Expression of mRNA encoding insulin-like growth factors I and II by uterine tissues and placenta during pregnancy in the rat

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1999

Authors

Correia da Silva, G (Author) FFUP; Bell, SC (Author) Other; Pringle, JH (Author) Other; Teixeira, N (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Molecular Reproduction and Development

Vol. 53

Pages: 294-305

ISSN: 1040-452X

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 30 Citations

Scopus - 34 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-3ZZ

DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199907)53:3<294::aid-mrd5>3.0.co;2-0

Abstract (EN): The uterus and the placenta synthesize insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like binding proteins (IGFBPs). These growth factors are implicated in processes of proliferation and differentiation that occur in the uterus. To determine the patterns of expression of IGFs during rat pregnancy we used in situ hybridization with digoxigenin labeled probes on uterus from day 7 to day 16 of pregnancy. In early gestation days (7-8) both IGF mRNAs showed similar tissue distribution with relative abundance in the stroma and circular muscle layer. On days 11 and 12 expression for IGF-I mRNA was found in the mesometrial decidua and metrial gland and in the ectoplacental cone while clear expression of IGF-II mRNA could only be found in the latter. On days 13 and 14, expression for IGF-I mRNA could be detected in the mesometrial decidua and metrial gland but no expression was observed for IGF-II mRNA. A gradient of IGF-I mRNA expression could be observed in the placenta on day 16, with the trophoblastic cells of the basal zone expressing the signal with stronger intensity than in the labyrinthine zone. For IGF-II mRNA the highest expression was associated with the labyrinthine zone. Endovascular trophoblast was positive for both mRNAs. The spatial and temporal patterns of expression suggests a role for IGFs in the process of decidualization as well as in the establishment, growth and differentiation of the various trophoblast cells of the placenta. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 53:294-305, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12