strains; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Blotting, Northern; Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors; Immunohistochemistry; Antibodies; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Oocytes; Animals; Female; Amino Acid Sequence; Oligopeptides; Cell Division; Crosses, Genetic

The tyrosine kinase receptor c-kit and its ligand KL are required for postnatal development of germ cells, in addition to their role primordial cells. To clarify function, a detailed examination the pattern expression gonads was undertaken. In ovaries, as seen by RNA blot analysis RNase protection assays is relatively high at birth (P0), low from P5 P8, P12 onward. testes all ages. forms present suggest that onward membrane-bound form predominates, while ovary significant amounts both present. As observed situ hybridization immunohistochemistry, newborn highly expressed central cords whose cells contribute formation growing follicles. Expression follicle small follicles increases levels three-layered during late oocyte growth. Large found within oocytes, After growth ceases, continues only outer layers multilayered testis, P0 through P9, distinct Sertoli but not Thereafter, intensity declines number spermatogenic tubules. appears be concentrated basally stage cycle seminiferous epithelium when it known interact with differentiating type A spermatogonia. These data consistent facilitating proliferation and/or differentiation