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Year 2016 - Volume 36, Number 3
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Apoptosis and maturation of the bovine placenta: an immunohistochemical and morphometric study, 36(3):237-246
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ABSTRACT.- Carvalho T.F., Pereira N.B., Rocha C.R.J., Figueiredo C.C., Rachid M.A. & Vasconcelos A.C. 2016. [Apoptosis and maturation of the bovine placenta: an immunohistochemical and morphometric study.] Apoptose e maturação placentária bovina: um estudo imuno-histoquímico e morfométrico. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 36(3):237-246. Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil. E-mail: carvalhotativet@hotmail.com
Placental release after birth involves loss of maternal-fetal adhesion and occurs only after complete maturation of the placentoma related to the decrease in cellularity of fetal and maternal tissues. Apoptosis is required for both the normal maturation and release of the placenta after birth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of apoptosis in samples of the placenta of cows in different stages of gestation. Samples of 15 healthy cow placentomas at 4 (n=5), 6 (n=5) and 9 (n=5) months of gestation were harvested and processed for routine histology, immunohistochemistry and histochemistry. The slides were stained with HE, PicroSirius Red and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of proteins Caspase 3, Caspase 8, Bax and Bid. Increase in number of vessels was not associated with increase in vascular area during progression of gestation. The results of histomorphometry revealed increased labeling for Bax and Caspases 3 and 8 in trophoblastic binucleated cells in late pregnancy, where the Bid remained without significant change. Histomorphometry analyzing the mononuclear trophoblast cells showed a high expression for Bax in early pregnancy, but decreased at 6 months of gestation. Immunolabeling revealed increased Caspases 3/8 and Bid with advancing of gestation. Further evaluation of type I and III collagen showed a decrease of both types of collagens at the end of gestation, what is very important for the reduction of maternal-fetal adhesion. These results confirm that Caspases 3 and 8 and Bax are involved in the mechanisms of activation of apoptosis through mitochondrial intrinsic and/or extrinsic pathway during pregnancy in trophoblastic binucleated cells. In mononuclear trophoblast cells Bax looses importance in the apoptosis process, awhile Bid and caspases 3 and 8 become the most significant. |
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