Immunoreactivities to protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament protein and neuron specific enolase in the ovary of the sexually immature ostrich (Struthio camelus).

The innervation of the ovary has been studied in various species of birds and mammals. Despite the fact that the innervation of any organ is an essential factor in controlling its growth and function, no information is available on the distribution of nerve fibers in the ovary of the sexually immature ostrich. Thus, the present study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of nerve fibers in the ovary of the sexually immature ostrich, using antibodies against neurofilament protein type M of 160 kD (NP), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). A total of 26 sexually immature female ostriches, aged between 12 and 14 months were used in the present study. Immunostaining was performed using a LSAB plus kit (Dakocytomation, Denmark). Antibodies against NP and PGP 9.5 were used at dilutions of 1:25 and 1:50, respectively. A ready-to-use solution containing antibodies against NSE was also used. Strong immunostaining for NP, PGP 9.5 and NSE was observed in nerve bundles, which coursed through the ovarian stalk and extended into the medulla and cortex. In addition, NSE immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were observed in the cortex and medulla. NP, PGP 9.5 and NSE immunoreactive nerve fibers were present in the thecal layer of the follicular wall. The current study has highlighted the distribution of NP, PGP 9.5 and NSE-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the ovary of the sexually immature ostrich. The findings of the present study suggest that the distribution of nerve fibers in the immature ostrich is similar to that of the domestic fowl.