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PubMed1982

[Studies on the interaction of prolactin and estrogen in rabbit ovary and uterus (author's transl)].

The biological effects of prolactin (PRL) on the uterus and ovary, and the cooperative action of PRL and estrogen to these tissues were investigated in the female white rabbit. 1) Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR, not in ovary) and PRL receptor were demonstrated in the rabbit uterus and ovary. The dissociation constant determined by Scatchard analysis was approximately at the level from 10(-10)M to 10(-9)M in each ligand binding to receptor. 2) In the pseudopregnant rabbit, b-PRL (30 iu/kg) increased the uterine and ovarian weight (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.01 respectively) but neither altered the steroid levels, nor the uterine and ovarian cytoplasmic ER levels. In the uterus, b-PRL increased the PRL receptor levels and tended to increase the nuclear ER levels. 3) In the ovariectomized immature rabbit, b-PRL (30 iu/kg) increased in uterine weight (p less than 0.05), decreased the uterine cytoplasmic ER levels (p less than 0.05), but increased the nuclear ER levels (p less than 0.05). With estrogen, b-PRL increased the uterine weight (p less than 0.05); tended to increase the cytoplasmic and nuclear ER levels, and increased the cytoplasmic PR levels (p less than 0.05). 4) In the ovariectomized immature rabbit, b-PRL did not change the histological finding of the uterus, whether estrogen was primed or not. In the pseudopregnant rabbit, b-PRL accelerated the progestational proliferation of the uterus. These results indicated that PRL demonstrated the biological effect on the rabbit uterus and ovary directly via PRL receptor, and that PRL enhances the estrogenic action, giving the effect on the mechanisms related with ER in the rabbit uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The collagen substrate specificity of rat uterus collagenase.

The collagen substrate specificity of rat uterus collagenase was studied as a function of both collagen type and species of substrate origin. For each collagen examined, values for the basic kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax (kcat), were determined on collagen in solution at 25 degrees C. In all cases, Lineweaver-Burk plots were linear and rat uterus collagenase behaved as a normal Michaelis-Menten enzyme. Collagen types I, II, and III of all species tested were degraded by rat uterus collagenase. Collagen types IV and V were resistant to enzymatic attack. Both enzyme-substrate affinity and catalytic rates were very similar for all susceptible collagens (types I-III). Values for Km ranged from 0.9 to 2.5 X 10(-6) M. Values for kcat varied from 10.7 to 28.1 h-1. The homologous rat type I collagen was no better a substrate than the other animal species type I collagens. The ability of rat uterus collagenase to degrade collagen types I, II, and III with essentially the same catalytic efficiency is unlike the action of human skin fibroblast collagenase or any other interstitial collagenase reported to date. The action of rat uterus collagenase on type I collagen was compared to that of human skin fibroblast collagenase, with regard to their capacity to cleave collagen as solution monomers versus insoluble fibrils. Both enzymes had essentially equal values for kcat on monomeric collagen, yet the specific activity of the rat uterus collagenase was 3- to 6-fold greater on collagen fibrils than the skin fibroblast enzyme. Thus, in spite of their similar activity on collagen monomers in solution, the rat uterus collagenase can degrade collagen aggregated into fibrils considerably more readily than can human skin fibroblast collagenase.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Granulated metrial gland cells in the virgin and early pregnant mouse uterus.

A study has been made of the distribution of granulated metrial gland cells in the non-pregnant uterus, in the pre-implantation uterus and in the post-implantation interconceptual uterus of pregnant albino mice. Granulated cells were only rarely seen in the non-pregnant uterus. In the pre-implantation uterus, they were regularly seen after day 2 1/2 of pregnancy and were randomly distributed within the endometrium although there was considerable variation in numbers between animals. In interconceptual regions of the post-implantation uterus, granulated cells were found in the endometrium and, in each animal at day 5 of pregnancy, appeared to be present in smaller numbers in those regions more distant from the implantation sites. No granulated metrial gland cells were found in the interconceptual uterus at day 6 of pregnancy or later.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Modulatory effect of endopeptidase inhibitors on bradykinin-induced contraction of rat uterus.

