Distribution of some homeobox (HOX) proteins in placenta during pregnancy in cow

Aim: This study was designed to determine the distribution of some Homeobox proteins (HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6, HOXC6, TLX1, Dlx-5, HLX) in the cow uterus and placenta during pregnancy. Material and Method: A total of 27 Holstein breed pregnant cows uterus and placenta obtained from private slaughterhouses in Diyarbakır and Hatay were used in the study. The age of the fetuses was determined by measuring the frontal rump length of the fetuses in order to determine the term of pregnancy of the material used. Based on the determined fetus age, the tissues were divided into three groups, belonging to the first, middle and last period of pregnancy. All tissue samples used were fixed in a 10% neutral formalin solution for 24 hours and then the tissues were passed through routine histological stages and blocked in paraffin. Serial sections 5 micrometers thick were taken from the prepared paraffin blocks and the sections were subjected to immunohistochemical staining using appropriate antibodies related to the genes indicated in the study. Results: As a result of the evaluation of the immunohistochemical findings obtained from this research, it was determined that different intensities of immunreactivity were observed in the uterus and placenta, depending on the periods during pregnancy. In particular, the immunreaction was observed in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells, stromal and some endothelial cells of the uterus, as well as the HOXA10, HOXB6, HOXC6 and Dlx-5 genes were localized in smooth muscle cells. In addition to these, immunoreactivity was also found in maternal epithelial and fötal trophoblasts involved in the structure of the placenta. Conclusion: As a result, it was thought that some Homeobox proteins may have critical roles in the regulation of endometrial functions, in the proliferation and differentiation of endometrial and placental cells. In addition, it was understood that they may have physiological roles in maintaining pregnancy as well as placenta formation and development.