Figure 5
From: Exogenous estradiol improves shell strength in laying hens at the end of the laying period
a-c - Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) immunolocalization in shell gland after estradiol 3-benzoate or placebo treatment. Strong nuclear staining for ERβ in non-ciliated cells of the surface epithelium (S). Moderate to strong nuclear staining in ciliated cells but also some negative nuclei. Cytosolic staining was found in the surface epithelium and was more pronounced in the non-ciliated cells giving a stripy appearance in the Lohmann Brown (LB) hens compare to Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) hens. Tubular gland (G) cells show moderate to strong nuclear staining for ERβ and moderate cytosolic staining. (a) LB hen treated with estradiol, non-ciliated cell with strong cytosolic staining (arrow) (b) LSL hen treated with estradiol, non-ciliated and ciliated cells with equal cytosolic staining. (c) Amount of cytosolic staining for ERβ in non-ciliated cells in LSL and LB hens (n = 20). Results are expressed as mean ± SE. ***(P < 0.001).