Bradykinin (BK) affects a variety of smooth muscle types, including uterus. These effects are generally short-lived due to metabolism by a variety of enzymes including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), endopeptidase 24.11 (EP-24.11) and endopeptidase 24.15 (EP-24.15). The uterotonic action of BK and the limitation of that action by peptidases were examined using isolated rat uterus. BK contracted the estrus, diestrus and day 22 pregnant rat uterus. N-[1(R,S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (10(-7) M), a specific inhibitor of EP-24.11, and N-[1(R,S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (10(-6) M), a specific inhibitor of EP-24.15, enhanced BK-induced contraction in the estrus and pregnant uterus. Enalaprilat (6 x 10(-8) M), an inhibitor of ACE, also enhanced BK-induced contraction. The enzyme inhibitors alone did not contract the uterus. Bradykinin B2 receptor antagonism blocked the effects of the inhibitors. ACE is present in the rat uterus, but there are no reports of EP-24.11 or EP-24.15. Here we report that EP-24.11 and EP-24.15 activities are present in the estrus and pregnant rat uterus. Partially purified uterine homogenates metabolized specific model substrates for EP-24.11 and EP-24.15. The enzyme activities were inhibited by N-[1(R,S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Phe-p-aminobenzoate and N-[1(R,S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate, respectively, and increased 5- to 8-fold at term pregnancy as compared to estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Ultrasonic anatomy and pathology of the equine uterus.

The morphological and pathological status of the uterus in mares was evaluated using a linear-array ultrasound scanner, and the ultrasonic properties of the uterus were characterized. The uterus was examined each day in 16 mares, beginning at mid-diestrus. The uterus was recorded as having an ultrasonic morphology characteristic of diestrus (endometrial folds not distinguishable), estrus (prominent endometrial folds) or an intermediate stage (folds only moderately distinguishable). The number of mares with an intermediate or estrous image increased gradually between day -7 (2 14 mares; ovulation = day 0) and days -3 (11 16 ) and -2 (10 16 ) and then declined between days -2 and +1 (0 12 ). In another study, a large nonechogenic area (ejaculate) was visible in the uterine lumen immediately after mating in all of six mares. During the course of pregnancy diagnoses and hand-breeding, several pathological conditions of the uterus were first observed by ultrasound examination and confirmed by digital exploration of the uterus or at slaughter. Cysts contained nonechogenic material (fluid) and were usually compartmentalized. The purulent material associated with pyometria was relatively nonechogenic but contained echogenic spots. Mummified fetuses and remnants of fetal bones showed echogenic properties consistent with high tissue density. The results demonstrated that ultrasound technology provides a noninvasive form of visual access to the uterus to evaluate normal, morphological changes and to detect and study certain pathological processes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Uterine rupture: differences between a scarred and an unscarred uterus.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare risk factors, site of rupture, and outcome of uterine rupture among patients with a scarred versus an unscarred uterus. Study design We conducted a comparison between all cases of uterine rupture (n=53) in women with a scarred versus an unscarred uterus, occurring between January 1988 and July 2002. RESULTS: During the study period, there were ruptures among 26 patients with a scarred uterus and 27 patients without a uterine scar. No significant differences were noted between the scarred and unscarred groups while comparing risk factors such as birth order, birth weight, hydramnios, oxytocin induction, diabetes, and malpresentation. The main site of involvement in both groups was the lower uterine segment representing 92.6% of the ruptures in the unscarred group and 92.3% of the ruptures in the scarred uterus group. Cervical involvement was significantly more common among patients without a previous uterine scar (33.3% vs 7.7%; odds ratio [OR]=6.0, 95% CI, 1.16-31.23, P=.04). Conversely, uterus corpus involvement did not differ between the groups. Perinatal mortality did not differ between the groups. In addition, no significant differences were noted regarding maternal morbidity such as the need for hysterectomy, blood transfusion, or length of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Although cervical involvement was significantly more prevalent in the rupture of an unscarred uterus, no significant differences in maternal or perinatal morbidity were noted between rupture of a scarred versus an unscarred uterus.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Isoforms of myosin and actin in human, monkey and rat myometrium. Comparison of pregnant and non-pregnant uterus proteins.

