title: Localization of Bcl-2 in the human fetal müllerian tract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if apoptosis is involved in development of the human fetal mullerian tract and regression of the uterine septum and to localize Bcl-2. a protein involved with regulating apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight human fetal uteri from 12 to 21 weeks' gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody for Bcl-2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunostaining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bcl-2 was localized in endometrial cells, tubal muscularis and epithelium, and myometrial edges. It was absent from the septum of 4 uteri.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of Bcl-2 suggests that development of the human fetal müllerian tract involves apoptosis. Bcl-2 may protect the fetal endometrium from apoptosis as it continues to grow. The superior, inferior, and lateral myometrium as well as the tubal epithelium and muscularis also may represent active growth zones that are protected from apoptosis. The notable absence of staining for Bcl-2 in the embryonal uterine septum may indicate lack of protection from apoptosis in this area. This finding supports our hypothesis that apoptosis may be a mechanism by which the uterine septum regresses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osathanondh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2