Tissue-specific distribution of the androgen receptor (AR) in the porcine fetus

The aim of this study was to investigate androgen receptor (AR) expression in developing porcine fetuses. The localization of AR was examined on embryos obtained at different days of gestation: days 18, 32, 50, 71, 90 post coitum (p.c.), and in the several tissues collected from the newborn piglets of both sexes. AR expression was first observed on day 32 p.c. in the mesonephron region. RT-PCR did not show AR mRNA on day18 p.c., but the message was present starting from day 32. In the mate differentiating gonads and in the mate genital ducts AR protein was present at 50, 71 and 90 days of gestation. AR protein was also detected in the cords of stromal cells within the medulla of the ovary and in stromal cells investing the oogonial. nests. Pregranulosa cells on day 90 of gestation and on day 1 post parturn (p.p.) immunotabelled positively for AR. In the kidney, a number of AR-positive tubules were visible white the mesenchyme in the kidney was AR-negative. Immunoreactive AR was detected predominantly in the nuclei of epithelia[ cells of the budding component at different stages of gestation of porcine lung. The presence of AR during gestation in non-gonadal tissues suggests a role of androgen in these tissues. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.