SİÇOVUL BALALIĞINDAN ESTROGEN VƏ PROGESTERON RESEPTORLARININ EKSPRESSİYASINA AĞIR METALLARIN TƏSİRİ

Abstract

The results of the study present the effect of heavy metals (HMs) on estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors expression in the rat`s uterus and the possible protective effect of vitamin E treatment. Female rats were exposed to heavy metal salts (zinc, copper, iron, manganese, lead, and chromium) via contaminated water for 90 days. Animals were assigned to three Groups: control animals (Group I) that received ordinary drinking water; animals (Group II) that were orally administered with HMs substances given with a reference range; and rats (Group III) were administered with HMs and treated with vitamin E. The Ultra Vision Quanto Detection System HRP DAB Chromogen with primary antibodies to ER and PR were used for the immunohistochemical research. The results of the study showed a decrease of ER expression (weaker staining with a smaller proportion of stained cells) in the stroma and epithelium of the endometrium from animals of experimental groups II (HMs exposure only) and III (HMs exposure with vitamin E treatment) compared to the control. A similar tendency (weak staining and an insufficient number of stained cells) was found in the uterus myometrium. The study showed a reduction (weak staining with an insufficient number of stained cells) of PR expression in the endometrium stroma and epithelium and longitudinal muscular layer, while its level in the circular muscle cells remained unchanged. Furthermore, a significant difference in the ER and PR expression was observed in the endometrial epithelium and longitudinal muscular layer in Group III compared to Group II.