Isolation and culture of glandular epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of mares.

This research aimed to study the properties of glandular epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of mares, particularly their prostaglandin F production and response to oxytocin. It was discovered that they behave in varying ways under an oxytocin stimulation, irrespective of their cycle stage or pregnancy status.

Isolation and Culturing Process

• The scientists in this study extracted glandular epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of mares by using collagenase digestion.
• These cells were then placed to grow on a plastic medium for a period ranging from 7 to 9 days.
• At the end of this period, it was observed that these cells had formed confluent monolayers, implying a uniform single-layered cellular growth.
• It was also observed that these cells both exhibited distinct morphological characteristics – the epithelial cells took on a polyhedral appearance while the stromal cells were more spindle-like.

Oxytocin Incubation and Prostaglandin F Secretion

• Once the confluent monolayers were formed, the researchers exposed them to an environment where there was both the presence and absence of the hormone oxytocin.
• Medium, or the substance the cells were grown in, was then removed from the wells after 2, 8, and 24 hours of incubation.
• The concentrations of prostaglandin F (PGF), a compound which acts in a hormone-like manner, was subsequently measured in the medium. It was found that the levels of PGF significantly increased over the incubation period.
• It was also observed that the glandular epithelial cells produced significantly more PGF than the stromal cells did.

Response to Oxytocin and Different Conditions

• Moreover, both types of cells showed a significant increase in the secretion of PGF when they were stimulated with oxytocin.
• The response of the glandular epithelial cells to the oxytocin treatment was noticed to be greater compared to that of the stromal cells.
• Interestingly, it was found that the secretion of PGF by these cultured cells was not affected by the stage in their reproductive cycle or whether they were pregnant or not.