Sd. Kholkute et al., Leukaemia inhibitory factor in the endometrium of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus: localization, expression and hormonal regulation, MOL HUM REP, 6(4), 2000, pp. 337-343
In the present study, changes in the immunohistochemical localization of le
ukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the endometrium during various phases of
ovarian cyclicity of the common marmoset have been reported. LIF was absen
t during the early and late follicular phases. LIF was observed mainly in t
he cytoplasm of the endometrial glands during the early luteal phase, reach
ed maximum intensity during the mid-luteal phase and declined again during
late luteal phase. In-situ hybridization also showed a similar cyclic patte
rn in the expression of LIF. Stromal cells only showed signals for LIF duri
ng the mid-luteal phase. In ovariectomized marmosets, graded dosages of oes
tradiol alone failed to induce the appearance of LIF protein. Progesterone
treatment following oestradiol priming, however, induced distinct glandular
localization of LIF, indicating that LIF is a progesterone-dependent prote
in. Thus endometrial LIF is under maternal control and is secreted in respo
nse to the increased progesterone concentrations in circulation. it is poss
ible that high concentrations of LIF during mid-luteal phase may prepare th
e endometrium for blastocyst implantation in marmosets.