J Vet Sci.  2005 Sep;6(3):179-183.

Expression of placenta growth factor mRNA in the rat placenta during mid-late pregnancy

• Choi WS
• Cho GJ
• Won CK
• Koh PO

Abstract

The placenta is an essential organ that synthesizes several growth and angiogenic factors for its own growth as well as fetal development. It is known that the placenta growth factor (PlGF)is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor family and is critical for placental growth and fetal development. However, there is little information regarding the expression pattern and cellular localization of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to define the distribution of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta at various gestations. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of PlGF mRNA increased as gestation advanced. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, positive cells of PlGF mRNA were detected in chorionic villi. PlGF mRNA was expressed in the trophoblast cells and stroma cells surrounding the blood vessels within chorionic villi on day 13 and 15. Also, positive signals of PlGF mRNA were strongly detected in stroma cells of chorionic villi on day 17, 19, and 21. In particular, the density and number of positive signals of PlGF mRNA was significantly increased as gestation advanced. The expression pattern of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta during pregnancy demonstrates that PlGF plays a functional role for placental growth and fetal development during mid-late pregnancy.

Keyword

placenta; placenta growth factor; rat

MeSH Terms

Animals
Female
Gene Expression Regulation/physiology
Placenta/*metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Proteins/*metabolism
RNA, Messenger/*metabolism
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Tissue Distribution/physiology