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

Abstract

Glandular epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from the endometrium of mares by collagenase digestion and were incubated on plastic for 7-9 days until the cells formed confluent monolayers. The cells differed in morphology: epithelial cells appeared polyhedral and stromal cells were spindle like. The monolayers were incubated in the presence and absence of oxytocin. Medium was removed from wells after 2, 8 and 24 h of incubation. Concentrations of prostaglandin F (PGF) in the medium increased significantly during this time. Glandular epithelial cells produced significantly more PGF than did stromal cells. Both types of cell responded significantly to oxytocin stimulation by increased secretion of PGF; the response of glandular epithelial cells tended to be greater than that of stromal cells. Secretion of PGF by cultured cells was not affected by cycle stage or pregnancy.