title: Increased stem cell marker expressions during the peri-implantation period in the rat endometrium: constructive role of exogenous zinc and/or progesterone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to determine the effects of zinc and/or progesterone via the expression of α v β 5 integrins and Vitronectins and embryonic stem cell markers during the peri-implantation period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four experimental groups were organized. All subjects were mated with males of the same strain to induce pregnancy; after 5 days, zinc and/or progesterone were administered. Blood levels of zinc and progesterone were determined on the sixth day and endometrial tissues were obtained in order to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of integrins and embryonic stem cell markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The αvβ5 integrin and vitronectin expression increased in the zinc group compared with the control group and no difference in the progesterone group and zinc + progesterone group. Expression of Klf-4, Sox-2, and c-Myc was found to be increased in the zinc group compared to controls, while no difference was determined between the progesterone, zinc + progesterone, and control groups. Distinctively, expression of the embryonic stem cell marker Oct-4 was increased in all of the experimental groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of α v β 5 integrin, vitronectin, and embryonic stem cell markers might be increased by the administration of zinc. Our results suggest that zinc could be useful in the induction of implantation rates.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, 35170 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Cagdas
authors: C
authors: Sahin
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ozlem Yilmaz
authors: OY
authors: Dilsiz
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Sirin Bakti
authors: SB
authors: Demiray
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ozgur
authors: O
authors: Yeniel
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Mete
authors: M
authors: Ergenoglu
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ebru Demirel
authors: ED
authors: Sezer
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Gulperi
authors: G
authors: Oktem
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ege Nazan Tavmergen
authors: EN
authors: Goker
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, 35040 Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Erol
authors: E
authors: Tavmergen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D019096:Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000715469:Klf4 protein, rat; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019096:Vitronectin; C064660:integrin alphaVbeta5; D011374:Progesterone; D015032:Zinc