Immunohistochemical Assessment of Collagen Types I, III, IV and VI in Biopsy Samples of the Bovine Uterine Wall Collected during the Oestrous Cycle

Abstract

Uterine biopsies were collected at cycle days 1 (oestrous), 8, 15 and 19 in six cows. Unfixed cryostat sections were used to immunolocalise collagen types I, III, IV and VI by an indirect FITC method. Collagen I was sparsely found in the endometrium where it formed a fine meshwork of thin fibres directly below the surface epithelium, clearly visible only at cycle days 8 and 15. Collagen III formed the bulk of connective tissue fibres and was arranged in fine aggregates within the superficial endometrial stroma, while in the deeper areas it consisted of many thick fibre bundles. Collagen IV was found in basement membranes underlying all endometrial epithelia. Furthermore, it surrounded smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. A few single fibrils also stained positively within the endometrial stroma, more numerous at cycle days 1 and 19 as compared to days 8 and 15. Collagen VI formed a mesh of fine and pericellularly situated fibrils within the endometrial stroma. The contribution of the collagen types studied to the connective tissue of caruncles, blood vessels, lymph follicles, and myometrium is also reported. The results of the present study indicate that the connective tissue of the bovine uterine wall is composed of different collagen types, which exhibit a characteristic distribution pattern each. The day of cycle may influence amounts and organisation of collagen types I and IV as demonstrated here at the light-microscopical level.

The Dynamic Expression of Extracellular Matrix in the Bovine Endometrium at Implantation.

“…In the present study, the expression of type IV collagen and laminin decreased during the implantation period, and they were reconstructed in the maternal crypts soon after this period. This result agrees with that of Boss [2]. These dramatic events commonly occur in ruminants [9].…”

“…In this study, type I collagen was found sparsely in all areas of the endometrium, and its expression was rather intensive below the epithelium on day 14 of the estrous cycle. The expression pattern of type I collagen was confirmed as identical to that of previous reports [2]. Fibronectin binds to a number of biological macromolecules including heparin, types I, II, II and V collagens, the fibrin and integrin family, and regulates many functions of the cell such as growth, differentiation, shape, migration, etc.…”

Analysis of Uteroplacental-specific Molecules and Their Functions During Implantation and Placentation in the Bovine

“…At the same time, BNCs expressed PRP-1 and heparanase in limited areas [33,37]. Although BNCs are also a Endometrial remodeling is another crucial factor for the success of implantation and placentation [38]. The importance of the role of MMPs, particularly gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), in ECM degradation and remodeling have been studied in various physiological and pathological states, such as implantation, wound healing and cancer development [39].…”

Quantification of collagen fibers in canine uteri treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate

“…It is known that interstitial collagen is not homogenous, but it is composed mainly of collagen types I and III. Studies that analyze and quantify the possible functional significance of the degree of heterogeneity of both collagen types in normal or pathological tissue have shown that tissue structure and function are associated with the relative amounts and proportions of ECM proteins, mainly of the collagen, and corroborate the physiological importance of the endometrial stroma and its proteins (Hance & Crystal 1977, Boos 2000. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of the MPA administration on deposit of uterine collagen in the ECM and demonstrated the coexistence of collagen type I and type III in canine uterus.…”