Changes in progesterone receptor isoforms expression and in the morphology of the oviduct magnum of mature laying and aged nonlaying hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the morphology and expression of progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms in different cell subpopulations of the magnum region of the left oviduct of mature laying and aged nonlaying hens through histomorphometric and immunohistological methods. Histological results demonstrated several changes in the oviduct magnum of mature and aged hens, mainly in the mucosal tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that both PR isoforms are expressed in all cell types of the oviduct magnum of mature laying hens. In contrast, in each cell type of the oviduct magnum of aged nonlaying hens only one PR isoform (PR-A or PR-B) was expressed. The results indicate that PR percentage and the PR-A and PR-B ratio change according to the cell type of the oviduct magnum and in an age-specific manner, and suggest that these variations contribute to the regulation of progesterone actions in the oviduct magnum with the normal aging of the animal.