Human endometrial matrix metalloproteinase-2, a putative menstrual proteinase. Hormonal regulation in cultured stromal cells and messenger RNA expression during the menstrual cycle.

Proteinases are likely effectors of endometrial menstrual breakdown. We have investigated proteinase production by human endometrial stromal cells subjected in vitro to progesterone (P) withdrawal, the physiologic stimulus for menstruation. Culture media of cells exposed to estradiol, P, or estradiol plus P had low levels of proteolytic activity similar to cultures maintained in the absence of steroids.

Expression of insulin-like growth factors I and II in conceptuses from normal and diabetic mice.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) play an important regulatory role in fetal growth and development. Alterations in expression of these growth factors may result in developmental abnormalities, macrosomia, and intrauterine growth retardation, which occur with a higher incidence in diabetic pregnancies. In situ hybridization histochemistry was employed to investigate the distribution and abundance of IGF-I and IGF-II in peri-implantation and postimplantation conceptuses from normal and streptozotocin-treated diabetic mice.