AIM:To study the expressions of galectin-3 and the possible anti-infectious function in genital tract of female mouse. METHODS:The expressions of galectin-3 mRNA in different reproductive tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR. The mouse model of genital tract infection was constructed by injection of LPS and Freunds adjuvant incomplete into the vaginal mucous. The expression pattern of galectin-3 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:The expression of galectin-3 mRNA was detected in the uterus,vagina,oviduct and ovary of normal adult mouse. The galectin-3 protein was expressed in the genital tract mucous of epithelial cell surface and uterine gland. After stimulation with LPS,the expression of galectin-3 protein was significantly up-regulated compared to normal control and adjuvant control (P

The gene encoding selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathioneperoxidase (PHGPx) is located in chromosome 19 in human. PHGPx is the secondidentified as Se-dependent intracellular glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) which is a19000(Mr), monomeric enzyme. PHGPx originally presumed to be a universal antioxidantenzyme protecting membrane lipids, appears to have adopted a variety of specificroles like silencing lipoxygenases and becoming an enzymatically inactive structuralcomponent of the mitochondrial capsule during sperm maturation. In other words,PHGPx exists as a soluble peroxidase in spermatids but persists in maturespermatozoa as an enzymatically inactive, oxidatively cross-linked, insolubleprotein. Natl J Androl,2001,7(2):109～112