Cervical changes in estrogen receptor alpha, oxytocin receptor, LH receptor, and cyclooxygenase-2 depending on the histologic compartment, longitudinal axis, and day of the ovine estrous cycle.
The aim was to investigate the histologic distribution of estrogen receptor α (ERα), oxytocin receptor (OxR), LH receptor (LHR), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the cervix of the ewe during the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the cranial and caudal cervix of Corriedale ewes on Day 1 (n = 6), 6 (n = 5), or 13 (n = 6) after estrous detection (Day 0). The ERα proportional score (%ERα nuclei) was lower in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix, whereas the OxR and COX-2 immunostaining areas (%areas) were greater in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix (P < 0.04). The %ERα nuclei decreased from Days 1 to 13 in luminal epithelia, but increased from Days 1 to 6 or remained unchanged in stromata (P < 0.003). The %OxR area was higher on Day 6 than on Days 1 and 13 in the superficial glandular epithelium, and increased from Days 1 to 13 in the deep glandular epithelium (P < 0.04). The %LHR area increased during the estrous cycle in luminal epithelia and fold stroma (P < 0.004). The %COX-2 area was restricted to epithelia, and it was lower on Day 1 than on Days 6 and 13 in luminal epithelia (P < 0.05). Differences in ERα, OxR, LHR, and COX-2 between cranial and caudal cervical zones indicate different physiological functions, and their cyclic variations in the cervical epithelia, in contrast to little or no variations in the stroma, suggest a hormone-responsive driving role of epithelia in cervical function.
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: marodri@fvet.edu.uy.
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Rodríguez-Piñón
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Gonzalez
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Tasende
Department of Morphology and Development, Histology and Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Bielli
Department of Morphology and Development, Histology and Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Genovese
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Garófalo
D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011974:Receptors, LH; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2
Cervix; Cyclooxygenase-2; Estrous cycle; Ewe; Hormone receptor