Abstract:
This study describes the distribution of vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin
(SMA) and laminin in the oviduct of the immature and mature Japanese quail.
The cytoskeletal proteins vimentin, desmin and SMA have been shown to
be involved in cellular support, differentiation, migration and contractility.
Laminin is a major component of basement membranes. Luminal epithelia in
the infundibular and magnal regions of immature and mature birds exhibited
strong vimentin immunoreactivity. Luminal epithelial cells exhibiting strong
vimentin immunoreactivity were present in the isthmus and shell gland
regions of only mature quails. Infundibular glandular grooves displayed strong
vimentin immunostaining. In contrast, the glandular epithelia of the magnum,
isthmus and shell gland were vimentin immunonegative. Fibroblasts and
vascular endothelial cells in the lamina propria of the oviductal regions studied
exhibited strong vimentin immunostaining. Smooth muscle cells forming the
tunica muscularis and vascular tunica media displayed strong desmin and SMA
immunostaining. Strong laminin immunostaining was demonstrated in the
basement membranes associated with smooth muscle cells, as well as in the
basement membranes underlying the luminal and glandular epithelia. In
conclusion, this study has shown that the immunolocalization of desmin, SMA
and laminin in the oviduct of the Japanese quail is similar to that in the
domestic fowl. However, differences in the immunoexpression of vimentin in
the LE of the two avian species were shown to exist. In addition, the study has
shown that the immunolocalization of vimentin in the Japanese quail varies
depending on the oviductal region, as well as the developmental stage of the
oviduct.