Using several electrophoretic procedures, we have compared the forms of myosin and actin in pregnant and non-pregnant uterus of woman, monkey (Macaca fascicularis) and rat. On non-dissociating gels, native myosin of the three species migrates as a single band, of identical mobility independently of the physiological state. Remigration of this band in dissociating conditions shows that it is constituted of two heavy chains of respectively 201 kDa and 205 kDa; the relative proportions of these two bands are different for the three animal species but do not vary during pregnancy. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we found that the 17-kDa light chain of purified uterus myosin exists under two isoelectric forms, the more acidic one becoming progressively predominant at the end of pregnancy in the human as in the monkey uterus, while we observed no changes in the rat. In two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, actin of human, monkey and rat uterus is present under three isoforms, the most basic one (the gamma form) increasing early in pregnancy in the two primate species but being always the most abundant form in the rat. The ATPase activity of human uterus myosin was found to be similar for the protein extracted from both pregnant and non-pregnant uterus. The changes observed in the 17-kDa light chain and in the actin isoforms might nevertheless participate in the modifications of contractility of the uterus during pregnancy of the primates.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metastatic extragenital neoplasms to the uterus: a clinicopathologic study of four cases.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathologic features, the differential diagnostic problems, and the prognostic consequences of patients with metastatic extragenital malignancies to uterus. The patients with metastatic extragenital malignancies to the uterus were evaluated. We considered the metastases in non-genital tract organs at diagnosis of primary neoplasm, the distribution of the metastases in the uterus, and the presence of concomitant metastases in other genital and non-genital tract organs. There were four cases of metastatic extragenital malignancies to the uterus. The breast was the most frequent primary site (two cases: 50%). The other two primary tumors were adenocarcinoma of the cecum and malignant melanoma of the skin. The diagnosis was facilitated by clinical history, revealing the previous primary neoplasm, and by specific immunohistochemical study. Almost all the patients died from disseminated disease. Thus, the prognosis of metastatic extragenital malignancies to the uterus alone or simultaneously to the uterus and other organs of the genital tract is poor. Thus, the metastases to the uterus and to other organs of the genital tract can be considered a preterminal event.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

The effects of metabolic inhibition and acidification on force production in the rat uterus.

The effects of hypoxia and intracellular acidification were examined on the mechanical properties of the non-pregnant and pregnant rat uterus. Isolated uteri were investigated during control conditions and in the presence of cyanide, to simulate hypoxia or the salts of weak acids and bases to change intracellular pH at constant external pH (pH 7.4). Both spontaneous contractions and high-K contractures (i.e. fully activated preparations) were investigated at 37 degrees C. In control solutions both pregnant and non-pregnant uteri were spontaneously active and gave a contracture when bathed with a high-K+ solution. When oxidative phosphorylation was inhibited by cyanide, spontaneous contractions were either greatly reduced or abolished. The effects on spontaneous contractions were more pronounced in the non-pregnant than the pregnant uterus. If high-K solution was added after cyanide had abolished spontaneous contractions, then a small amount of force was produced. High-K-induced contractures were not maintained in the presence of cyanide and quickly fell to baseline levels in both pregnant and non-pregnant uteri. All the effects of cyanide were fully reversible. When only intracellular pH was changed by adding weak acids (50 mM-butyrate or propionate), spontaneous contractions were greatly diminished or abolished in both pregnant and non-pregnant uteri. However, the application of weak acids had no effect upon the KCl-induced contractures in both pregnant and non-pregnant uteri. The effects of cyanide on the uterus include both an acidification and changes in metabolites, e.g. a fall in [ATP]. To investigate the changes in metabolites without a change in pHi, cyanide was applied with the weak base trimethylamine (40-50 mM). 31P Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to show that the alkalinization which occurs with trimethylamine alone abolished the acidification ordinarily associated with cyanide. Spontaneous and high-K-induced contractions were greatly reduced or abolished, i.e. the result was the same as with cyanide alone. This occurred in both pregnant and non-pregnant uteri. It is concluded that spontaneous force production is affected by both changes in metabolites (e.g. decreased [ATP] and increased inorganic phosphate) and pHi, and that both can depress activation of the uterus. Only the changes in metabolites can depress force production in fully activated preparation. The greater effect on force in the non-pregnant uterus compared to the pregnant uterus may be due to the lower initial levels of [ATP] and the greater fall in ATP seen in non-pregnant compared to pregnant uterus, and gestational changes in metabolism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Role of fluid from seminal vesicles and coagulating glands in sperm transport into the uterus and fertility in rats.

