Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in oviduct adenocarcinomas in laying hens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ERs and PRS, respectively) in oviduct adenocarcinomas in laying hens. In all, 32 oviduct adenocarcinomas (18 primary tumors and 14 intestinal metastases) from Babcock B-380 laying hens 16-18 months old were stained with commercially available monoclonal antibodies against mouse-anti-human ERs and mouse-anti-human PRs. In the microscopic examination, 13 tumors (7 oviduct adenocarcinomas and 6 intestinal metastases) stained positively for ERs and 12 tumors (4 oviduct adenocarcinomas and 8 intestinal metastases) gave a positive reaction to FIR antibody. The staining pattern of the tumor cells with both antibodies was nuclear and cytoplasmic. In conclusion, we proved the existence of ERs and PRs in chicken oviduct adenocarcinomas, which may have roles in the formation of these tumors.