ABSTRACT
Background: The uterus is a dynamic tissue responding to hormonal changes during reproductive cycles. As such, uterine stem cells have been studied in recent years. Transcription factors oct4 and sox2 are critical for effective maintenance of pluripotent cell identity
Objective: The present research evaluated the mRNA expression of oct4 and sox2 in the uterine tissues of ovariectomized mice treated with steroid hormones
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, adult virgin female mice were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol 17 [E2], progesterone [P4], and a combination of E2 and P4 [E2 and P4] for 5 days. Uterine tissues were removed, and immunofluorescent [IF] staining and quantitative real-time PCR of oct4 and sox2 markers were performed
Results: IF showed oct4 and sox2 expression in the uterine endometrium and myometrium among all groups. The mRNA expression of oct4 [p=0.022] and sox2 [p=0.042] in the E2-treated group significantly were decreased compared to that in the control group. By contrast, the mRNA expression of oct4 and sox2 in the P4 [p=0.641 and 0.489 respectively] and E2 and P4-treated groups [p=0.267 and 0.264 respectively] did not show significant differences compared to the control group
Conclusion: The results indicate ovarian steroid hormones change the expression of oct4 and sox2 in the mice uterine tissues, which suggest the involvement of steroid hormonal regulation in uterine stem cells
ABSTRACT
Since the uterine is a sensitive tissue to steroid hormones, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 17 beta-estradiol [E2] and progesterone [P4] alone or in combination on morphological and morphometrically parameters of ovariectomized mouse uterus
Adult virgin female mice [8-10 weeks old]were ovariectomized and treated with E2, P4, E2 followed by P4 and the oil vehicle alone for 5-days period. Uterine tissue was removed, and processed for histology assessment. The total uterine diameter were significantly higher [P < 0.05] following E2 treatment and Maximum diameter of uterine lumen, myometrium and endometrium were recorded after this treatment regimen. Sequential treatment with oestradiol and then progesterone caused both mitotic activity and cell degeneration. P4 treatment induced signs of active secretion in the endometrium glands and symptoms of degeneration and cell death. Estradiol treatment induced growth of uterine tissue. Subsequent treatment with progesterone stimulated uterine tissues to reach maximum size and maturity which is necessary to modify the uterus in preparation for pregnancy