An Immunohistochemical Study on the Macrophages in the Developing Corpora Lutea of the Rat.
- Author:
Won Sik KIM
1
;
Soo Il KIM
;
Sung Kyong SON
;
Yun Seok YANG
;
Geun Ja CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea. wonsikk@cnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Corpus luteum;
Macrophage;
TNF-alpha;
TUNEL;
Immunohistochemistry
- MeSH:
Animals;
Corpus Luteum*;
Female;
Immunohistochemistry;
In Situ Nick-End Labeling;
Luteal Cells;
Macrophages*;
Rats*;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Korean Journal of Anatomy
2007;40(3):171-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Within the corpus luteum, macrophages exert luteotropic and luteolytic actions through secretion of TNF-alpha. However, the mechanisms of luteotropic actions on the development and maintenance of pregnant and nonpregnant corpora lutea are thoroughly unknown.In this experiment, TUNEL, macrophage, and TNF-alpha immunohistochemistry on the corpora lutea of pregnant and nonpregnant rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) were carried out to reveal the role of macrophages in the developing corpora lutea. The results were as follows; 1) In the nonpregnant corpora lutea, the number of macrophages was increased significantly, and the degree of ED1-immunoreactivity of macrophages was increased moderately. But lutein cells showed low-degree TNF-alpha-immunoreactivity. 2) In the pregnant corpora lutea, the number of macrophages was decreased significantly, and the degree of ED1- immunoreactivity of macrophages was low. But lutein cells showed moderate-degree TNF-alpha-immunoreactivity. Based on the above results, it was considered that macrophages in the nonpregnant corpora lutea exert phagocytic action mainly, and the macrophages in the pregnant corpora lutea exert TNF-alpha-secreting action to maintain the structure and function of lutein cells.
