ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the expression of embryonic/ pluripotent stem cell markers including Nanog, Octamer - Binding Protein [Oct 3/4] and c-Kit from the newborn to aging period in the ovary tissues of mouse. Design: Experimental study using mouse ovary tissues. The expression and localization of Nanog, Oct 3/4 and c-Kit expression were studied in newborn, pubertal, adult and aging ovary. Setting: Department of Histology and Embryology, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Turkey
Subjects: Newborn [n = 6], pubertal [38-day-old] [n = 6], adult [12-week-old] [n = 6] and aged [24-week-old] female Balb/c mice were used in this study. Intervention: No intervention Main Outcome Measure: The expression of Nanog, Oct 3/4 and c-kit was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase chain reaction [PCR]
Results: Nanog, Oct 3/4 and c-Kit expression were positive in oocytes of newborn, pubertal and adult ovary. But they were negative in granulosa cells in newborn groups. The expression of these markers in adult period was increased. In addition, positive reaction for Nanog, Oct 3/4 and c-Kit was observed in granulosa cells in secondary and tertiary follicles in pubertal and adult ovary. Ovarian surface epithelium were positive for all stem cells markers in adult and aged. In addition to that, only c-kit positive expression was found in theca cells
Conclusion: According to our findings, each of the three stem cell markers may play an important role in folliculogenesis and ovarian pathology. However, c-kit may be more effective than others because stromal cells were positive in adult and pubertal ovaries as well as in aged ovary