A. Einspanier et al., Expression of the oxytocin receptor in relation to steroid receptors in the uterus of a primate model, the marmoset monkey, HUM REP UPD, 4(5), 1998, pp. 634-646
The dynamics of the receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and oxy
tocin (OTR) in the marmoset uterus have been analysed throughout the entire
cycle and early pregnancy, Uteri obtained during the early, mid/late and l
ate proliferative phase, and the early, mid and late secretory phase and ea
rly pregnancy were examined by immunohistochemistry (OTR, ER, PR) and autor
adiography (OTR), A massive upregulation of the ER in the cell nuclei of gl
andular epithelium and stromal cells during the mid proliferative phase was
succeeded by a declining staining intensity and positively stained cell nu
mber in the secretory phase. PR immunoreactivity increased in the late prol
iferative phase and early secretory phase, mainly within the cell nuclei, a
nd then declined in both intensity and cell number towards the mid to late
secretory phase. Myometrium showed a similar staining pattern for the stero
id receptors, OTR were expressed weakly in stroma throughout the entire cyc
le, increasing slightly in the secretory phase. Glandular epithelium showed
positive staining only during the periovulatory period. Myometrial OTR exp
ression was weak during the proliferative phase, increased towards the secr
etory phase, and was maximal in the late secretory phase, Myometrial tissue
adjacent to endometrium was most strongly stained, A cyclic shift evidentl
y occurred in the pattern of steroid receptors, perhaps reflecting the ster
oid environment or the luteinizing hormone increase associated with ovulati
on.