This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vogiagis, D. Articles by Salamonsen, L. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Vogiagis, D. Articles by Salamonsen, L. A.

Leukaemia inhibitory factor in endometrium during the oestrous cycle, early pregnancy and in ovariectomized steroid-treated ewes

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, is essential for blastocyst implantation in mice and maintains the development of ovine embryos in culture. The expression of LIF was examined by northern blot analysis in endometrial tissue from cyclic (days 4–16) and pregnant (days 4–20) ewes, and the corresponding protein was immunolocalized. Expression of mRNA encoding LIF remained relatively constant throughout the oestrous cycle and was present during early pregnancy. A decrease in mRNA encoding LIF was observed during early pregnancy (on days 12–14) and expression was highest on days 16–20. Immunoreactive LIF was present in the cellular compartments of the endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy, with maximal immunostaining in the caruncular and intercaruncular luminal epithelium, and moderate staining in the glandular epithelium and intercaruncular stroma. Immunoreactive LIF was also detected in the trophoblast cells of day 17 blastocysts. Separately cultured endometrial epithelial and stromal cells from pregnant animals both expressed mRNA encoding LIF. Ovariectomized steroid-treated ewes were studied to establish whether steroid hormones had a role in regulating endometrial LIF. Ewes treated with oestradiol alone showed lower concentrations of immunoreactive LIF in the endometrium in comparison to ovariectomized, control animals, while treatment of ovariectomized animals with both oestradiol and progesterone had a greater inhibitory effect on LIF immunolocalization. These studies demonstrate the presence of mRNA encoding LIF and protein throughout the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy and suggest that steroid hormones may be involved in their regulation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. J Kimber Leukaemia inhibitory factor in implantation and uterine biology Reproduction, August 1, 2005; 130(2): 131 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Y Lee and F. J DeMayo Animal models of implantation Reproduction, December 1, 2004; 128(6): 679 - 695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Auernhammer and S. Melmed Leukemia-Inhibitory Factor--Neuroimmune Modulator of Endocrine Function Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2000; 21(3): 313 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S.D. Kholkute, R.R. Katkam, T.D. Nandedkar, and C.P. Puri Leukaemia inhibitory factor in the endometrium of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus: localization, expression and hormonal regulation Mol. Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2000; 6(4): 337 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Hirzel, J. Wang, S.K. Das, S.K. Dey, and R.A. Mead Changes in Uterine Expression of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor during Pregnancy in the Western Spotted Skunk Biol Reprod, February 1, 1999; 60(2): 484 - 492. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-G. Cheng, J. R. Chen, L. Hernandez, W. G. Alvord, and C. L. Stewart Dual control of LIF expression and LIF receptor function regulate Stat3 activation at the onset of uterine receptivity and embryo implantation PNAS, July 17, 2001; 98(15): 8680 - 8685. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]