Nuclear Receptor Nr4a1 Protein Expression In The Ovary, A Preliminary Study

Objective To investigate the localization and expression pattern of nuclear receptor NR4A1 protein in follicle and corpus luteum cells at different estrous stages in cycling female SD rat. Methods The SD experimental rats were divided into four ovarian stages basing on the vaginal lavages, from which the ovaries were obtained in every cycling stage. Characterizing the localization and expression pattern of NR4A1 in rat ovaries by immunohistochemistry. Results NR4A1 was mainly expressed in the cytosol of ovarian theca cells and lutein cells. Expression level of NR4A1 in theca cell of mature follicle was significantly higher than in that of growing follicle (P<0.01 ) . NR4A1 expression levels was the highest in new corpus luteam, and significantly higher than in old corpus lutein (P < 0.01 ) . Conclusion NR4A1 expression is significantly correlated with follicular development, and corpus luteum's atresia.