To determine expression and localization of receptors for estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and androgen (AR), detailed immunohistochemical evaluations were performed in the Sprague-Dawley rat oviduct during pre- and neonatal development, estrous cycle and pre-implantation period. In addition, real-time RT-PCR studies were conducted to evaluate changes in ERalpha, ERbeta, total PR (PR-A+B), PR-B and AR mRNA expressions. All receptors except for ERbeta were detected in epithelial, and stromal or mesenchymal cells of the fetal and neonatal oviduct, and increased with development. During the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, ERalpha and PR-A+B were expressed in epithelial, stromal and muscle cells throughout the oviduct region, and showed changes in expression predominantly in the isthmus. Only a few epithelial cells in the infundibulum (inf) and ampulla (AMP) showed ERbeta staining. AR was detected in stromal and muscle cells throughout the oviduct region, and in epithelial cells of the inf/AMP. Taken together, ERalpha, PR-A+B and AR were detected in the epithelium of the inf/AMP region, but all of these receptors were expressed in a distinct subset of epithelial cells which were negative for beta-tubulin IV, a ciliated epithelial cell marker. These results contribute to a better understanding of the respective roles of ERs, PRs and AR in the rat oviduct.

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