Localization of prolactin receptor in the dorsal and ventral skin of the frog (Rana ridibunda)

Abstract

Abstract:The dorsal and ventral skin in amphibians plays an important role in osmoregulation. Prolactin hormone is involved in regulation of amphibian skin functions, such as water and electrolyte balance. Therefore, amphibians may be useful as a model for determining the sites of the prolactin receptor. In this study, prolactin receptor was detected in frog dorsal and ventral skin using immunohistochemical staining method. Prolactin receptor immunoreactivity was localized in all epidermal layers except stratum corneum of dorsal skin epidermis, stratum germinativum layer of ventral skin epidermis, myoepithelial cells, secretory epithelium and secretory channel cells of granular glands in both skin regions. The mucous glands and secretory granules of granular glands did not show immunoreactivity for the prolactin receptor. According to our immunohistochemical results, the more widespread detection of prolactin receptor in dorsal skin epidermis indicates that prolactin is more effective in dorsal skin. Presence of prolactin receptors in epidermis points out its possible osmoregulatory effect. Moreover, detection of receptor immunoreactivity in various elements of poison glands in the dermis of both dorsal and ventral skin regions suggests that prolactin has a regulatory effect in gland functions.

Tagging Frogs with Passive Integrated Transponders Causes Disruption of the Cutaneous Bacterial Community and Proliferation of Opportunistic Fungi

“…This may be due to the greater initial abundance of bacteria (and to some extent, fungi) on the ventrum than the dorsum, possibly arising from the greater fluxes of water and solutes experienced across the ventral surfaces of frogs, leading to richer and more abundant bacterial communities ( 40 ), as well as from the greater contact between the ventral surfaces and the substrates, leading to greater exposure to microbes in the environment. In addition, mucous and serous glands are asymmetrically distributed across the skin of Phyllomedusinae frogs ( 40 – 42 ), with higher concentrations of serous glands on the dorsal surfaces and greater abundances of mucous glands on the ventral surfaces ( 43 – 45 ). The biochemicals (e.g., peptides and glycosaminoglycans) produced by both gland types are likely to influence the bacterial community associated with either surface of the skin of frogs ( 40 – 45 ).…”

Localization of Receptors for Sex Steroids and Pituitary Hormones in the Female Genital Duct throughout the Reproductive Cycle of a Viviparous Gymnophiona Amphibian, Typhlonectes compressicauda

“…FSHR and LHR in mammals and amphibians were also highly conserved during evolution of vertebrates [ 33 ]. Finally, a mouse anti-PRLR antibodies was used to study the frog Rana ridibunda protein [ 34 ]. These different data allowed us to consider that human anti-steroid or anti-pituitary receptor antibodies can be used for immunolocalization of amphibian hormone receptors.…”

“…Indirect immunohistochemical method has been chosen to localize hormone receptors. Several studies have shown there was an acceptable conservation of the biochemical composition of antibodies in all vertebrates [ 1 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. According to these studies, we have chosen to use antibodies generally used to detect the hormones in several animal species.…”

Detection of the Hormone Receptors Controlling the Female Genital Tract throughout the Sexual Cycle of an Oviparous Caecilian Amphibian, Boulengerula taitana

“…It has been found that cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell differentiation are involved in the tissue remodeling of the oviduct during the sexual cycle of amphibians [7]. Prolactin (PRL) is another hormone also involved in various aspects of reproduction in amphibians [20,34]. In particular, PRL together with sex steroids are necessary for the structural development and formation of oviductal secretions [35,18].…”