The relationship between the quantity of seminal vesicle secretion in the ejaculate, the percentage of spermatozoa reaching the uterus and fertility was studied in rats. Different portions of seminal vesicles were removed from male rats; 15 min after coitus (day 0), the numbers of spermatozoa in the uterus and vagina were counted and the vaginal plug characteristics were noted. Fertility was evaluated by the number of fetuses on day 14. A gradual decrease in the percentage of spermatozoa in the uterus was positively related to the reduction in seminal vesicle secretion, estimated by plug weight. This decline was not caused by a delay in sperm transport to the uterine lumen and the results suggested that the spermatozoa that fail to enter the uterus in the first minutes after coitus never enter. The vaginal plug weight, which is related to the seminal vesicle weight, and the position of the plug, which must be firmly lodged into the cervical opening, seem to be the most important conditions for promoting the rapid passage of spermatozoa into the uterus. When the seminal vesicles were partially removed, the plug was not tightly lodged and formed a 'cup' filled with spermatozoa. The number of fetuses did not show a close correlation with the quantity of seminal vesicle secretion. Studies of males in which the seminal vesicles had been removed indicated that a normal number of fetuses can be obtained despite low numbers of spermatozoa reaching the uterus. Ablation of the coagulating glands showed that, when there is no vaginal plug, no spermatozoa reach the uterus and fertility is suppressed. Nevertheless, the complete removal of coagulating glands is difficult; when small portions of these glands remain, the vaginal plug is formed and then fertility is achieved.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[The use of Gynipral (hexoprenaline) in suppression of uterus contractions].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of of this study was to estimate the effectiveness and tolerance of Gynipral (hexoprenaline)-beta-2 sympathomimetic used as oral and intravenous tocolytic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 110 pregnant women admitted to the hospital with premature uterus contractions between 17 and 37 week of pregnancy. Pregnant women were divided into two groups. Group I--86 patients with regular uterus contractions. In this group Gynipral was administered to suppress uterus contractions. Group two consisted of 24 patients without regular uterus contractions. In this group women were treated with Gynipral to keep pregnant uterus in maximum relaxation in such cases as IUGR, oligohydramnion, after Strassman procedure before pregnancy or cerclage procedure in current pregnancy. Group I was treated with intravenous Gynipral infusion and after suppression of uterus contractions the way of administration was changed into oral. Group II from the beginning was treated with oral tocolysis with Gynipral. Pregnant women were continually under CTG control and all ailments such as tachycardia, flapping tremor and anxiety were analysed and noted. RESULTS: Gynipral has effectively suppressed premature uterus contractions in 80 cases in group I (93%) and in 24 cases in group II (100%). In 106 cases (96%) patients have not presented any side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Gynipral is an effective tocolytic successfully used in premature labor treatment. Gynipral has a good tolerance administered both intravenously and orally as well and in most cases there was no need to add antiarrhythmic drugs to reduce side effects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

[Rupture of the uterus as a complication in delivery after cesarean section].

INTRODUCTION: In present clinical practice there is an increasing number of patients with delivery with previous cesarean section which is frequent reason for the repeated one. The most serious complication in labour with previous cesarean section is the rupture of the uterus which is as frequent in labour by natural way as in repeated cesarean section. This is a reason that many of obstetricians do not support attitude "Once cesarean section, always a cesarean". THE AIM: In a retrospective study in five years period beginning January 1, 1998, we analyzed total number of deliveries, total number of cesarean section, way of deliveries with previous cesarean section and frequency of complications. METHODS: We used Chi2 test and Contigency table. RESULTS: In analyzed period from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2002, we completed 24,194 deliveries at Ob/Gyn Clinic in Tuzla. Out of this number we performed 4073 cesarean sections or 16.83%. Out of 24,194 deliveries we had 1328 (5.49% of all deliveries) deliveries after performed cesarean in previous pregnancy. Out of 1328 deliveries following cesarean we completed by natural way 323 pregnancies or 24.33% and by repeated cesarean 1005 or 75.67%. Previous one cesarean had 1191, previous two cesarean 126, and previous three cesarean had 11 women. Out of 1328 deliveries by previous cesarean we had 12 (0.90%) or 1:111 cases, complicated by intrapartum rupture of the uterus. It was significantly more than in group of deliveries by unscarred uterus (1:16,849 deliveries). Three of 12 ruptures of the uterus were in group by natural way of delivery and 9 cases in group by repeated cesarean, no statistical difference (p>0.05). Out of 12 cases complicated by rupture of the uterus, ten cases were incomplete and two complete rupture of the uterus. CONCLUSION: Repeated cesarean section by his complications imposes the careful choice of indication for primary cesarean section and by this way make maternal mortality and morbidity significantly lower, specially in the light of the fact that only 24.33% deliveries following cesarean is completed vaginally. The most frequent complication was rupture of the uterus in relation 1:111 deliveries.

Cesarean Section, Repeat↗
PubMed1997

Vasa vasorum of blood and lymph vessels in the broad ligament of the sheep uterus analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.

