Intermediate filament protein expression and sugar moieties in normal canine placenta

In the female dog, the placenta is considered zonal, endotheliochorial and labyrinthic. The distribution of the intermediate filaments as well as the surface glycoproteins in the canine placenta are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to provide this information for further understanding of pathological conditions in the bitch. Samples were obtained from normal uterine horns at the end of gestation. Tissues were routinely fixed and st ained. Monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins, vimentin and desmin were used for immunohistochemical staining. UEA-I, PNA, RCA-I, SEA, DBA, WGA an d ConA were used for the lectin histochemical staining. A computer morphome trical analysis was made. Statistical analysis was then accomplished. The r esults showed the maximun immunohistochemical percentage for vimentin in th e supraglandular connective tissue, for pancytokeratin in the spongy zone a nd for desmin in miometrium. SEA showed the highest staining percentage in the gland cells of the spongy zone, while ConA was the highest in the syncy tiotrophoblastic cells and gland cells of the deep glandular zone. The resu lts obtained indicate that the lectin binding pattern is partially differen t from other animal species. On the contrary, the intermediate filament dat a coincide with similar observations from other mammals.