Interaction between neurotrophin 4 and gonadotrophin in bovine oviducts.

Abstract The expression and localization of neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and its receptor, tyrosine kinase B (TRKB), in the bovine oviduct, and their interaction with gonadotrophins in bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs), were examined. Transcripts for NT4 and TRKB were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in bovine oviducts in the follicular and luteal phases, and their proteins were immunolocalized in BOECs. Based on real time PCR, NT4 mRNA did not differ significantly between the two phases of the cycle, although TRKB mRNA expression was higher (P in vitro ; for NT4, mRNA and protein were higher (P