IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF HOXA11 AND HLX PROTEINS IN COW PLACENTA DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

In addition to its many functions, the placenta is characterized by the intensity and characteristics of its hormonal functions. It has been reported that the development and vascularization of the placenta with normal fetal growth is regulated by many factors such as growth factors, transcriptional factors, and homeobox proteins. This study was conducted to determine the distribution and possible physiological roles of HOXA11 and HLX in the uterus and placenta of pregnant cows. In this study, 27 pregnant Holstein breed cow uteri and placentas obtained from private slaughterhouses were used as tissue samples. In order to determine the pregnancy period of the obtained uterus, the ages of the fetuses were calculated according to the age calculation formula. The uteri were classified under three different groups as the first (69-89 days), second (99-178 days), and third (190-269 days) periods of pregnancy so that there are 9 animals in each group. Tissue samples were then subjected to immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the presence of HOXA11 and HLX proteins. It was observed that HOXA11 and HLX immunoreactions occurred prominently in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the uterus during pregnancy, and the maternal epithelial cells of the placenta and UTC and TGC/BNCs. In addition, it was determined that HOXA11 immunoreaction also formed in some vascular endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical findings in this study suggested that Hoxa11 and HLX may affect the proliferation and differentiation of cells in the uterus and placenta during pregnancy in cows, and that these proteins may contribute to normal uterine physiology, placentation formation, and continuity of pregnancy in cows.