Neurturin, RET, GFR alpha-1 and GFR alpha-2, but not GFR alpha-3, mRNA areexpressed in mice gonads

The gonads are known to produce numerous hormones and also neurotrophins an d their receptors. Here we demonstrate expression of glial-cell-line-derive d neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands and related receptors in adult mice gonads by in situ hybridization. GDNF mRNA was expressed in the ovary, but was not detectable in testis. Neurturin (NTN), another ligand in this family, gave rise to strong mRNA hybridization signals in a mosaic pattern in the seminiferous tubules of the testis at stages IX-XII and I-II of the cycle. NTN mRNA signals were also found in uterus and the oviduct. In testi s, the transducing receptor RET as well as GDNF receptor alpha-1 (GFR)alpha -1 and GFR alpha-2 were distributed in complementary and overlapping patter ns, the former at stages XI-XII-I and the latter at stages VII and VIII. GF R alpha-3 could not be detected, Expression of these trophic molecules sugg ests involvement of GDNF family ligands and related receptor components in reproduction.