Expression and localization of growth factors during mammary gland development

Growth and differentiation of the mammary gland during development and lactation are controlled by complex hormonal mechanisms. Additionally growth factors are supposed to act as local mediators of the hormonally controlled developmental processes. Mammary tissue for this study was obtained from non pregnant control heifers, primigravid heifers (second part of pregnancy), around parturition, during lactation (early and late) and from dry cows. Using RT-PCR and ribonuclease protections assay (RPA) the expression of the following growth factors was studied in the different phases bovine mammary gland development: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-I), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). Additionally the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) was investigated. The cellular distribution pattern of several of these growth factors and GHR was obtained using Immunocytochemical techniques. The detailed expression and localization pattern of these growth factors are presented and their role in the local regulation of the bovine mammary gland is briefly discussed.