ABSTRACT
Rat vaginal epithelial layers from animals in different phases of the estrous cycle showed positive immunofluorescence when treated with either monoclonal antibody to intermediate filaments or immunoglobulin G fraction of antiserum raised against epidermal keratin filaments. During estrus, the intensity of fluorescence observed was maximum in the keratinized cellular layers. In estradiol-primed immature and ovariectomized rats the maximum fluorescence intensity was observed in the layers immediately lining the lumen. However, basal layers in ovariectomized rats also showed some fluorescence. Data presented in this communication indicate that the abundance of keratin filaments in vaginal epithelial cells can be modulated by altering the level of estradiol in the system.
ABSTRACT
Conditions have been standardized to maintain rat vaginal epithelial cells in vitro with more than 95% viability. Cultured epithelial cells were used to study the effects of normal fetal calf scrum, estradiol and progesterone on the incorporation of [3H]-uridine in RNA and incorporation of [l4C]-aminoacids in proteins. While fetal calf serum and estradiol stimulate the incorporation of both uridine and afno acids, progesterone did not show any effect. Estradiol treated vaginal cells show typical fcroridges (indicative of keratinization of cells) in contrast to estradiol deprived cells, which show microvilli on cell surface when examined in scanning electron microscope.