Estrogen receptor alpha expression in the ovary. C, ERα expression was decreased in the granulosa cells of the ovaries of hens that were fed whole flaxseed supplemented diet in comparison to A, control fed or B, defatted flax meal supplemented or D, flax oil supplemented diets, as observed by immunofluorescence, n=3, total magnification=200x. E, ERα protein expression was decreased in the ovary tissue of whole flaxseed supplemented diet hens, assessed by western blotting, n=4. Control vs whole flaxseed (p<0.05), whole flaxseed vs DFM (p<0.05). F, mRNA levels were also downregulated in the ovaries of whole flaxseed diet fed hens in comparison to flax oil supplemented diet hens, when analyzed by qPCR n=8. Whole flaxseed vs flax oil (p<0.05). Letters on the error bar shared among groups indicate no significant difference.