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ID 110660
Author
Yokoi, Hiromichi Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine
Tsuruo, Yoshihiro Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine Tokushima University Educator and Researcher Directory KAKEN Search Researchers
Nihira, Mika Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine
Ishimura, Kazunori Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine Tokushima University Educator and Researcher Directory KAKEN Search Researchers
Keywords
17α-hydroxylase/C17
20-lyase
rat
placenta
immunocytochemistry
electron microscopy
Content Type
Journal Article
Description
The rat placenta is the primary source of androgens during the second half of pregnancy. Androgens are converted to estrogens in the ovaries and contribute to the maintenance of normal pregnancy. We immunocytochemically characterized the cellular and subcellular localization of cytochrome P450 of 17α-hydroxylase/C 17,20-lyase (P450c17), an enzyme responsible for androgen synthesis, in the rat placenta. We also observed the fine structure of the placenta by electron microscopy. The rat placenta had a different structure from the primate, and contained four zones :labyrinth, basal zone, decidua basalis, and metrial gland. The labyrinth had three trophoblastic layers and fetal endothelium, and P450c17 immunoreactivity was homogeneously localized in the three trophoblastic layers but not in the fetal endothelium. In the basal zone, various types of trophoblasts were observed, and the immunoreaction was localized in small basophilic cells and giant cells. The intensity of staining was heterogeneous among these cells. The decidua basalis showed no immunostaining. Subcellular localization of the enzyme was in the cytoplasm, but not in the nucleus or mitochondria. The present study demonstrated a steroidogenic potency in both the labyrinth and the basal zone, although it was shown only in the basal zone in previous studies.
Journal Title
The journal of medical investigation : JMI
ISSN
13431420
NCID
AA11166929
Volume
44
Issue
3-4
Start Page
155
End Page
162
Sort Key
155
Published Date
1998
FullText File
language
eng
TextVersion
Publisher
departments
Medical Sciences