AN IMMUNOLOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ANTI-APOPTOTIC BCL-2 IN THE PIG’S OVIDUCT DURING THE OESTROUS CYCLE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the localization of Bcl-2 protein in porcine oviducts. Anti-human Bcl-2 monoclonal antibody was used to localize Bcl-2 protein immunohistochemically in the uterotubal junction (UTJ), isthmus and ampulla of pre-ovulatory (n=10) and post-ovulatory (n=10) sows. The Bcl-2 protein was detected in quantity in the intracytoplasm of the epithelial cells, some types of leukocytes in the
epithelial layer and in the subepithelial connective tissue, in fibroblasts, as well as smooth muscle cells of the UTJ, isthmus and ampulla in the pre-ovulatory period. In contrast, the expression of Bcl-2 was lower in the oviduct tissues during the post-ovulatory period. Based on these observations, it might be suggested that Bcl-2 could play a role in the proliferation and differentiation of pig oviduct tissues during the proestrus to oestrous phases.