The Expression of p57(kip2) in Mouse Endometrium During Estrus Cycle and Pre- and Peri-implantation Periods

Kim, Sung Tae; Lee, Sung Ki; Gye, Myung Chan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was to investigate the localization of CDK inhibitor, p57(kip2) in mouse endometrium during the estrus cycle and pre- and peri-implantation periods.
METHODS
The p57(kip2) protein was immunostained from endometrium of mouse sacrificed at diestrus, proestrus, estrus, and metestrus cycle, and at day 1-6 post-coitum (p.c.).
RESULTS
The staining in the luminal epithelium was very weak in comparison with glandular and stromal cells. In diestrus stage, immunoreactivity of p57(kip2) was heterogeneously strong in parts of decidualized or degenerated stromal cells. In proestrus stage, strong immunoreactivity p57(kip2) was largely found in stromal cells. But, p57(kip2) was showed low immunoreactivity in estrus stage. In metestrus stage, immunoreactivity of p57(kip2) was heterogeneously strong in decidualized stromal cells. In day 1-2 p.c., immunoreactivity of p57(kip2) was low in some endometrial stromal cells. In day 3-4 p.c., immunoreactivity of p57(kip2) was strong in some endometrial stromal cells. In day 5-6 p.c., immunoreactivity of p57(kip2) was strong in decidual cells.
CONCLUSION
These suggest that p57(kip2) may play an essential role in endometrial differentiation for maintenance of implantation, especially decidualization of endometrial stromal cells.