ABSTRACT
To demonstrate the role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in yaks (Bos grunniens), we characterized the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) mRNA and protein. The level of GnRHR mRNA in the hypothalamus was higher than that in the pineal gland, pituitary gland, and ovary during estrus. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that GnRHR was expressed in the pinealocyte, synaptic ribbon, and synaptic spherules of the pineal gland and that melatonin interacts with GnRHR via nerve fibers. In the hypothalamus, GnRHR was expressed in the magnocellular neurons and parvocellular neurons. In the pituitary gland, GnRHR was expressed in acidophilic cells and basophilic cells. In the ovary, GnRHR was present in the ovarian follicle and Leydig cells. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor is located in the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonad during estrus of yaks and is mainly expressed in the hypothalamus and ovaries during the estrus period.
Bos grunniens; gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor; immunofluorescence; real-time PCR
PCR - polymerase chain reaction; GnRHR - gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.Values are normalized relative to the level of the 18s ribosomal RNA.Each sample was analyzed in triplicate.
GnRHR - gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor; GnRH - gonadotropin-releasing hormone.The pineal gland, pinealocyte (PC), synaptic ribbon (SR), and synaptic spherules (SS) were examined for the presence of the GnRH protein.
GnRHR - gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.The magnocellular neurons (MN) and parvocellular neurons (PN) were examined for the presence of the GnRHR protein.
GnRHR - gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.Note the colloid lost in the follicles (F).
AF - autrum of follicle; GnRHR - gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.