p53 protein expression in avian ovarian follicles

In the present study, we localized p53 protein in the ovary of the adult Japanese quail using immunohistochemical techniques. The best results were obtained with DO-1 monoclonal antibodies and with a heat-induced epitope retrieval method. Immunostaining was detected in cytoplasm and/or nuclei of granulosa and surface epithelial cells. In atretic follicles, p53 protein was found in a few follicular cells. Immunoreactivity was also detected in leukocytes and in the Balbiani complex of prelampbrush oocytes. It is suggested that p53 protein expression is elevated in proliferating granulosa and surface epithelial cells, and that p53 protein may be involved in granulosa cell differentiation.