The effect of transforming growth factor-alpha on the progression of decidualization in rats.
Although transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), one of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors, is expressed in the rat decidual cells, its roles in decidualization remain to be elucidated. This study examined the effect of TGF-alpha on the progression of decidualization and a possibility for involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) in its action. Pseudopregnant rats were ovariectomized and given endometrial trauma on Day 5 (vaginal plug = Day 1) and were daily treated with 2 mg progesterone thereafter. Immunocytochemical localization of EGF receptor was distinctly evident in the decidual, stromal and epithelial cells on Day 7. Continuous infusion of TGF-alpha (500 pg/h) into the uterine lumen from Day 7 significantly increased weights of the uterine horns with deciduomata on Day 9. Although injection on Day 7 of indomethacin, an inhibitor of PGs synthesis, decreased the uterine weight, this effect was overridden by the continuous infusion of this growth factor. These results demonstrated the stimulatory action of TGF-alpha on the progression of decidualization. Further, TGF-alpha increased the secretion of prostaglandin E in cultured decidual and/or stromal cells dose-dependently, suggesting the possibility that PGs mediate the action of this growth factor.
Tamada
H
H
Laboratory of Theriogenology, Graduate School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan. tamada@vet.osakafu-u.ac.jp
Sakaguchi
H
H
Inaba
T
T
Kawate
N
N
Sawada
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000187:drug effects*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D007213:Indomethacin