Immunofluorescence Studies Using Antisera to Crude and to Purified Porcine Relaxin

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Abstract
The ovary of the pregnant sow was used as a model system for the localization of relaxin by the indirect immunofluorescent technique. An antiserum to crude relaxin (NIH-R-P1) gave diffuse fluorescence with localization primarily in the connective tissues of the corpus luteum. With antiserum to purified porcine relaxin (CM-a''), fluorescence was observed only in the cytoplasm of the luteal cells of the corpus luteum. The same antisera were used for the localization of relaxin in the adult boar testis. Antiserum to NIH-R-P1 gave fluorescence in the connective tissue, interstitial (Leydig) cells and Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules. The antiserum to highly purified porcine relaxin gave no specific fluorescence in the adult boar testis. The concentration of relaxin in the testis of the adult boar is below the sensitivity of the immunofluorescence technique used here. The possibility remains that the testis may be a target tissue for relaxin rather than a tissue of origin of this hormone.