Development and Function of Uterine Glands in Domestic Animals

Abstract

All mammalian uteri contain glands that synthesize or transport and secrete substances into the uterine lumen. Uterine gland development, or adenogenesis, is uniquely a postnatal event in sheep and pigs and involves differentiation of glandular epithelium from luminal epithelium, followed by invagination and coiling morphogenesis throughout the stroma. Intrinsic transcription factors and extrinsic factors from the ovary and pituitary as well as the mammary gland (lactocrine) regulate uterine adenogenesis. Recurrent pregnancy loss is observed in the ovine uterine gland knockout sheep, providing unequivocal evidence that glands and their products are essential for fertility. Uterine gland hyperplasia and hypertrophy during pregnancy are controlled by sequential actions of hormones from the ovary and/or pituitary as well as the placenta. Gland-derived histotroph is transported by placental areolae for fetal growth. Increased knowledge of uterine gland biology is expected to improve pregnancy outcomes, as well as the health and productivity of mothers and their offspring. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences Volume 7 is February 15, 2019. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Development of the human placenta

“…The endometrial glands play a key role in embryo implantation and development of the placenta in mice and domestic species (Spencer et al, 2019). Glands become hypersecretory in early pregnancy, exhibiting a characteristic appearance known as the Arias-Stella reaction (Arias-Stella, 1954).…”

Mating to Intact, but Not Vasectomized, Males Elicits Changes in the Endometrial Transcriptome: Insights From the Bovine Model

“…In cattle, the uterine glands are located in the intercaruncular areas of the endometrium, while the caruncular areas are aglandular. These glands are responsible for the secretion of the histotroph, which will nurture the developing embryo, and drive the maternal signals of implantation (Kelleher et al, 2019;Spencer et al, 2019). In addition, epithelial sections of anterior vagina and whole sections of the ampulla of the ipsilateral oviduct were obtained.…”

Genital abnormalities associated to lack of uterine adenogenesis or endometrial gland dysgenesis of female dromedary camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>)

“…Chromosomal aberrations, gene mutation or epigenetic strategies, both hormonal disturbances, and improper distribution of hormone receptors can result in http: //www.openveterinaryjournal.com D. E. Gherissi et al Open Veterinary Journal, (2020), Vol. 10(1): 44-52 incomplete adenogenesis or total UGKO (Chethan et al, 2017;Cooke et al, 2013;Emam, 2014;Gray et al, 2001a;Osman et al, 2018;Spencer et al, 2019). The uterus unicornis had been described in different farm animal species.…”

“…The vast array of structural anomalies seen in Müllerian duct defects results from interruption or dysregulation in Müllerian duct development at various stages of morphogenesis (Gray et al, 2001a). The well-known factors, such as intra-and extrauterine elements, genetics, and teratogens, have been associated with Müllerian duct anomalies (Golan et al, 1989;Spencer et al, 2019). The genetics of Müllerian duct anomalies are complex.…”