Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the XXXX uteroplacental unit changes in relation to the cycle and pregnancy.

@entity291 @entity54872 @entity39671
The expression of the angiotensin-forming enzymes, @entity54872 and angiotensin-converting enzyme ( @entity39671 ), were examined in the @entity291 uteroplacental unit. The @entity39671 activity was determined in cell membrane fractions, and @entity39671 and @entity54872 were localized by autoradiography and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In the myometrium, the @entity39671 activity was significantly higher in dioestrous than in oestrous. @entity39671 activity correlated negatively with the day of gestation in the endometrium and myometrium but positively in the placentome and allantoamniotic membrane. Autoradiography showed, that @entity39671 was localized in vascular endothelial cells in all compartments. @entity39671 was also expressed in the endometrial stroma and uterine glands, most pronounced in the outer part of the basal zone. In the intercotyledonary membrane and the placentome, the mesenchymal cells located near the trophoblast cells expressed @entity39671 . Solitary macrophage- or monocyte-like cells showing intense @entity54872 immunoreactivity were found in the uterus, while the uterine and the glandular epithelial cells displayed inconsistent reactivity. No @entity54872 was observed in the placentomes or in the fetal membranes. The findings demonstrate a regulated expression of angiotensin-forming enzymes throughout the @entity291 uteroplacental unit. Whether this local @entity54872 -angiotensin system contributes to the highly regulated morphological and functional changes throughout the oestrous cycle and gestation remains to be established.
