Figure 6

qRT-PCR results for pluripotent transcripts showing variable effects of hormone treatment. Oct-4A, Nanog, Sca-1 (pluripotent markers for VSELs) and Oct-4 (all Oct-4 transcripts including Oct-4B indicating presence of EnSCs) in various treatment groups. The pluripotent transcripts are observed in all the treated groups suggesting presence of stem cells in all the conditions, but are modulated by steroid treatment. They are up-regulated in GpA, compared to Gp B and C and are maximally expressed in Gp D and E. Oct-4 is more than 10 fold increased in GpD suggesting presence of EnSCs. Note the scale of Y-axis to appreciate differences between groups. Results suggest that stem cells are present in atrophic endometrium and stem cells activity is greatly increased in E + P group when maximum growth is observed and remain elevated in GpE associated with remodeling and repair. Ratio of Oct-4 to Oct-4A is almost 1 in GpA suggesting most of stem cells are the VSELs whereas in GpD the ratio is greatly increased suggesting presence of large number of progenitors. Results are compilation of more than three biological samples and error bars represent standard error.