Gonadotropins regulate cadherin expression in the ovary of the chicken embryo (Gallus gallus).

Cadherins are adhesion molecules that play a crucial role in tissue morphogenesis. Studies on N-cadherin and E-cadherin in the ovary of fetal hamster suggest that these adhesion molecules are involved in primordial follicle formation. In chicken embryo, present results demonstrate that N-cadherin is located on the surface epithelium and in the cortical cords of the ovary. Moreover, N-cadherin is identified in germ cells on day 14 of chicken embryo development. Quantification of mRNA of N-cadherin and E-cadherin demonstrates that treatments with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), increase N-cadherin expression. Whereas, E-cadherin expression is decreased by gonadotropin treatments. The negative correlation between both cadherins expression is demonstrated after 18 h of hormonal treatment. Regulation of cadherin expression by gonadotropins and the presence of N-cadherin in the ovarian cortex suggest that these adhesion molecules are involved in ovarian morphogenesis in the chicken embryo.