E-cadherin localization in oviduct and uterine horn of swamp buffalo during estrous cycle

Abstract

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the localization of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin)
in the oviduct and uterine horn of swamp buffalo at the follicular and mid-luteal phases. E-cadherin is a transmembrane
glycoprotein which plays a vital role in the mechanism of the maintenance epithelial architecture, cell growth and
proliferation, cell to cell adhesion including cell to epithelium adhesion. Female reproductive tracts of swamp buffaloes
(n=30) were collected from local abattoirs and categorized into follicular (n=15) and mid-luteal (n=15) phases. Tissue
samples from the oviducts and uterine horns were regularly handled according to histological and
immunohistochemical techniques. The results established that E-cadherin localization was detected in the surface
epithelium of uterotubal-junction (UTJ) and isthmus of the oviducts and strong intensity was significantly observed
(P<0.05) in the follicular phase compared to the mid-luteal phase. In the uterine horns, E-cadherin was found in the
endometrial and glandular epithelium of superficial and deep endometrial glands during both phases of the estrous
cycle. However, difference in the immunostaining intensity in the uterine tissues was not found between estrous
phases. The current findings indicate that the existence of E-cadherin in the UTJ and isthmus, called sperm reservoir,
might function with other molecular substances that appear in this region to regulate the adhesion and release of
spermatozoa. In addition, E-cadherin in the endometrial and glandular epithelium is associated with the major
preparation of the maintenance of epithelial cell architecture including cell growth and proliferation in uterine horn
before blastocyst hatching during implantation period.