Summary
Administration of estradiol-17-β induces the synthesis of vitellogenin in primary cultures of chick embryo liver. The ultrastructural changes accompanying steroid induced vitellogenin synthesis were investigated in hepatocytes cultures incubated for 0, 12 and 24 h following hormonal treatment. Both electron microscopy and immuno-chemical techniques were used. The immuno-fluorescence data indicate that the cultures contain a cell population of 90–95% hepatocytes, both in control and estradiol-treated groups. Ultrastructurally, cultured hepatocytes are similar to in vivo ones, except for a reduced accumulation of storage materials, glycogen and lipids. In the estradiol-treated cultures hepatocytes show an accumulation of free ribosomes, enlargement of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and development of the Golgi apparatus.
The data are discussed in relation to previous biochemical findings.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anzanel, D., Dieterlen-Lièvre, F., Salvatorelli, G.: Influence de différentes hormones sur l'évolution du foie embryonnaire de poulet en culture organotypique. C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris 277, 1809–1811 (1973)
Bast, R.E., Garfield, S.A., Gehrke, L., Ilan, J.: Coordination of ribosomes content and polysome formation during estradiol stimulation of vitellogenin synthesis in immature male chick livers. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 74, 3133–3137 (1977)
Bergink, E.W., Kloosterboer, H.J., Gruber, M., Ab, G.: Estrogen-induced phosphoprotein synthesis of yolk protein in roosters. Kinetics of induction. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 294, 497–506 (1973)
Bergink, E.W., Tseng, M.T., Wittliff, J.L.: Sequential changes in the structure and function of hepatocytes in estrogen-treated Xenopus laevis males. Cytobiologie 14, 362–377 (1977)
Beuving, G., Gruber, M.: Induction of phosvitin synthesis in roosters by estradiol injection. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 232, 529–536 (1971)
Carinci, P., Locci, P., Bodo, M.A., Caruso, A.: Estrogen-induced phosvitin synthesis in cultured chick embryo liver cells. Experientia 30, 88–89 (1974a)
Carinci, P., Bodo, M.A., Locci, P., Evangelisti, R.: Decreased synthesis of “secreted” proteins in chick embryo liver cultures treated by estradiol-17β. Experientia 30, 1243 (1974b)
Carinci, P., Caruso, A., Evangelisti, R., Becchetti, E., Stabellini, G.: Studies on the mechanism of in vitro estradiol-17β induced synthesis of phosvitin in chick embryo liver cells. Cell Differentiation 4, 441–448 (1976)
Caruso, A., Petris, A., Becchetti, E., Carinci, P.: Estradiol-17β dependent RNA synthesis in cultured chick embryo liver cells is a delayed event. Proc. 10th International Congress of Biochemistry, p 435, Hamburg (Abstract) (1976)
Deeley, R.G., Mullinix, K.P., Wetekam, W., Kronenberg, H.M., Meyers, M., Eldridge, J.D., Golberger, R.F.: Vitellogenin synthesis in the avian liver. Vitellogenin is the precursor of the egg yolk phosphoproteins. J. Biol. Chem. 250, 9060–9066 (1975)
Gschwendt, M.: Estrogen binding sites in the embryonic chicken liver. Febs Letters 75, 272–276 (1977)
Karrer, H.E.: Electron microscopic observations on chick embryo liver. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 116–141 (1961)
Lewis, J.A., Clemens, M.J., Tata, J.R.: Morphological and biochemical changes in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus of male Xenopus laevis after induction of egg yolk protein synthesis by estradiol-17β. Mol. and Cell Endocrinol. 4, 311–329 (1976)
Luck, D.N., Gschwendt, M., Hamilton, T.H.: Oestrogenic stimulation of macromolecular synthesis is correlated with nuclear hormone-receptor complex in neonatal rat uterus. Nature 245, 24–25 (1973)
Rosen, J.M., O'Malley, B.W.: Hormonal regulation of specific gene expression in the chick oviduct. In: Biochemical actions of hormones, (G. Litwak, ed.), Vol. III, pp. 89–133. New York and London: Academic Press 1975
Stephens, R.J., Bils, R.F.: Ultrastructural changes in the developing chick liver. J. Ultrastruct.Res. 18, 456–474 (1967)
Tata, J.R.: Regulation of protein synthesis by growth and developmental hormones. In: Biochemical actions of hormones (G. Litwack and D. Kritchevsky, eds.), Vol. I, pp. 89–133. New York and London: Academic Press 1970
Torlone, V.: Impiego della immunofluorescenza per la titolazione degli anticorpi neutralizzanti il virus della peste suina classica. Arch. Vet. It. 19, 81–91 (1968)
Traniello, S., Buzzoni, M., Caruso, A., Evangelisti, R., Stabellini, G., Carinci, P.: Regulation of protein synthesis by estradiol-17β in cultured hepatocytes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 520, 664–670 (1978)
Turkington, R.W.: Multiple hormonal interactions. The mammary gland. In: Biochemical actions of hormones (G. Litwack, ed.), Vol. II, pp. 55–80. New York and London: Academic Press 1972
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carinci, P., Mariani, G., Calastrini, C. et al. Estrogen-induced ultrastructural changes in cultured chick embryo hepatocytes. Cell Tissue Res. 199, 249–256 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236136
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236136