Expression of nerve growth factor and its receptors, TrkA and p75, in porcine ovaries.

The cellular localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors (TrkA, p75) was investigated during the estrous cycle in gilts. Also, the levels of expression of these factors in walls of tertiary follicles and corpora lutea (CLs) were determined using Western blot. The ovaries from days 3, 7, 16 and 20 of the cycle revealed the presence of NGF and its receptors in oocytes of secondary and tertiary follicles, follicular cells of primary and secondary follicles, thecal and granulosa cells of tertiary follicles and steroidogenic cells of CLs. In wall cells of primary follicles, NGF, TrkA and p75 staining was strongest on day 16, while in secondary follicles, only p75 was more intensely stained on day 16 and 20. In walls of small (to 3 mm in diameter) and medium (4-6 mm in diameter) follicles, NGF staining was lower on day 16, and the p75 reaction was strongest on day 20. On day 20, NGF staining in large follicles (7-10 mm in diameter) was higher than in smaller follicles. The levels of NGF and p75 in small and medium follicles were highest on day 20. The contents of NGF and TrkA in large follicles on day 20 were higher than in smaller follicles. NGF and TrkA contents in CLs were highest on day 7. Our study demonstrates that NGF, TrkA and p75 are expressed in the ovary during the estrous cycle in gilts. These results suggest that NGF and its receptors may be important for ovarian function in cycling gilts.