Abstract:
The early post-hatch development of immunoreactivity to vimentin, desmin,
smooth muscle actin (SMA) and laminin, in relation to follicle histogenesis,
was described in the present study. Ovigerous cords in day old quails
contained pre-granulosa and oocytes. Pre-granulosa cells at the corticomedullary
junction were vimentin immunopositive. A laminin immunopositive
basement membrane and desmin immunopositive mesenchymal cells lined
the ovigerous cords. Ovigerous cords in 3 day old quails contained developing
primordial follicles, the vimentin immunopositive pre-granulosa cells of which
were partially encircled by a basement membrane and desmin
immunopositive mesenchymal cells. In 5 to 7 day old quails, ovigerous cords
formed an outer cortical region, while primordial follicles formed the inner
cortical region. Early pre-vitellogenic follicles were present in 9 to 13 day old
quails. Underlying the granulosa cells of these follicles was a laminin immunopositive basement membrane and a layer of desmin immunopositive
thecal cells. Early and late pre-vitellogenic follicles dominated the ovary in 15
to 17 day old quails. The thecal layer in these follicles was desmin
immunopositive, but SMA immunonegative.
The results of the study have shown that the process of primordial
follicle development in the Japanese quail is similar to that reported in
mammals. The study suggests that in the quail pre-granulosa cells originate
predominantly from the medulla. The study has shown that, in the Japanese
quail, thecal cells are derived from desmin immunopositive mesenchymal
cells lining the ovigerous cords.
