Mast Cell Dynamics in the Ovary Are Governed by GnRH and Prolactin.

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) facilitates the migration of mast cells (MCs) into the involuting mammary gland. As GnRH is also expressed in the ovary, we examined changes in ovarian MCs. MCs in the ovary were mainly in interstitial tissue and their number increased during the estrous cycle to produce 2 peaks, one at diestrus 2 (20:00 hours) and another at proestrus (17:00 hours).

Prolactin Suppression of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Initiation of Mammary Gland Involution in Female Rats.

It has been demonstrated that mammary gland involution after lactation is initiated by accumulation of milk in alveoli after weaning. Here, we report that involution is also dependent on mammary GnRH expression that is suppressed by PRL during lactation. Reduction of plasma prolactin (PRL) by the withdrawal of suckling stimuli increased GnRH and annexin A5 (ANXA5) expression in the mammary tissues after lactation with augmentation of epithelial apoptosis.

Loss of maternal annexin A5 increases the likelihood of placental platelet thrombosis and foetal loss.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and pregnancy loss. Annexin A5 (Anxa5) is a candidate autoantigen. It is not known, however, whether endogenous Anxa5 prevents foetal loss during normal pregnancy.

Immunohistochemical localization of annexin a5 in the mammary gland of rats: up-regulation of expression by pup removal.

The distribution of annexin A5, a cytosolic protein related to gonadotropin releasing hormone action, was examined in the mammary gland of rats by immunohistochemistry with special reference to changes by lactation. Annexin A5 was observed in the interstitial tissues but not alveolar cells in virgin rats, while mammary epithelial cells became positive for annexin A5 in pregnant rats. The intensity of annexin A5 was decreased in lactating rats and dramatically increased after weaning, especially on the nucleus.

Testicular annexin A5 expression augmented by experimental cryptorchidism and could affect germ cell apoptosis in rats.

Objectives: To examine the expression of annexin A5, a recently emerged multifunctional protein, in the testis after experimental cryptorchidism.

Methods: The hemilateral testes of rats were surgically relocated from the scrotum into the abdomen. The annexin A5 content was evaluated by Western blot analysis, and its distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry.