Neuroendocrine cells are present in the domestic fowl ovary

• Published in: Journal of anatomy Vol. 222; no. 2; pp. 170 - 177
• Main Authors: Hofmann, Pablo G., Báez Saldaña, Armida, Fortoul Van Der Goes, Teresa, González del Pliego, Margarita, Gutiérrez Ospina, Gabriel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-02-2013; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - analysis; birds; catecholamines; Chickens; chromagranin‐A; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; neuroendocrine cell; Neuroendocrine Cells - cytology; Neuroendocrine Cells - immunology; Neuroendocrine Cells - ultrastructure; Neurofilament Proteins - immunology; Neurons; Original; Ovary - cytology; Ovary - immunology; serotonin; synaptophysin; Synaptophysin - immunology
• ISSN: 0021-8782; 1469-7580
• DOI: 10.1111/joa.12002

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.