Secretion of inhibin in female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) from hatch to sexual maturity.

To clarify the cellular source and secretory pattern of inhibin in the Japanese quail during follicular development, the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive (ir) inhibin were measured from 1 to 7 weeks after hatching. Localization of the inhibin/activin alpha, beta A and beta B subunits was investigated by immunohistochemistry. To monitor development of the pituitary and ovarian functions, the plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone concentrations were also measured. Ovarian weight increased gradually until 6 weeks of age and then abruptly increased at 7 weeks of age just at the onset of egg production. Plasma concentrations of LH increased significantly at 6 weeks of age. The plasma concentrations of ir-inhibin and progesterone and the pituitary contents of LH also increased significantly at 7 weeks of age. Immunohistochemically, the inhibin/activin alpha, beta A and beta B subunits were localized in the granulosa cells of all follicles during different stages of development from 1 to 7 weeks after hatching. The inhibin alpha, beta A and beta B subunits were also found in the interstitial cells but not theca cells of all follicles. These results demonstrated that the plasma concentrations of ir-inhibin of the female Japanese quails rose with ovarian development. The immunohistochemical results suggested that granulosa and interstitial cells are the major source of ovarian inhibins in female Japanese quails.