The increased endotoxin-sensitivity of pregnant rats, as reflected by glomerular ecto-ADP-ase activity, is not dependent on the presence of decidual cells

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) 1996-03, Vol.17 (2), p.185-188
• Main Authors: Faas, M.M., Schuiling, G.A., Baller, J.F.W., Valkhof, N., Bakker, W.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Apyrase - drug effects; Apyrase - metabolism; Decidua - cytology; Decidua - physiology; Endotoxins - pharmacology; Female; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Kidney Glomerulus - enzymology; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/S0143-4004(96)80013-0

In the present study the possible role of decidual cells in the pregnancy-associated increased sensitivity of glomerular ecto-ADP-ase to endotoxin was investigated. Early (day 5) pregnant (E-Pr; n=10), pseudopregnant (E-PSP, n=10), (day 5), pseudopregnant rats with a decidualized uterus (E-DEC; n=10), as well as late (day 14) pregnant (L-Pr; n=10), pseudopregnant (L-PSP, n=10) (day 14), and pseudopregnant rats with a decidualized uterus (E-DEC; n=10) were infused with either endotoxin (1.0 mg/kg bw) or saline. Three days later rats were killed and specimens of the left kidney were snap-frozen. Cryostat kidney sections (4μm) were stained for ecto-ADP-ase activity and quantitatively evaluated. The results show that only glomerular ecto-ADP-ase activity of both groups of pregnant rats (E-Pr and L-Pr) was significantly decreased after endotoxin infusion as compared to saline infusion. In the other groups of rats, no significant differences in ecto-ADP-ase activity were observed between saline and endotoxin infusion. It is concluded that decidual cells do not play a role in the increased sensitivity of ecto-ADP-ase to endotoxin during pregnancy.