Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 7, No. 3, 293-300,
March 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Implantation and pregnancy |
Different regulation of oestrogen receptors 
and ß in the human cervix at term pregnancy
1 Division for Reproductive Endocrinology and 2 Division for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract
During pregnancy, a cervical connective tissue remodelling takes place, clinically recognized as softening, effacement and dilatation. The role of oestrogens and their receptors (ER) in this process is not clear. ER
is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in many physiological processes. The identification of a second oestrogen receptor, ERß, has led to a re-evaluation of oestrogen signalling and physiology. The aim of this study was to monitor the expression of the two ERs in the cervix from women at term pregnancy (TP) and after parturition (PP) compared with that of non-pregnant (NP). A solution hybridization assay showed that the level of ER mRNA was significantly decreased in the PP group, when compared with the NP and TP groups. In contrast the ERß mRNA level was increased in the TP group compared with the NP and PP groups. These results were supported by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Similar results were observed for the protein with immunohistochemistry. Intense ERß immunostaining was observed in neutrophils and the endothelial cells of blood vessels. In conclusion, this study supports a concept according to which oestrogen might be involved in the final remodelling of the cervix via the modulating effects of the two ERs. Furthermore, oestrogen may mediate some effects on cervical ripening via ERß present in the invading neutrophils. Further studies are needed to elucidate this finding.
cervix/oestrogen/oestrogen receptors/parturition/pregnancy
Notes
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Division for Reproductive Endocrinology, Karolinska Hospital, L5:01, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: Lena.Sahlin{at}kbh.ki.se
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. A. Tornblom, F. A. Patel, B. Bystrom, D. Giannoulias, A. Malmstrom, M. Sennstrom, S. J. Lye, J. R. G. Challis, and G. Ekman 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase and Cyclooxygenase 2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression and Immunohistochemical Localization in Human Cervical Tissue during Term and Preterm Labor J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2004; 89(6): 2909 - 2915. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H.A. Rodriguez, L. Kass, J. Varayoud, J.G. Ramos, H.H. Ortega, M. Durando, M. Munoz-de-Toro, and E.H. Luque Collagen remodelling in the guinea-pig uterine cervix at term is associated with a decrease in progesterone receptor expression Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2003; 9(12): 807 - 813. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. G. Ramos, J. Varayoud, V. L. Bosquiazzo, E. H. Luque, and M. Munoz-de-Toro Cellular Turnover in the Rat Uterine Cervix and Its Relationship to Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Dynamics Biol Reprod, September 1, 2002; 67(3): 735 - 742. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Stygar, H. Wang, Y. S. Vladic, G. Ekman, H. Eriksson, and L. Sahlin Increased Level of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the Ripening Process of the Human Cervix Biol Reprod, September 1, 2002; 67(3): 889 - 894. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. E. Gargett, K. Bucak, M. Zaitseva, S. Chu, N. Taylor, P. J. Fuller, and P. A.W. Rogers Estrogen receptor-{alpha} and -{beta} expression in microvascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of myometrium and leiomyoma Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2002; 8(8): 770 - 775. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Stygar, H. Wang, Y. S. Vladic, G. Ekman, H. Eriksson, and L. Sahlin Co-localization of oestrogen receptor {beta} and leukocyte markers in the human cervix Mol. Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2001; 7(9): 881 - 886. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|