Expression of the erbB/HER receptor family in the bovine uterus during the sexual cycle and the relation of this family to serum sex steroids.

Our study was designed to investigate immunohistochemically the expression of the receptors of the erbB/HER family (erbB1/HER1, erbB2/HER2, erbB3/HER3, erbB4/HER4) in the bovine uterus during the follicular and luteal phases of the sexual cycle, and the relation to ovarian sex steroids. The stage of the estrous cycle in 30 Holstein bovine was assessed based on the gross and histological appearance of the ovaries and uterus, and on blood steroid hormone levels. Tissue samples taken from the uterus were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for routine histological processing. Positive membrane and cytoplasmic staining of varying intensity were determined in the uterus during the follicular and luteal phases of the sexual cycle for erbB/HER receptors in luminal and glandular epithelial cells, connective tissue, smooth muscle and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. We demonstrated that the apical and basal membranes of luminal epithelial cells and the apical membrane of glandular epithelial cells reacted with erbB1/HER1 and erbB2/HER2 during both the follicular and luteal phases. The reaction for erbB3/HER3 and erbB4/HER4 was stronger in the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelial cells, but was heterogeneous. During both the follicular and luteal phases, the percentage and staining intensity of luminal and superficial glandular epithelial cells reacting positively with the receptors erbB1/HER1, erbB2/HER2, erbB3/HER3 and erbB4/HER4 were greater than those of deep glandular epithelial and connective tissue cells (p < 0.05). We demonstrated that the expression of the erbB/HER receptor family varied with different cell types in the bovine uterus during the follicular and luteal phases.

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