<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the histomorphology and the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and
estrogen receptor in the
uterus of
mice with autoimmune
premature ovarian failure (POF) induced by
zona pellucida 3
peptide (pZP3).</p><p><b>
METHODS </b>Autoimmune POP models were established in 20
female BALB/c
mice (7-8 weeks old) by
immunization with pZP3 and another 20
mice served as the
control group . The POP models were verified by vaginal
cytology ,
serum sex hormones ,
ovary histomorphology and ZP3 antibody
immunohistochemistry . The histomorphology and expressions of Ki-67,
estrogen receptor α and
estrogen receptor β in the
uterus of the
mice were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Autoimmune POP models were established successfully in 80% of the
mice at 8 weeks after the
immunization . Compared with those in the
control group , the
mice in the model group showed a smaller volume of the
uterus , thinner
endometrium and a reduced number of glands. The
luminal epithelial cells, glandular epithelial cells and
stromal cells in the
uterus of the model
mice all presented with a lower expression of Ki-67 than those in the
control group , and Ki-67 translocation from the nuclei to the
cytoplasm was found in the model group. The
luminal epithelial cells, glandular epithelial cells and
stromal cells showed positive ERα immunoreactivity in the model group but not in the
control group . No obvious ERβ expression was found in the
uterus in either of the groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>pZP3 can induce autoimmune POP, cause suppressed proliferation of the endometrial
epithelial cells and
stromal cells , and reduce the cellular expression of ERα in the
uterus of
mice .</p>