Lectin receptors for endometrial H-type 1 antigen on goat conceptuses.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine if caprine conceptuses express lectin-like receptors for endometrial H-type 1 (HT1) antigen.


METHODS
Conceptus tissues were collected during the apposition, adhesion and attachment phases of placentation and evaluated using immunofluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
Conceptus staining for the trisaccharide lacto-N-fucopentaose-1 was strong and uniform during apposition of fetal and maternal tissues but changed by day 25 of pregnancy when large aggregates of intense staining were observed. Monoclonal antibodies to galectin-3 did not stain conceptus tissue during the apposition phase but intense punctate staining was observed after day 25. Strong uniform staining for Lewis Y antigen was detected only on day 17 of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Conceptus tissue expresses potential receptors for endometrial HT1 antigen. Carbohydrate-lectin interactions may facilitate attachment of the apical surfaces of uterine epithelial cells and trophectoderm during the early stages of placentation.
Woldesenbet
S
S
Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 7746-4079, USA.
Garcia
R
R
Igbo
N
N
Leake
J
J
Lewis
S K
SK
Newton
G R
GR
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D001665:Binding Sites; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D006041:Goats / Q000378:metabolism*; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D015053:Zygote / Q000378:metabolism*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3; C403410:H-type-1 antigen; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; C094162:Lewis Y antigen; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D014312:Trisaccharides