Distribution of androgen receptor in the porcine uterus throughout pregnancy

M Słomczyńska, M Duda, M Burek… - … in domestic animals, 2008 - Wiley Online Library
M Słomczyńska, M Duda, M Burek, K Knapczyk, D Czaplicki, M Koziorowski
Reproduction in domestic animals, 2008Wiley Online Library
Contents The uterus is a well‐known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting
molecules among which steroid hormones (oestrogens, androgens and progesterone) are
of special importance. The uterine tissues (endometrium and myometrium) undergo
morphological and physiological changes which are associated with changes in expression
of steroid hormone receptors. Androgen receptors (AR) that mediate the action of androgens
have already been detected in porcine uteri during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy …
Contents
The uterus is a well‐known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting molecules among which steroid hormones (oestrogens, androgens and progesterone) are of special importance. The uterine tissues (endometrium and myometrium) undergo morphological and physiological changes which are associated with changes in expression of steroid hormone receptors. Androgen receptors (AR) that mediate the action of androgens have already been detected in porcine uteri during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. To evaluate the role of AR in uterine physiology, the presence of ARmRNA and AR protein localization in the porcine uterus from day 10 to day 90 of pregnancy and in the uterus from the foetus of day 90 postcoitum (p.c.) and from the neonatal 1‐day‐old piglet was studied. ARmRNA was detected in the porcine endometrium up to day 18 p.c., while AR protein was detectable in glandular epithelium and stromal cells as through day 90 of pregnancy. AR was also detected in the myometrium on all investigated days of pregnancy; however, on day 90, the immunostaining was present only in a limited number of cells. AR immunostaining was clearly demonstrated in the uterus of the female foetuses on day 90 as well as in the uterus of 1‐day‐old piglets. The physiological relevance of this finding needs further elucidation.
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