The morphology of vasa vasorum of the blood and lymph vessels in the broad ligament of the uterus was examined in 12 adult ewes. The technique of vascular corrosion casts with the usage of Mercox resin allows multiple surveys of a three-dimensional organization of vascular networks under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study was appended by tissue pieces dried by the critical point method for SEM and semi-thin sections stained with toluidyne blue for light microscopy. Vasa vasorum surrounded both the larger vessels and the lymph vessels emanating from the ovary and the uterus. Significant differences in location and intensity of vasa vasorum in blood vessels were observed. They were less developed in the first part of the ovarian and the uterine arteries than in their smaller branches. Significantly large, two- or even three-layer vasa vasorum surrounded the ovarian and the uterine branches of the ovarian artery as well as the ovarian veins in the area of mesovarium. In the other areas of the broad ligament of the uterus, arterial vessels of similar sizes usually had a single-layer vasa vasorum. The lymph vessels leaving the ovary and uterus were surrounded by dense, although usually single-layed, microvascular network. The presence of vasa vasorum on relatively small blood and lymph vessels of the broad ligament of uterus indicates their particular functions that are probably connected with the estrous cycle or pregnancy and changes of blood flow rate entering the ovary and uterus. However, the presence of significantly developed, multi-layer vasa vasorum networks on only some of the blood vessels indicates that it is probably one of the vessels morphological adaptations to serve the counter-current transfer of biologically-active regulators in the area of the broad ligament of the sheep's uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Immunohistochemical studies on the expression and estrogen dependency of EGF and its receptor and C-fos proto-oncogene in the uterus and vagina of normal and neonatally estrogen-treated mice.

BACKGROUND: The final target cell response to estrogen is dependent not only on the estrogen receptor, but also on autocrine/paracrine interactions with growth factors (e.g., EGF) and proto-oncogenes (e.g., c-fos). Because neonatal estrogen treatment results in permanent changes in the female mouse genital tract (permanent vaginal cornification, cervical adenosis and tumors, changed growth control mechanisms in uterus), it was of interest to study possible acute and permanent effects of such treatment on distribution and levels of EGF, its receptor (EGF-r), and c-fos and to relate such changes to morphological development and appearance of epithelial abnormalities. METHODS: Immunohistochemical techniques using frozen sections from the uterus and vagina of neonatal and adult (ovariectomized, estradiol-treated) females, treated with olive oil or diethylstilbestrol in neonatal life. RESULTS: A difference in stromal-epithelial distribution of EGF was demonstrated with respect to region studied (uterus, vagina) and age (neonatal, adult). EGF was localized mainly in the uterine stroma but in both vaginal epithelium and stroma (with a different pattern compared to uterus). In neonatal females, EGF occurred in both tissue components in both regions, and the distribution pattern was quite different from that in adult females. The EGF level was increased by estrogen in adult but not in neonatal females. EGF-r and c-fos occurred in both uterine epithelium and stroma and in the vaginal epithelium; levels and distribution pattern were affected by estrogen. Neonatal estrogen treatment increased the levels of uterine EGF and c-fos in adult life. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct developmental changes in the distribution and estrogen sensitivity of EGF. Only further studies can prove or disprove the association between the earlier reported disturbed growth control mechanisms in the uterus of adult but neonatally estrogen-treated females and the increased levels of uterine EGF and c-fos. The present results do not seem to explain mechanisms involved in the origin of neonatally estrogen-induced cervicovaginal epithelial abnormalities, nor do they explain the earlier described difference in estrogen-induced proliferative response between the uterine cervix and uterus proper.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Granulated metrial gland cells in the murine uterus: localization, kinetics, and the functional role in angiogenesis during pregnancy.

Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are a major immune cell population in the murine pregnant uterus, and contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy by functioning as uterus-specific natural killer (NK) cells. In order to reveal their kinetics, activation, and functional roles in pregnancy, we conducted quantitative and immunohistochemical analyses in normal and immuno-modulator-treated mice. Under a light microscope, GMG cells were identified by red cytoplasmic granules in periodic-acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections. They progressively increased in number and size with the peak at day 12-14 of pregnancy in the decidua and metrial gland. New vessel formation was most prominent around day 8, and the total vascular area reached the peak at day 13. GMG cells were often located near the blood vessels, and expressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), suggesting their possible inducing role in angiogenesis during the development of decidua/metrial gland. While blood vessels in the non-pregnant uterus were negative for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, those in the pregnant one were positive. Treatment with neutralizing antibody against VCAM-1, however, did not decrease the number of GMG cells. On the other hand, mitosis of GMG cells was frequently observed. These data suggest that the increment of GMG cells during pregnancy may largely result from local proliferation in the uterus rather than an increased influx of precursor cells. Although we attempted to induce in vivo activation of GMG cells by administration of interleukin-12 (IL-12) or alpha-galactosylceramide, a potent activator for natural killer-T (NK-T) cells, the number of GMG cells did not appreciably increase. The present study has demonstrated that GMG cells locally proliferate in the pregnant uterus, not being related to VCAM-1 expression by the uterine vasculature or systemic activation of NK cells and NK-T cells, and seem to be involved in angiogenesis in the pregnant uterus through VEGF production.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Uterine-embryonic interaction in pig: activin, follistatin, and activin receptor II in uterus and embryo during early gestation.

