Histomorphometric analysis of goat uterine tissue on in vitro exposure with ovarian hormones and mifepristone

Abstract

Uterus, the largest reproductive tract organ in female mammals, is the site of implantation of fertilised egg and foetus development. Uterus is a dynamic reproductive organ; its morphology alters with re-productive phase and steroidal cues. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of proges-terone (P4), estrogen (E2) and antiprogestogen i.e., mifepristone on goat’s uterine histoarchitecture in in vitro short term culture. Uterine tissue slices were cultured in the presence of E2, P4 and mifepris-tone at the dose of 10–9 M, 10–7 M and 10–6 M respectively for 24 hours. Uterine morphology of E2- and P4-treated groups did not reveal marked changes from that of control group. Mifepristone treat-ment caused conspicuous changes in uterine histoarchitecture, led to congested endometrium, regressed uterine glands and constricted blood vessels. The changes observed in morphometry after E2 and P4 exposure included increased uterine gland diameter (47.00 and 45.95 µm respectively) and glandular epithelial cell height (18.37 and 17.43 µm respectively) while the mifepristone treatment resulted in significant reduction of gland diameter (34.95 µm) as well as epithelium height (14.25 µm) as compared to those in control group (39.9 and 15.56 µm respectively). These morphometrical changes revealed prominent regressive changes in anti-progestin treated group while E2 and P4 showed prolific effects in in vitro culture. Thus it is envisaged that E2 and P4 induced characteristic progressive changes in the histologic structure especially in endometrial glands of the goat uterus while anti-steroidogenic formulation i.e. mifepristone severely reduced the normal histoarchitecture of the uterus which is a prerequisite for implantation.

Keywords

• endometrium
• estrogen (e2)
• mifepristone
• morphometry
• progesterone (p4)