Progesterone and estrogen receptors in the myometrium of the cow during the estrous cycle and pregnancy and of the sheep at the time of parturition

doi:10.1016/0378-4320(92)90033-A

Animal Reproduction Science

Volume 29, Issues 3–4, October 1992, Pages 195-203

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(92)90033-A Get rights and content

Abstract

By means of saturation analysis and charcoal-adsorption techniques, cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-concentrations (fmol mg⁻¹ cytosolic protein) were determined in the myometrium of cyclic and pregnant cows and of cows and sheep in parturition (animals given a cesaerean section). Results obtained were correlated with the respective concentrations of progesterone (P), estradiol-17β (E2) and, in the pregnant/parturient animals only, estrone (E1) and estrone sulphate (E1S). In cyclic cows the course of ER and PR levels was positively correlated (r=+0.97) with changes in E2-concentrations; values were highest at estrus (PR=1432; ER=287) and lowest (P<0.01) during diestrus (PR=296; ER=97). In pregnant cows, PR remained constant at around 210 until parturition, suggesting a maintained responsiveness of the myometrium to P. Estrogen receptors (ER) decreased from 95 in the first trimester to five at parturition (P<0.01), while E1 and E1S were significantly increased towards parturition. This observation would suggest a down-regulation of ER and hence a loss of sensitivity of this organ to estrogens. In parturient sheep, ER and PR were at 15 and 33, respectively.

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Immunohistochemical localization of androgen and progesterone receptors in the uterus of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)
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Citation Excerpt :
However, some reports about PR localization in the uteri of camel have been published (Homeida et al., 2010; Abd-Elnaeim and Al-kheraije, 2012). PR is also localized in the uteri of ruminants: in cows (Boos et al., 1996; Dall’Aglio et al., 1999; Kimmins and MacLaren, 2001; Robinson et al., 2001); in llama (Bianchi et al., 2007) and in sheep (Klauke and Hoffmann, 1992; Wathes and Hammon, 1993; Spencer and Bazer, 1995; Ing and Tornesi, 1997). Considering the absence of literature describing the uterine AR in camels, the aim of the present study was to evaluate immunohistochemically the specific cellular sites for AR in the uterus of cyclic dromedary camels (during the follicular phase).
Ten adult, cyclic female camels (Camelus dromedarius) were used to describe the distribution of androgen (AR) and progesterone (PR) receptors in the uterus using immunohistochemistry. Both AR and PR were distributed throughout the different compartments of the uterus with nuclear staining for AR and PR seen in the cells of epithelia (luminal and glandular), stroma and myometrial smooth muscles. AR immunostaining was not uniform in distribution and intensity; the surface epithelium and the glandular epithelium in the adluminal region of the endometrium showed lower AR immunoreactivity than other compartments of the uterus. PR immunostaining showed uniformity in both distribution and intensity strong PR immunostaining intensity in almost all cells of the different uterine compartments. The intensity and distribution of PR immunostaining in epithelia of lumen and glands in the adluminal regions of endometrium was higher (P < 0.05) than that of AR. In conclusion, immunohistochemical localization of AR and PR in the uterus of the cyclic dromedary camel indicates the important roles of androgen and progesterone in controlling the uterine activity during the follicular phase.
Distribution of estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor, and leukocyte infiltration in the cervix of cyclic bitches and those with pyometra
2011, Theriogenology
Citation Excerpt :
The function of the cervix during various stages of the estrous cycle is regulated by circulating steroid hormones through their specific receptors [1,2].
The objectives were to localize estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR), and enumerate leukocyte infiltration in cervical tissue of normal bitches during various stages of the estrous cycle (n = 35), as well as in those developing open (n = 22) or closed-cervix pyometra (n = 19). Each pyometra group was subdivided into anestrus and diestrus. Cervical tissues were collected after ovariohysterectomy. Receptor expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry and leukocyte infiltration was evaluated in histological sections stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The assessment was performed in two parts of cervical sections: the uterine part in four tissue layers (surface epithelium (SE), lamina propria (LP), glandular epithelium (GE), and tunica muscularis (M)), and the vaginal part in three layers (SE, LP and M). An immunohistochemical total score consisted of the addition of both the intensity and proportional scores. The ERα and PR scores differed between groups (P < 0.05) and between layers (P < 0.05), but were not significantly different between uterine and vaginal parts. The ERα score was lowest in the open-cervix pyometra bitches at anestrus and in closed-cervix pyometra bitches at diestrus. For all types of immune cells, there were no significant differences among stages of the estrous cycle in normal bitches, whereas neutrophils were lower in both sub-groups of closed-cervix versus open-cervix pyometra (P < 0.05). In conclusion, distributions of ERα and PR were similar along the longitudinal axis of the canine cervix. We inferred that cervical dilation in normal bitches and bitches with uterine pathology was likely controlled by different mechanisms. Receptor expressions were influenced by stage of the estrous cycle in normal bitches, whereas neutrophil infiltration in cervical tissue appeared to be involved in cervical dilation in bitches with pyometra, regardless of estrous stages.
Fibroblastic growth factor receptor (FGF-R) expression during uterine involution in goat
2002, Animal Reproduction Science
To investigate the possible participation of fibroblastic growth factors (FGFs) in endometrial involution, 20 multiparous goats, slaughtered on days 0, 1, 4, 10, 16 and 22 postpartum (pp), were used. Samples of different parts of the previous pregnant horns were taken and processed using streptoavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method to analyse FGF receptor (FGF-R) expression. The percentage of positive cells in luminal epithelium, superficial and deep glands and stroma was evaluated. Epithelial, glandular and stromal cells exhibited FGF-R immunoreactivity. No differences between caruncular and inter-caruncular epithelium were observed and staining was most evident in the superficial glands. The greatest degree of FGF-R expression was seen on days 10 and 16 pp, coinciding with epithelial and stromal cellular regeneration. These results suggest that caprine uterine involution is associated with variations in the expression of FGF-R.
Estrogen and progesterone receptors in the ovine cervix during the postpartum period
2000, Theriogenology
Cervical estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) receptors were characterized and quantified during the postpartum period in Corriedale ewes lambing in the late breeding season. Cervices and uteri were collected after ovariohysterectomy at 1 d (n=2), 5 d (n=4), 17 d (n=2) or 30 d (n=2) post partum. The estrogen and progesterone receptors were measured using binding assays with tritiated hormones, dextran charcoal separation and inverse Scatchard analysis. Similar kinetic parameters in cytosolic binding sites for both hormones were found in all cervical and uterine samples, indicating that the binding protein in both tissues is of the same nature. Receptor concentrations (fmol/mg cytosolic protein) in the cervix of early (1 to 5 d, n=6) and late (17 to 30 d, n=4) postpartum ewes were 348 ± 66 vs 994 ± 145 (P<0.05) for E and 618 ± 126 vs 1170 ± 201 (P<0.05) for P, respectively. These data suggest an increased synthesis of receptors, probably due to the presence of ovarian estrogen-active follicles. Cervical E and P receptor concentrations were similar or higher than those in the uterus (1.40 ± 0.15, n=10 and 1.51 ± 0.19, n=10; for E and P respectively), and these receptor ratios did not differ between the early and late postpartum period. The high ratio between cervical/uterine receptors suggests that the ovine cervix may be a very sensitive to steroid action. In conclusion, it was shown that restoration of steroid receptors during the postpartum period in the ovine cervix is similar to receptor dynamics in the uterus, and is probably associated with the recovery of ovarian cyclicity.
Restoration of estrogen and progesterone uterine receptors during the ovine postpartum period
1996, Theriogenology
Estrogen and progesterone uterine cytosolic receptors (E₂R and P₄R) were investigated in postpartum ewes that lambed during the breeding season. Reproductive organs of 10 multiparous Corriedale ewes were studied after ovarihysterectomies at Day 1 (n = 2), 5 (n = 4), 17 (n = 2) or 30 (n = 2) post partum. E₂R and P₄R were determined by binding assays with tritiated hormones, dextrancharcoal separation and inverse Scatchard analysis. Follicles present at ovarian surface at time of ovarihysterectomy were recorded and progesterone profiles were determined to evaluate ovarian activity restoration.
High-affinity binding sites for both receptors were found in all uterine tissue samples; Kd values (Mean ± SEM) were 0.42 ± 0.04 nM (n = 10) for E₂R and 0.76 ± 0.10 nM (n = 10) for P₄R. Binding affinity did not differ in the different postpartum days. Both E₂R and P₄R. levels in early post partum (Days 1 to 5) were significantly lower than late postpartum (Days 17 to 30). Mean values (± SD) expressed as $fmol mg$ protein for E₂R were 173 ± 54 (n = 6) and 322 ± 77 (n = 4; P < 0.05), and for P₄R they were 253 ± 84 (n = 6) and 604 ± 356 (n = 4; P < 0.05). There was an inverse relationship between uterine weights and E₂R contents, (r = −0.64, n = 10; P < 0.05) and P₄R contents, (r = −0.75, n = 9; P < 0.05). While only 1 ovarihysterectomized ewe ( $16$ ) at Days 1 to 5 had a follicle larger than 4 mm (presumptive estrogen-active follicle) all the ewes (4/4) ovarihysterectomized at Days 17 to 30 presented follicles of this size (P < 0.05). This data suggests that the postpartum restoration of uterine receptor levels was probably due to the recovery of the ovarian activity and the subsequent up-regulation exerted by estrogen of follicular origin. The P₄R values were positively correlated with E₂R concentrations, (r = 0.78; P < 0.05) and support this hypothesis.
In conclusion, we have shown that the uterine tissue recovers its steroid receptor contents as uterine involution and reassumption of ovarian activity takes places.

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Progesterone and estrogen receptors in the myometrium of the cow during the estrous cycle and pregnancy and of the sheep at the time of parturition

Abstract

Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.

Analysis of progesterone receptor binding in the ovine uterus

Steroids

Cytoplasmic and nuclear estradiol and progesterone receptors in human endometrium

J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.

Parturition

Steroid hormone receptors: intracellular distribution

Biol. Cell

Cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors in human myometrium during menstrual cycle and in pregnancy at term

J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.

Remodeling the estrogen receptor model

Mol. Cell. Endocrinol.

An efficient procedure for the determination of progesterone by radioimmunoassay applied to bovine peripheral plasma

Hormone Res.

Changes of progesterone, total oestrogens, corticosteroids, prolactin and LH in bovine peripheral plasma around parturition with special reference to the effect of exogenous corticoids and a prolactin inhibitor respectively

Acta Endocrinol. (Copenhagen)

Free and conjugated steroids in the maternal and fetal plasma in the cow near term

Biol. Reprod.

The Physiology and Biochemistry of the Uterus in Pregnancy and Labor

Inhibition of corticoid-induced parturition by progesterone in cattle: effect on delivery and calf viability

J. Reprod. Fertil.

Activation of transcription-regulating proteins by steroids

J. Steroid Biochem.