This Article Full Text 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 Rowe, A. J Articles by Fraser, H. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rowe, A. J Articles by Fraser, H. M

Angiogenesis and microvascular development in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) endometrium during early pregnancy

Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK and ¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ulm, Prittwitzstraße 43, 89075 Ulm, Germany

Correspondence should be addressed to H M Fraser; Email: h.fraser{at}hrsu.mrc.ac.uk

The aim of the study was to describe and quantify the changes in the maternal vasculature and angiogenesis during early pregnancy in the marmoset endometrium using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to identify proliferating cells, CD31 to label endothelial cells and dual staining to identify proliferating endothelial cells. Non-pregnant animals from mid- and late secretory stages were studied and compared with pregnant animals at weeks 2, 3 and 4 of pregnancy. Qualitative and morphometric analyses of angiogenesis and vascular area were performed. The results show that pregnancy is associated with increasing angiogenesis in the upper zone of the endometrium, becoming significantly increased at 3 weeks. This is associated with an increase in the vessel area and diameter in this zone. These results provide the platform from which to design studies in which specific angiogenic factors can be targeted in vivo during early pregnancy in order to determine their role in regulating these vascular changes.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. M. Fraser, H. Wilson, A. Silvestri, K. D. Morris, and S. J. Wiegand The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Estradiol in the Regulation of Endometrial Angiogenesis and Cell Proliferation in the Marmoset Endocrinology, September 1, 2008; 149(9): 4413 - 4420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Silvestri and H. M Fraser Oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the marmoset endometrium: changes during the ovulatory cycle, early pregnancy and after inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor, GnRH or ovariectomy Reproduction, August 1, 2007; 134(2): 341 - 353. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]