title: Prostaglandin F receptor expression in intrauterine tissues of pregnant rats.
abstract: In this investigation, we studied the expression and localization of rat prostaglandin F (FP) receptor in uterine tissues of rats on gestational Days 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 21.5 and postpartal Days 1 and 3 using Western blotting analysis, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. A high level of immunoreactivity was observed on gestational Days 20, 21, and 21.5 with the most significant signals found on Day 20. FP receptor protein was expressed starting on gestational Day 15, and a fluctuating unsteady increase was observed until delivery. Uterine FP receptor mRNA levels were low between Days 10 and 18 of gestation (p < 0.05). The transcript level increased significantly on Day 20 and peaked on Day 21.5 just before labor (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between FP receptor mRNA expression and serum estradiol levels (rs = 0.78; p < 0.01) along with serum estradiol/progesterone ratios (rs = 0.79; p < 0.01). In summary, we observed an increase FP receptor expression in rat uterus with advancing gestation, a marked elevation of expression at term, and a concominant decrease during the postpartum period. These findings indicate a role for uterine FP receptors in the mediation of uterine contractility at term.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animals Breeding and Experimental Research Center, Gazi University, Ankara 06510 , Turkey.elvanadol@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Elvan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anadol
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanca
authors.forename: Atiye Seda
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yar
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Helvacioğlu
authors.forename: Sevda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menevşe
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calgüner
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdoğan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005865:Gestational Age; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; C034671:prostaglandin F2alpha receptor
keywords: immunohistochemistry; pregnancy; prostaglandin F receptor; rat; uterus