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 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 Guillomot, M. Articles by Goff, A. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Guillomot, M. Articles by Goff, A. K.

Endocytotic activity in the endometrium during conceptus attachment in the cow

Summary. The uptake of horseradish peroxidase tracer injected into the uterine lumen of the cow was studied during the period of conceptus attachment (Days 18–21; Day 0 = oestrus) and also in cyclic animals. Endocytosis occurred in pregnant and non-pregnant cows but was especially marked when circulating progesterone concentrations were high. By 20 min after injection, the tracer was located in apical endocytotic vesicles and in organelles of the lysosomal system. In addition, some of the horseradish peroxidase-containing vesicles were associated with the lateral membranes of the cells and the tracer was also present in the intercellular spaces and beneath the basal membrane, especially in pregnant animals by the time of conceptus attachment. There was no evidence that pinopod-like functions could be attributed to large cytoplasmic protrusions from endometrial cells. Rather, the protrusions seemed to be involved in secretory processes. The presence of clear vesicles among the endocytotic vesicles suggested a coupled secretory–endocytotic activity of the cells, the significance of which remains to be determined.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C.E. Quinn and R.F. Casper Pinopodes: a questionable role in endometrial receptivity Hum. Reprod. Update, November 8, 2008; (2008) dmn052v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Satterfield, K. A. Dunlap, K. Hayashi, R. C. Burghardt, T. E. Spencer, and F. W. Bazer Tight and Adherens Junctions in the Ovine Uterus: Differential Regulation by Pregnancy and Progesterone Endocrinology, August 1, 2007; 148(8): 3922 - 3931. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. S. Daftary and H. S. Taylor Endocrine Regulation of HOX Genes Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2006; 27(4): 331 - 355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Kabir-Salmani, H. Nikzad, S. Shiokawa, Y. Akimoto, and M. Iwashita Secretory role for human uterodomes (pinopods): secretion of LIF Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 11(8): 553 - 559. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Spencer, G. A. Johnson, R. C. Burghardt, and F. W. Bazer Progesterone and Placental Hormone Actions on the Uterus: Insights from Domestic Animals Biol Reprod, July 1, 2004; 71(1): 2 - 10. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kim, Y. Choi, F. W. Bazer, and T. E. Spencer Identification of Genes in the Ovine Endometrium Regulated by Interferon {tau} Independent of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 Endocrinology, December 1, 2003; 144(12): 5203 - 5214. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.M. Adams, N. Gayer, M.J. Hosie, and C.R. Murphy Human uterodomes (pinopods) do not display pinocytotic function Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2002; 17(8): 1980 - 1986. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Johnson, M. D. Stewart, C. Allison Gray, Y. Choi, R. C. Burghardt, L.-Y. Yu-Lee, F. W. Bazer, and T. E. Spencer Effects of the Estrous Cycle, Pregnancy, and Interferon Tau on 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase Expression in the Ovine Uterus Biol Reprod, May 1, 2001; 64(5): 1392 - 1399. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				C. R. Murphy Understanding the apical surface markers of uterine receptivity: Pinopods--or uterodomes? Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2000; 15(12): 2451 - 2454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]