Immunocytochemical demonstration of oxytocin in bovine ovarian tissues

The presence of oxytocin in ovarian tissue was examined immunocytochemically. Bovine antral follicles and corpora lutea were fixed with glutaraldehyde, picric acid and acetic acid fixative and immuno-stained by the indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Immunoreactive oxytocin was demonstrated in the granulosa cells of small and large follicles, in the granulosa-lutein cells of the young corpus luteum and in the large luteal cells of the mature corpus luteum. The regressing corpus luteum was not stainable. It is discussed that these findings additionally support the view that oxytocin is actually synthesized in ovarian tissues.