The expression profile of some homeobox proteins in the bovine liver during prenatal development

Homeobox proteins play critical roles in controlling processes such as morphogenesis and organogenesis in many organisms. Some of these proteins are known to aff ect the formation, development and regeneration of the liver. In this context, the present study was aimed at demonstrating the localization and expression intensity of some homeobox proteins in the bovine fetal liver during the diff erent stages of gestation, determining whether or not these proteins are found in the structural components of the liver, and identifying their potential physiological roles. Th e study material comprised of 27 clinically healthy bovine fetuses, which were obtained from slaughterhouses and belonged to diff erent stages of gestation. Th e fetuses were grouped according to their crown-rump length (CRL) measurements. Liver samples were taken from each study group and subjected to routine histological processing, followed by immunohistochemical staining. Th e staining results showed that, throughout gestation, the expression intensities of the homeobox proteins HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6, TLX1, Dlx-5 and HLX were stronger in the hepatocytes, compared to the hepatic artery, vena interlobularis and bile ducts. However, the expression intensity of HLX was determined to have significantly decreased during the second and third trimesters of gestation, compared to the first trimester. In conclusion, the expression of the investigated homeobox proteins at diff ering and similar levels in the hepatocytes, hepatic artery, vena interlobularis and bile ducts of the bovine fetal liver during gestation could be interpreted as an important indicator of these proteins being involved in the development and physiological activity of the fetal liver.