ABSTRACT
The effects of pregnancy and undernutrition on endometrial gene expression were investigated in ewes fed all or half their maintenance requirements and killed on Day 14 of pregnancy or of the oestrous cycle. The endometrial expression of progesterone, oestrogen, oxytocin and interferon receptors (PR, ERalpha, OXTR and IFNAR, respectively), cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and -II, and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was studied by immunohistochemistry or real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The luminal epithelium of cyclic control ewes was devoid of PR staining and had relatively high levels of ERalpha, OXTR, COX-2 and IFNAR2. The presence of a conceptus decreased the in vitro uterine secretion of prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) and the expression of IFNAR2 in most cell types, and increased the gene expression of IGF-I and IGF-II. Undernutrition tended to increase ERalpha protein and gene, but decreased in vitro uterine secretion of PGE(2) and the gene expression of IFNAR2 in cyclic ewes. There was no effect of undernutrition on pregnancy rates or the number of conceptuses recovered. Consistent with this, undernutrition of pregnant ewes did not have any effect on uterine gene expression. Moreover, in cases where changes were observed in cyclic ewes, these changes were negated when a conceptus was present.
Subject(s)
Endometrium/metabolism , Malnutrition/genetics , Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/genetics , Adaptation, Physiological/genetics , Animals , Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Dinoprost/metabolism , Dinoprostone/metabolism , Endometrium/physiopathology , Estrous Cycle/genetics , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Gestational Age , Immunohistochemistry , Malnutrition/metabolism , Malnutrition/physiopathology , Ovulation , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Pregnancy Rate , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/genetics , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/metabolism , Receptors, Somatomedin/genetics , Receptors, Somatomedin/metabolism , Receptors, Steroid/genetics , Receptors, Steroid/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sheep , Somatomedins/genetics , Somatomedins/metabolismABSTRACT
This paper attempts to clarify Minuchin's concept of family boundaries and to modify the original definition to one based on social systems concepts that are neutral with respect to pathology. The authors distinguish between logical and physical conceptualizations of "boundary" and differentiate the broad metaphor of family boundaries into proximity (i.e., interpersonal boundaries) and hierarchy (i.e., generational boundaries). Assuming that the nature of a relationship is reflected by the extent of overlap or sharing of interpersonal territories, Wood (14) adapted Goffman's (2) concept of territorial preserve to encompass six types of territories family members may share to a greater or lesser extent, reflecting the family's pattern of proximity. The family's hierarchy is reflected by who is "in charge," parents or children. We explore the process of boundary reorganization in families in transition, offering a nonstatic and health-oriented view of boundary permeability. Using the anthropological concept of "rite of passage," we suggest an alternative view of stressful transitional events such as marriage and divorce. We illustrate with examples the reorganization of proximity and hierarchy that occurs during periods of transition.