Autoradiographic localization and characterization of angiotensin II receptors in the bovine placenta and fetal membranes

• Published in: Biology of reproduction 1998-09, Vol.59 (3), p.684-692
• Main Authors: Schauser, K.H. (The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.), Nielsen, A.H, Winther, H, Dantzer, V, Poulsen, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ALLANTOAMNIONIC MEMBRANE; ANGIOTENSIN; Animals; Autoradiography; BINDING SITES; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cell Membrane - chemistry; COWS; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Extraembryonic Membranes - chemistry; Female; Fetal membranes; FOETUS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Development. Fetal membranes; HORMONE RECEPTORS; Molecular Sequence Data; PLACENTA; Placenta - chemistry; PLACENTOME; PREGNANCY; PROTEASES; RADIOGRAPHY; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; Receptors, Angiotensin - analysis; Receptors, Angiotensin - metabolism; RENIN; Renin - analysis; Saralasin - metabolism; TRACER TECHNIQUES
• ISSN: 0006-3363; 1529-7268
• DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod59.3.684

Autoradiography and angiotensin (Ang) II receptor binding studies showed that all parts of the bovine placenta and fetal membranes contained high densities of Ang II receptors throughout gestation. The receptors were predominantly subtype 2 (AT 2 ) receptors in the fetal and subtype 1 (AT 1 ) receptors in the maternal compartment. In the allantoamnionic membrane, Ang II receptors were evenly distributed in the mesenchymal tissue, with the highest expression around the few arteries. In the intercotyledonary and cotyledonary allantochorionic membrane, AT 2 receptors as well as the less-expressed AT 1 receptors were located on mesenchymal cells, especially adjacent to the allantoic endoderm, trophoblast cell layer, and arteries. In the mesenchymal tissue of the placentome, Ang II receptors were mostly expressed at the main branches of the fetal villi of the cotyledons. In the maternal part of the placentome, mainly AT 1 receptors but also low densities of AT 2 receptors and non-AT 1 /non-AT 2 Ang II binding sites were found close to the stalk and at the main branches of the maternal crypts. Autoradiography revealed no changes in the pattern of distribution of the Ang II receptors throughout gestation. It is suggested that Ang II has an effect on regulatory as well as growth processes in these tissues.