the changes of αv, β3, α4, β1 integrins expression and osteopontin their ligands in murine estrous cycle

objective: considering the importance of integrin molecules in the implantation and lack of sufficient information in the expression pattern of these molecules in various phases of estrous cycle. it seemed to be necessary to investigate these molecules in mouse endometrial during the various phases of oestrous cycle. materials and methods: female nmri mice (n=15) aged 6-8 weeks were studied. various phases of estrous cycle including: proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus were determined by vaginal smear. the mice were sacrificed (at least 3 per each phase) by cervical dislocation and the tissues were obtained from the middle 1/3 part of their uterine horns at each phase then the cryosections at thicknesses between 8-10 μ were obtained. then the immunohistochemistry were done for integrins of 4, 1, v, 3 and their ligand osteopontine. results: the integrins were expressed only in the metestrous phase of oestrous cycle in the different locations of mouse endometrium. the positive reactions were observed for αv, α4 and β3 in the apical and basal membrane of glandular epithelium. also the positive reaction for β1 was found in surface and glandular epithelium as well as stroma. the osteopontin expression was seen in the apical membranes of surface and glandular epithelium and was not seen in other locations. conclousion: it seems that expression of integrins in endometrium is based on their role in the implantation, therefore the molecules α4, β1 and opn that are expressed on the surface epithelial may be involve in the adhesion of cell to cell and integrins of αv, β3 that are expressed in the glandular