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Characterization of Foamy Epithelial Surface Cells in the Canine Endometrium
Author(s) -
Bartel C.,
Tichy A.,
Walter I.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/ahe.12059
Subject(s) - endometrium , immunohistochemistry , leptin , hormone , biology , receptor , endocrinology , uterus , medicine , epithelium , estrous cycle , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , biochemistry , genetics , obesity
Summary In mature bitches, endometrial epithelial surface cells modify function and corresponding morphology during the oestrous cycle. During late metoestrous, endometrial epithelial surface cells frequently accumulate fat and thereby adopt a foamy morphology. This cyclic appearance of foamy endometrial epithelial cells (f EEC s) seems to be physiological in the dog, whereas in other species, it indicates pathological changes. Function of these f EEC s has not been identified until now. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterize the f EEC s by means of transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Different manifestations of f EEC s were observed and analysed with regard to proliferative activity and presence of different epithelial adhesion molecules including PLEKHA 7, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin. PLEKHA 7 was restricted to the apical regions of the f EEC s, whereas E‐cadherin and β‐catenin were demonstrated basolateral. The immunohistochemical detection of steroid hormone receptors demonstrated the responsiveness of the f EEC s to steroid hormones. Intense progesterone receptor expression was observed in the f EEC s indicating a high responsiveness to this hormone. Considering a potential function of the f EEC s, we hypothesized that leptin, a hormone produced by other lipid‐accumulating cells and described to be involved in reproduction, in particular during implantation, might also originate from the f EEC s which was confirmed by immunohistochemical methods. Moreover, leptin receptor was found in f EEC s indicating the f EEC s as both, source and target for leptin. Therefore, we conclude that f EEC s in the canine uterus have a potential role in early pregnancy events and that the different observed manifestations might simply reflect the variations of signs of pseudopregnancy among bitches.