Fig. 8

Effect of PGF on the expression of SMA and TGFβ1. The percentage of the SMA-positive area remains unchanged in the CL 2–24 h after the injection of a luteolytic dose of PGF (a). The mRNA expression of Acta2 does not change by the PGF injection (b). On the other hand, the mRNA expression of Tgfb1 ―a known regulator of myofibroblast transformation― is significantly increased in the CL 12 h after the PGF injection (c) as well as in the CL during the late-luteal (LL) stage and regressed stage (d). Cont: the CL not treated with PGF. ML: mid-luteal, Reg: regressed CL. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01