Modification of cell evagination and cell differentiation in quail oviduct hyperstimulated by progesterone

Quail oviduct development is controlled by sex steroid hormones. Estrogens (E) induce cell proliferation, formation of tubular glands by epithelial cell evagination and cell differentiation. Progesterone (P) strongly increases the secretory process in E-treated quails, but inhibits cell proliferation, cell evagination and differentiation of ciliated cells. The balance between E and P is critical for harmonious development of the oviduct.

After 6 daily injections of two doses of estradiol benzoate (10 or 20 μg/d) and high doses of P (4 mg/d), tubular gland formation by epithelial cell evagination was inhibited, while epithelial cell proliferation occurred, as shown by the height of the villi and the increase in DNA.

Secretory processes were strongly stimulated. Ovalbumin, a tubular gland cell marker and avidin, a mucous cell marker, were localized by immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling. Ovalbumin was localized only in the rudimentary tubular glands, whereas avidin was dispersed throughout the secretory cells.

High doses of progesterone inhibited tubular gland cell proliferation, disturbed the distribution of avidin and inhibited differentiation of ciliated cells. Ovalbumin synthesis occured only in epithelial cells which were evaginated despite the hyperstimulation. Ovalbumin gene expression appeared highly dependent upon the cell position.