Immunolocalization of the vasoconstrictor endothelin in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in umbilical cord at birth

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to determine the localization of immunoreactive endothelin in human cyclic endometrium and in umbilical cord during normal delivery and after cesarean section. Study Design: Fixed dated endometrial tissue (n = 41) and umbilical cord (n = 6) were subjected to immunohistochemistry with an antiserum cross reacting with endothelin-1, −2 and −3. Results: Low levels of stromal endometrial staining were seen throughout the cycle. The strongest staining was in luminal epithelium throughout the secretory phase and in glandular epithelium in the late-secretory phase. In umbilical cord the most intense immunoreactivity was present on the amnion cells on the outer cord, with..