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Endometrial function in vervet monkeys ( Cercopithecus aethiops ): morphology, β3 integrin and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 expression during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in the normal and disrupted endometrium
Author(s) -
Seier J. V.,
Chwalisz K.,
Louw J.,
Van Der Horst G.,
De Kock M.,
Du Toit D.,
Laubscher J. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0684.2002.01010.x
Subject(s) - menstrual cycle , endometrium , endocrinology , pregnancy , endometrial biopsy , biology , medicine , insulin like growth factor binding protein , insulin like growth factor , andrology , growth factor , receptor , hormone , genetics
The expression of endometrial β 3 integrin and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) was studied in cycling and pregnant vervet monkeys. There were clear changes of β 3 integrin expression during the menstrual cycle, with the strongest immunostaining observed on day 26. Moderate to strong expression was observed during pregnancy. The expression of IGFBP‐1 during the menstrual cycle was weak but upregulated during pregnancy with moderate to strong staining. The administration of a single dose of onapristone at 10 mg/kg on days 17, 21 and 22 of the menstrual cycle, followed by a biopsy on days 22, 22 and 26, respectively, and during pregnancy (34–44 days menstrual age) 24 h before the biopsy, disrupted and desynchronized the endometrium. However, no effect on β 3 integrin expression could be observed and staining reflected the untreated patterns. The same applied to IGFBP‐1 except that during pregnancy the expression of this protein was reduced or abolished. The results suggest that β 3 integrin is associated with endometrial receptivity in vervet monkeys and that IGFBP‐1 plays an important role during pregnancy in this species. The administration of onapristone appeared to only influence IGFBP‐1 expression. To our knowledge, this is the first time that these endometrial proteins have been investigated in vervet monkeys. This study should therefore contribute to improving our understanding of the reproductive function of this species.