Expression of the genes for the epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligands in porcine oviduct and endometrium.

We have used the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine whether transcripts for the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its four known ligands--EGF, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), amphiregulin (Ar), and heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF)--are expressed in porcine oviduct and endometrium. We were able to detect mRNA for the EGF receptor, EGF, TGF alpha, and Ar in both the oviduct and endometrium, whereas HB-EGF mRNA was not detectable in either tissue. Through use of an antiserum raised against recombinant pig EGF, expression of EGF was found to be localized to the columnar epithelial cells of the oviduct and to the glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium. The possible physiological roles of the EGF family in the reproductive tract are discussed.