Rat luminal cell nuclear area changes correlated with uterine growth responses induced by a low dose infusion or injection of estradiol-17 beta.
Rat uterine luminal epithelial cells (LEC) responded differently when exposed to an injection of 1.0 microgram estradiol-17 beta (E2) compared to a continuous infusion of E2 at the rate of 1.0 microgram/24 hours. After injection or beginning infusion, LEC mean nuclear area significantly decreased by 4 h, then increased thereafter. After injection, nuclear area distributions were determined at each time point. The percentage of large nuclei (greater than 40 mu 2) decreased by 4h postinjection and remained a relatively small proportion of the population, while the percentage of nuclei of 20-30 mu 2 areas increased throughout the experiment. During infusion, the percentage of large nuclei decreased by 4h after pump implantation, then increased. Only infusion induced sustained, increased uterine protein content, DNA synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity. This study suggests that E2 treatment modality induces differences in nuclear size in target cells as well as in biochemical parameters.
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004261:DNA Replication; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010052:Ovariectomy; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004958:Estradiol; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase