Abstract

RIVAS, Piedad C; RODRIGUEZ, José M  and  HERNANDEZ, Aureliano. Quantification of endothelial cells expressing VEGF, iNOS and eNOS in the ovine endometrium at 20, 28 and 35 days of gestation. Rev Colom Cienc Pecua [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.3, pp.280-287. ISSN 0120-0690.

Using immunohistochemistry, the number of endothelial cells of the ovine endometrium, expressing vascular endotelial growth factor (VEGF) and two isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, endotelial (eNOS) and induced (iNOS) was calculated, at 20, 28 and 35 d of gestation. Four uterine zones corresponding to embryo localization, very near, near and far from it, were established. The number of immunoreactive cells expressing all studied molecules was highest at the embryo location zone, intermediate values were obtained in the correspondent uterine zones and lowest in the more distant one. The number of cells expressing VEGF was higher than the correspondent value for eNOS and the latter was higher than the value for iNOS. The expression of VEGF in the trophoblast is reported as an incidental finding. Based on present results, it appears that VEGF, iNOS and eNOS act sinergically or in an independent manner to promote vascular development. It is feasible that another molecules act in the same way, after the 35d of gestation.

Keywords : endometrium; endothelium; eNOS; ewe; gestation; iNOS; VEGF.

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