THE DISTRIBUTION AND EXPRESSION OF IL-18 IN RAT UTERUS DURING PERI-IMPLANTATION

Objective To study the distribution and expression of interleukin-18(IL-18) in rat uterus during peri-implantation and understand possible physiological regulatory roles of endogenous IL-18 in embryo implantation. Methods Immunohistochemical technique and image analysis were used. Results IL-18 protein could be detected in all the rat uteri.The positive cells were mainly distributed in the uterine endometrial or decidual luminal epithelium,the glandular epithelium,and the stroma or decidual cells;a weak expression was also found in the myometrium and some endothelial cells.Compared with the estrus group,the expression of IL-18 in pregnant rats distinctly increased(P0.05),and with the developing of pregnancy,the level of IL-18 in pregnant rats was gradually enhanced.Moreover,the expression of IL-18 during post-implantation period was markedly higher than that during pre-implantation period(P0.05).Conclusion IL-18 may play a role in pregnancy and regulate embryo implantation.It may be related with the establishment and maintanence of pregnancy.