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Fetal Development of the Bovine Uterus: A Light Microscopy and Immunohistochemical Study
Rebecca A-M Kenngott1, Fred Sinowatz
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, Institute for Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
Important steps during the prenatal development of the bovine uterus are described using conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining of fetuses from different developmental stages [crown-rump length (CRL) 9.2-94.0 cm]. Additionally, a number of intermediate filaments (keratin 7, 8, 14, 18, 19; and vimentin), the basement membrane protein laminin, smooth-muscle marker (SMA), and S100 were studied to further characterize certain differentiation processes. During early development, the uterine epithelium is simple or (pseudo)stratified with bud-like protrusions. Developing caruncles can be observed in the corpus uteri at a CRL of 15.8 cm onwards, showing a simple, keratin-positive epithelium. In contrast, the intercaruncular areas are characterized by a (pseudo)stratified epithelium, which also shows positive staining in a different manner for the investigated keratins. A differentiation of smooth muscle cell layers can be observed from a CRL of 24.4 cm onwards. Intense SMA-positive cells/fibers, arranged perpendicularly to the developing circular SMA-positive muscle cell layer, can be found preferentially located in the developing caruncles. Lymphocytes occur in the uterine epithelium and stroma in the corpora and cornua of fetuses with a CLR of 15.8 cm and higher.
Important steps during the prenatal development of the bovine uterus are described using conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining of fetuses from different developmental stages [crown-rump length (CRL) 9.2-94.0 cm]. Additionally, a number of intermediate filaments (keratin 7, 8, 14, 18, 19; and vimentin), the basement membrane protein laminin, smooth-muscle marker (SMA), and S100 were studied to further characterize certain differentiation processes. During early development, the uterine epithelium is simple or (pseudo)stratified with bud-like protrusions. Developing caruncles can be observed in the corpus uteri at a CRL of 15.8 cm onwards, showing a simple, keratin-positive epithelium. In contrast, the intercaruncular areas are characterized by a (pseudo)stratified epithelium, which also shows positive staining in a different manner for the investigated keratins. A differentiation of smooth muscle cell layers can be observed from a CRL of 24.4 cm onwards. Intense SMA-positive cells/fibers, arranged perpendicularly to the developing circular SMA-positive muscle cell layer, can be found preferentially located in the developing caruncles. Lymphocytes occur in the uterine epithelium and stroma in the corpora and cornua of fetuses with a CLR of 15.8 cm and higher.
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