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Immunolocalization of avian β-defensins in the hen oviduct and their changes in the uterus during eggshell formation

Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan

Correspondence should be addressed to Y Yoshimura; Email: yyosimu{at}hiroshima-u.ac.jp

The aim of this study was to examine whether avian β-defensin proteins (avβDs) exist in the oviduct, and whether those in the uterus are secreted to the eggshell membrane and eggshell. The oviducts of White Leghorn hens at different times of egg formation, eggshell membrane, and eggshell were used. The presence of immunoreactive (ir) avβD-3, -11, and -12 was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Two or three types of avβDs were identified in the mucosal surface epithelial cells in each oviductal segment. The density of ir-avβD-3 and -12 in the uterus was decreased after the egg entered this segment. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of ir-avβD-3, -11, and -12 in the uterus. In the eggshell membrane, only ir-avβD-3 was detected on the surface of fibers at the outer layer of the membrane. The ir-avβD-3, -11, and -12 were identified in the eggshell matrix by western blot. These results suggest that the surface epithelial cells are the major sites where avβDs proteins exist, and the avβDs secreted by the uterus cells are likely to be incorporated in the eggshell membrane and eggshell. These avβDs may play roles in the innate host defense of the oviduct and egg surface.