Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the goat uterus: immunohisto-chemical localization of EGF and EGF receptor and effect of EGF on uterine activity in vivo

摘要

This study examined the distribution of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGF-R) in the uterus and the effects of EGF on uterine activity in goats. Immunohistochemistry of EGF and EGF-R in the uteri showed distinct staining in the luminal and glandular epithelium and slight to moderate staining in the stromal and myometrial cells. To examine possible roles of the EGF system in the regulation of uterine activity, pressure changes in the intrauterine balloon were determined after intraluminal infusion of EGF into the uterine horn. Either at estrus or diestrus (9 to 14 days after the first day of estrus), treatment with 1 or 5 #mu#g of EGF gradually reduced uterine activity, whereas infusion of the vehicle alone had no effect. The maximum reduction in uterine activity was seen 4 h after the treatment with 1 #mu#g of EGF (40% to 45% reduction in the area surrounded by the contraction curve and its baseline), and the activity slowly returned thereafter. These results suggest that EGF in the uterus may play a role in regulating uterine activity in goats.