Time-course of the uterine response to estradiol-17beta in ovariectomized ewes: expression of angiogenic factors.
Uterine expression of angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF]) was evaluated in ovariectomized ewes at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, or 72 h after estradiol (E2) treatment. Endometrial VEGF mRNA increased more than 5-fold from 0 to 4 h, remained elevated at 8 h, and then declined through 72 h after E2 treatment. In contrast, endometrial bFGF mRNA remained constant from 0 to 4 h, increased 2.2-fold from 4 to 8 h, remained elevated at 24 h, and then declined through 72 h. Immunostaining for VEGF was present in myometrial and endometrial microvessels (arterioles, venules, and/or capillaries) and also in myometrial smooth muscle; the pattern of VEGF immunostaining followed that of mRNA expression, being elevated at 4 and 8 h after E2 treatment. Immunostaining for bFGF was present exclusively in uterine glands; the pattern of bFGF immunostaining also followed that of its mRNA, being elevated at 8 and 24 h after E2. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that VEGF and bFGF are probably important factors responsible for the dramatic uterine microvascular response that occurs 8 to 24 h after E2 treatment in ovariectomized ewes.
Department of Animal & Range Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, 58105, USA. lreynold@prairie.nodak.edu
L P
LP
Reynolds
J D
JD
Kirsch
K C
KC
Kraft
D A
DA
Redmer
D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000737:chemistry; D009215:Myometrium / Q000098:blood supply; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D004958:Estradiol