AIMS Cellular retinol-binding protein-1 (CRBP-1) contributes to the maintenance of the differentiated state of the endometrium through retinol bioavailability regulation. The aim was to analyse CRBP-1 expression in endometrial stromal cells at eutopic and ectopic sites in different physiopathological conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS Antibodies to CRBP-1, CD10 and alpha-smooth muscle actin were...

BACKGROUND Fetal growth restriction is related to a high rate of prematurity and mortality. In cases of unknown origin utero-placental circulation changes are the main factor which is due to the changes in blood vessels. The understanding of the mechanism may help in further prevention of FGR. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of bcl-2 and bax in normal pregnancies and complicated by FGR we...

A number of pluripotential embryo-derived EK cells were introduced into the blastocoele of haploid and diploid parthenogenetic embryos which were subsequently transferred to suitable recipients. At autopsy on day 10 or 11 of pseudopregnancy 22% of decidua in the diploid series contained somite-stage embryos while an additional 12% contained abnormal egg cylinder-like sacs. In the haploid series...

Plasma prorenin levels are elevated in normal pregnant women. Current evidence suggests renin production by tissues of the uteroplacental unit contribute to this elevation. The purpose of this investigation was to define the source of renin biosynthesis within the human uteroplacental unit and to characterize the renin produced. RNA extraction and Northern blot analysis consistently demonstrate...

Cytokines such as monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), RANTES (Regulated on Activation and Normally T-cells Expressed and presumably Secreted) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are thought to play pivotal roles in immune recognition, acceptance of the fetal allograft, maintenance of pregnancy and parturition. Their secretion and regulation within the third trimester uterus is,...

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important growth regulator of the embryonic day (E)9-E11 mouse. In comparably aged rat embryos, VIP messenger RNA (mRNA) is not detectable; however, peak concentrations of VIP in maternal rat serum indicate a nonembryonic source. In the current study, mouse maternal and embryonic tissues were examined from E6-E12. Although RT-PCR revealed VIP mRNA in E6...

B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a critical cytokine for maturation of immature B cells. In murine lymph nodes, BAFF is mainly produced by podoplanin-expressing stromal cells. We have previously shown that circulating BAFF levels are maximal at birth, and that farmers' children exhibit higher BAFF levels in cord blood than non-farmers' children. Here, we sought to investigate whether maternal...

AIM To quantify and compare decidual leucocyte subpopulations in complete and partial hydatidiform molar pregnancy with those in normal early pregnancy. METHODS Decidual leucocytes were characterised using an avidin-biotin technique and a panel of monoclonal antibodies in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded decidual tissues from 10 normal first trimester pregnancy terminations and from 13 parti...

An inflammatory-like process and vascular remodeling represent the main changes that occur in decidua in the early phase of pregnancy. These changes are partly induced by trophoblast cells that colonize the decidua and are also contributed by the complement system, which can easily be activated as a result of tissue remodeling. Local control by several complement regulators including surface-bo...

Leucocyte infiltration in the decidua (maternal-foetal interface) before, during and after term (TL) and preterm labour (PTL) was studied in mouse. We also investigated the mechanism of peripheral leucocyte recruitment into decidua by analysing the tissue cytokine profiles. Decidual tissues were collected during late gestation, TL and post-partum (PP). PTL was initiated on gestational day 15 by...