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Induction of Decidualization in Rats by the Intrauterine Infusion of Prostaglandins1

1982; Oxford University Press; Volume: 27; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1095/biolreprod27.1.253

1529-7268

T. G. Kennedy, Lori A. Lukash,

Estrogen and related hormone effects

Alzet Osmotic minipumps, attached to the ovarian end of the uterine horn, were used to infuse prostaglandins unilaterally into the uterine lumen of mature ovariectomized rats which had been treated with a regimen of estradiol and progesterone to sensitize the uteri for the decidual cell reaction. The rats were treated with indomethacin prior to the insertion of the pumps to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin production. Decidualization was assessed 4 days later by determining uterine weights and by histological examination; the geometric mean weight of horns infused with vehicle (1 μl/h) was 332 mg, significantly less than those of horns infused with prostaglandin E2 (1 μg/h), prostaglandin F2α (1 μg/h) or combined prostaglandins E2 and F2α (geometric means of 939, 763 and 1114 mg, respectively). The dose-response relationship for prostaglandins E2 and F2α did not differ significantly. To determine if prostaglandin synthesis is required throughout the post-stimulus period to obtain full decidualization, rats were given a single injection of 2 mg indomethacin either 2 h before, or 12, 24 or 48 h after the deciduogenic stimulus, a unilateral intrauterine injection of 50 μl sesame oil. As assessed by uterine weights 4 days later, decidualization was reduced by indomethacin treatment. In the stimulated, compared to the nonstimulated horns, uterine concentrations of prostaglandins E and F were markedly elevated 5 mm after intraluminal oil, but returned to concentrations which were not significantly higher by 6 h and 24 h, respectively. These data suggest that prostaglandins are involved throughout the transformation of endometrial stromal cells to decidual cells in rats.