Degeneration and apoptosis of endometrial cells in the bitch.
The relationships between changes in plasma progesterone concentrations, degeneration of the luminal epithelium, the occurrence of apoptosis of endometrial cells and endometrial leucocyte populations in the bitch were determined. Mature bitches (n = 15) were euthanized and necropsied when in diestrus (Days 7-75, n = 12) or in anestrus (Days 10, 32 and 53). Degeneration of the luminal epithelium was observed in bitches in late diestrus (Days 38-75, n = 5) when plasma progesterone concentrations were decreasing and in anestrus (Days 10 and 32, n = 2) when plasma progesterone concentrations were < 0.5 ng/mL. Endometrial leucocyte populations increased after degeneration of the luminal epithelium (around Day 42 of diestrus). Apoptosis was mainly observed in the basal glandular epithelial cells and endothelial cells of blood capillaries in all except anestrous bitches. Very few apoptotic cells were found in the superficial glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells. Higher apoptotic indices were detected in the basal glandular epithelium on Days 12-42 of diestrus than at other stages. Therefore, apoptosis of glandular basal epithelial cells occurred mainly in early diestrus, degeneration of cells of the luminal epithelium occurred from mid-diestrus to early anestrus, and the increase in leucocyte numbers may have been a consequence and not a cause of luminal epithelial degeneration.
Chu
Po-yin
PY
Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
Lee
C S
CS
Wright
P J
PJ
D000780:Anestrus / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D004031:Diestrus / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000662:veterinary; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D011374:Progesterone