Variation in the estrogen receptor content of canine uterine tissue throughout the estrous cycle.
The estrogen receptor (ER) was visualized immunohistochemically in paraffin sections of the canine uterus using a monoclonal antibody. The ER-expression was quantified by means of an immunohistochemical score. In the uterine horns highest scores were found during proestrus and lowest scores during early metestrus. Staining scores in the uterine body and cervix were high during estrus and metestrus compared with the uterine horns. A negative correlation was found between serum progesterone levels and immunohistochemical staining for ER in the uterine horns. The fluctuations in immunohistochemical scores were more pronounced in the endometrial stroma cells than in the epithelial cells of the uterine horns and therefore stromal cells may be of higher importance than epithelial cells concerning cyclic endometrial changes and uterine pathology.
Vermeirsch
H
H
Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium. Hilde.Vermeirsch@rug.ac.be
Simoens
P
P
Lauwers
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D004971:Estrus / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011374:Progesterone