UTERINE ARTERY ESTROGEN-RECEPTORS IN THE NONPREGNANT AND PREGNANT GUINEA-PIG

Uterine artery, heart, and aorta or carotid specimens of nonpregnant, midpregnant, and term pregnant guinea pigs were examined for estrogen receptors by immnocytochemical methods. Estrogen receptors were found in the nuclei of cells in the endothelial, muscle, and adventitia layers of the uterine artery wall. The concentration of estrogen receptors was slightly higher in nonpregnant and term pregnant animals than in midpregnancy. No estrogen receptors were found in the heart, aorta, or carotid specimens of all animals. These results confirm the uterine artery as a target organ of estrogen action that would eventually lead to arterial functional adaptation in different biologic periods. © 1990.