The mRNA expression patterns of activin beta(A) and follistatin in the uterus and embryo, the mRNA expression of the activin receptor II in the embryo, and the localization in the uterus of the immunoreactive activin beta(A) and the receptor II proteins in the uterus were examined at gestation days 7-12 after ovulation in pig. Activin was located predominantly at the mesometrial side of the uterus during all stages of pregnancy studied. Follistatin mRNA was absent in the uterus during these stages, suggesting that activin of uterine origin is not inhibited by intra-uterine follistatin. The receptor was localized throughout the glandular and luminal epithelium of the uterus. In the embryo, activin was expressed predominantly in the epiblast before unfolding, but after unfolding of the epiblast activin expression shifted to the trophoblast. The expression pattern of follistatin mRNA was contrarily to that of activin, i.e., before unfolding predominantly in the trophoblast (days 8-9), and shifted to the epiblast at day 10. During streak stages, follistatin was detected in the node and primitive streak. Activin receptor II mRNA was first detected at day 8 in the embryoblast. At day 11, it was expressed in trophoblast cells near the epiblast, and in the first ingressing mesoderm cells. During the streak stages, it was expressed predominantly in the trophoblast. The presence of activin and its receptor in uterine epithelium and early embryonic tissues indicate that both embryonic and uterine activin are involved in intra-uterine processes, such as attachment and early embryonic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 390-399, 2001.

Activin Receptors, Type II↗
PubMed2004

Transcriptome of mouse uterus by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE): comparison with skeletal muscle.

The aim of this study was to identify the transcriptome of the normal mouse uterus by Serial Analysis of Gene Expression method. mRNA was extracted from the uterus and also from the gastrocnemius muscle of mice. Short sequences (tags), each one usually corresponding to a distinct transcript, were isolated and concatemerized into long DNA molecules which were cloned and sequenced. We detected 44,484 tags for the uterus and 42,518 tags for the muscle, representing 14,543 and 14,958 potential transcript species, respectively. Seventy-five and sixty-nine genes were expressed at more than 0.1%, thus corresponding to 37 and 34% of the mRNA population detected in the respective tissues. In both cases, the most highly expressed genes are especially involved in muscle contraction, energy metabolism, and protein synthesis. Compared to skeletal muscle, some differentially expressed genes in the uterus are likely to correspond to its specific reproductive functions. The majority of these genes remain to be characterized. More than 70% of the different tags detected in the uterus did not match any sequence in the public databases and can represent novel or poorly identified genes. This study is the first quantitative description of the transcriptome of the uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Effects of female sex hormones on polyamine-oxidizing enzyme activities and polyamine concentrations in immature rat uterus and liver.

17 beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) treatment of immature female rats (10 micrograms/100 g body weight) respectively resulted in 1.38-fold (p < 0.02) and 1.42-fold (p < 0.02) increase in the uterine polyamine oxidase activity, and 2.45-fold (p < 0.001) and 1.43-fold (p < 0.02) increase in the uterine diamine oxidase activity, as compared to the controls. E2 caused a 5-fold (p < 0.05) and a 1.36-fold (p < 0.05) increase in putrescine and spermidine concentration respectively in rat uterus. Increases of 1.7-fold (p < 0.02) and 1.6-fold (p < 0.05) in putrescine and spermine concentration were determined in the P-treated uterus, as compared to the controls. The spermidine/spermine ratio, which is regarded as an index of growth rate, was higher in the E2-treated uterus and lower in the P-treated uterus than in the control uterus. No statistically significant hormonal effects were estimated in the immature liver. The data reported suggest the possibility of an involvement of polyamine-oxidizing enzymes in the modulation of polyamine concentrations in rat uterus by the female sex hormones.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