Immunohistochemical Localization of the Progesterone and Oestrogen α Receptors in the Uterine Horns of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) |
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| Authors: | M‐C Madekurozwa B O Oke A K Akinloye |
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| Institution: | 1. Addresses of authors: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa;2. Corresponding author: Tel.: +27 12 529 8417;3. fax: +27 12 529 8320;4. e‐mail: mary.madekurozwa@up.ac.za;5. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, P.M.B. 2081, Ibadan, Nigeria;6. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | The present study investigated the immunolocalization of the progesterone and oestrogen α receptors in the uterine horns of the African giant rat during the oestrous cycle. The progesterone and oestrogen α receptors were demonstrated in various cellular constituents of the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium. The intensity of progesterone and oestrogen α receptor immunostaining in the endometrial and myometrial layers of the uterine horns varied during the oestrous cycle. The intensity of oestrogen α receptor immunoreactivity in the luminal epithelium was high during pro‐oestrus, oestrus and dioestrus. Progesterone and oestrogen α receptor immunoreactivity in the endometrial epithelia was absent during metoestrus. Moderate to strong immunostaining for the progesterone and oestrogen α receptors was demonstrated in the myometrial smooth muscle cells during pro‐oestrus, oestrus and dioestrus. The intensity of progesterone and oestrogen α receptor immunostaining in the myometrial smooth muscle cells was low during metoestrus. Stromal cells in the perimetrium consistently expressed progesterone and oestrogen α receptor immunoreactivity throughout the oestrous cycle. The findings of the study indicate that in the giant rat the immunolocalization of the progesterone and oestrogen α receptors, in endometrial and myometrial regions of the uterine horns, varies during the oestrous cycle. |
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