Pregnancy effects on distribution of progesterone receptors, oestrogen receptor alpha, glucocorticoid receptors, Ki-67 antigen and apoptosis in the bovine interplacentomal uterine wall and foetal membranes.

Until recently, studies dealing with the uterus of the pregnant cow focus primarily on the placentome or on early and late pregnancy. Thus, there is a paucity of information about many aspects of the interplacentomal uterine wall including adherent foetal membranes. Corresponding tissue specimens were collected at the slaughterhouse and in animals undergoing premature caesarean section.

Collagen types I, III and IV in the placentome and interplacentomal maternal and fetal tissues in normal cows and in cattle with retention of fetal membranes.

The increase in uterine mass during pregnancy requires the establishment of sufficient blood supply to and strong supportive elements within the uterus. These needs are correlated with the remodelling and production of ECM materials. Therefore, placentomes and interplacentomal parts of the uterine walls and adherent allantochorion were collected from 45 cows at slaughter.

Immunohistochemical assessment of progesterone, oestrogen and glucocorticoid receptors in bovine placentomes during pregnancy, induced parturition, and after birth with or without retention of fetal membranes.

Steroid hormones play an important role in placental development. However, the exact cellular site of hormone action has not been evaluated in bovine placentomes. Thus, the present immunohistochemical study was designed to assess the distribution of progesterone receptors, oestrogen receptors and glucocorticoid receptors in bovine placentomes.