Metabolic properties of mouse uterine endometrial cells after isolated with collagenase

Uterine horns from unmated, pseudopregnant (days 1-5) and pregnant (days 4 and 5) mice were dissected and treated with collagenase (5 mg/ml) in a Ringer solution to isolate viable endometrial cells with maximal recovery of the luminal epithelium. The oxidative metabolism of the cells incubated with radioactive glucose significantly increased on day 4 of pregnancy, was stimulated during pseudopregnancy by the addition of either concanavalin A (Con A, 100 micrograms) or insulin (0.1 i.u.), and responded to a variety of traditionally used metabolic inhibitors in a manner consistent with that of cells possessing normal transport and oxidative functions. The metabolism of endogenous materials was an important feature of the cells and no evidence of a Crabtree effect was detected in the presence of various exogenous substrates. The cells also failed to alter their capacity to oxidize radioactive glucose after a 3-h pre-incubation period in vitro. Although the cells agglutinated in the presence of Con A at all reproductive stages studied, the agglutination indices significantly increased both on day 1 and on days 4 and 5 post coitum. The results indicated that metabolic changes and membrane modifications occurring in the cells at the time of implantation may have important roles in facilitating the induction of the decidual cell reaction. It was concluded that, if further technological improvements of the collagenase procedure succeed in producing pure epithelial cell preparations, the cells should be suitable for use in studies designed to elucidate these roles.