Fibroblastic growth factor receptor (FGF-R) expression during uterine involution in goat

To investigate the possible participation of fibroblastic growth factors (FGFs) in endometrial involution, 20 multiparous goats, slaughtered on days 0, 1, 4, 10, 16 and 22 postpartum (pp), were used. Samples of different parts of the previous pregnant horns were taken and processed using streptoavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method to analyse FGF receptor (FGF-R) expression. The percentage of positive cells in luminal epithelium, superficial and deep glands and stroma was evaluated. Epithelial, glandular and stromal cells exhibited FGF-R immunoreactivity. No differences between caruncular and inter-caruncular epithelium were observed and staining was most evident in the superficial glands. The greatest degree of FGF-R expression was seen on days 10 and 16 pp, coinciding with epithelial and stromal cellular regeneration. These results suggest that caprine uterine involution is associated with variations in the expression of FGF-R.