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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Imaging of Estrogen Receptor-α in Rat Pial Arterioles using a Digital Immunofluorescent Microscope
Published on: November 29, 2011
Ontogenic expression of estrogen receptor-alpha in female rat corneas
Hideo Kato1, Kazuyoshi Naito, Yoshinao Katsu
1Nihon Bioresearch Inc., Hashima, Japan.
Purpose:
To investigate ontogenic expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha in female rat corneas, as part of basic studies to elucidate the mechanism of estrogenic effects on the corneas.
Methods:
The expression and localization of ERalpha were determined using quantitative reverse transcribed-polymerase chain reaction methodology and immunohistochemistry in the corneas of female rats on day 14 of gestation and postnatal days (PNDs) 0, 21, and 60.
Results:
Quantitative analysis of ERalpha mRNA revealed that ERalpha gene expression increased approximately 4 times on PND 21 and about 10 times on PND 60, as compared with expression levels detected on PND 0. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that expression of ERalpha protein was evident only in nuclei of the corneal epithelial cells from PND 21 onward.
Conclusion:
Ontogenic expression of ERalpha occurred in female rat corneas.
