DEVELOPMENT OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS IN THE OVARY OF THE JAPANESE QUAIL

摘要

Several studies have demonstrated the presence of desmin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) in cortical and thecal smooth muscle cells of the avian ovary.1'2'3 Cortical and thecal smooth muscle cells provide a structural framework for the ovary. Furthermore, these smooth muscle cells are involved in the ovulatory process. In addition to desmin and smooth muscle actin, smooth muscle cells are characterized by the presence of an enclosing basal lamina, which is formed in part by laminin. Although the distribution of smooth muscle cells in the ovaries of mature birds has been studied, no information is available on the post-hatch development of these cells. This study describes the distribution of desmin, SMA and laminin immunopositive smooth muscle cells in the developing ovary of the Japanese quail.