title: Vitamin D3 receptor is expressed in the endometrium of cycling mice throughout the estrous cycle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression and localization of vitamin D(3) receptor (VDR) in reproductive organs of cycling mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mature (8 to 12 weeks old) cycling female Balb/c mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive tissue, including endometrium, ovary, and fallopian tubes, were collected at each phase of estrous cycle to examine VDR expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of VDR messenger (mRNA) was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The presence and localization of VDR was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the intensity of VDR expression was quantified with U.S. National Institutes of Health image-analysis software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VDR mRNA was expressed in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. The relative expression of VDR mRNA at the estrus phase was more prominent compared with the other phases. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that dendritic cells, macrophages, and luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium, granulosa, and cumulus oophorus cells of the ovary and fallopian epithelial cells strongly express VDR, particularly during the estrus phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings have demonstrated, for the first time, that VDR is present and differentially expressed in murine reproductive organs throughout the estrous cycle. Further studies are required to evaluate the functional immunologic role of VDR.
authors.affiliation: Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zarnani
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahbazi
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salek-Moghaddam
authors.forename: Mehri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zareie
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
authors.forename: Jemileh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rezania
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moravej
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Torkabadi
authors.forename: Hodjattallah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rabbani
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeddi-Tehrani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D030762:Estrous Cycle; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol