Figure 5

Higher magnification of uterine sections of Gp D and E. Luminal epithelium in Gp D (A) comprised tall, columnar cells with centrally placed nuclei. Note the presence of secretory activity in the lumen. Withdrawal of E + P (C-D) resulted in reduction in epithelial cell height with increased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio and the nuclei were apically placed. The nuclei appeared more apical and signs for remodeling and apoptotic bodies were evident in luminal and glandular epithelium and also in the stromal compartment. Scale bar represent 20 μm. Bottom panel shows the qRT-PCR results of specific transcripts reflecting proliferation (Pcna) and apoptosis (Bax and Bcl2). As evident Pcna was minimally expressed in Gp A and E whereas Bax and Bcl2 were unregulated in Gp E suggestive of increased apoptosis, in agreement with the histology data.