Estrogen receptor and aromatic hydrocarbon receptor in the primate ovary.

We have previously shown by immunocytochemistry and autoradiography the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) in rhesus monkey ovary. Intense chromogen staining showed specific binding for ER in nuclei of germinal epithelium and granulosa cells of antral follicles; and radiolabeled ligand bound specifically to functional corpora lutea (CL). Although it is accepted that the germinal epithelium of the primate ovary contains ER, some controversy still persists regarding the intraovarian localization of this molecule. In addition, no data exist that localize the aromatic hydrocarbon (dioxin) receptor (AHR), which is known to modulate ER, to the primate ovary. In the present study, we show the presence of ER using Western blot analysis, and ER capable of binding DNA within intraovarian compartments in two species of the genusMacaca (rhesus macaque,Macaca mulatta and stumptail macaque,Macaca arctoides); extend these findings to human ovarian granulosa cells (GC) using Western blot, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and gel mobility-shift analysis; and localize the AHR to intraovarian compartments of the macaque ovary by Western blots and gel-shift assays. These experiments strongly suggest that estrogens can exert effects on follicle development directly at the ovary, and provide the first direct evidence that AHR-mediated toxicity may be manifested at the ovary to induce possible antifertility effects.