Endometrial modifications during early pregnancy in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata)
Gracy X. Rosario A , Serena J. D’Souza B , Dhananjay D. Manjramkar C , Vipul Parmar A , Chander P. Puri A and Geetanjali Sachdeva A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Primate Biology Division, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India.
B Electron Microscopy Facility, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India.
C Animal House Facility, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India.
D Corresponding author. Email: ritugeet@vsnl.net
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 20(2) 281-294 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD07152
Submitted: 9 September 2007 Accepted: 29 October 2007 Published: 4 January 2008
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate endometrial modifications that occur before embryo invasion in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). These changes were analysed in luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium and stroma of endometrial functionalis on Day 6 post ovulation from pregnant and non-pregnant animals (n = 4 each) by transmission electron microscopy. Distinct features (i.e. loss of columnar shape by epithelial cells, changes in mitochondrial size and diffused apicolateral gap junctions) were observed in the luminal and glandular epithelium in pregnant animals. Stromal compaction was also observed in pregnant animals. Further, immunogold localisation studies demonstrated significantly higher expression (P < 0.05) of oestrogen receptor α, an oestrogen-regulated gene, in the glandular epithelium and stroma of the endometrium in pregnant animals compared with non-pregnant animals. Expression of two other genes known to be regulated by oestradiol, namely β-actin and cyclo-oxygenase-1, were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the endometria of pregnant animals. These studies demonstrate marked changes in the endometrium before embryo invasion in bonnet monkeys. These studies also indicate altered oestrogenic activity in the uterine milieu before embryo invasion.
Additional keywords: endometrium, oestrogen receptor, ultrastructure.
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