Immunocytochemistry of Estrogen and Progestin Receptors in the Primate Reproductive Tract

Abstract

The central focus of our research program, since its inception, has been on steroid receptors as components of regulatory mechanisms that control tissue structure and function in the reproductive tract in female primates. Our approach has been to correlate fluctuations in the levels of receptors with the morphological and physiological effects of the gonadal steroids. Our long-term goal is to deepen our understanding of how steroids bring about the various transformations that occur in the primate reproductive tract during the individual’s life history. Our current research depends heavily on immunocytochemical techniques that have come to maturity in our laboratory over the last few years (1–3). Our findings to date support the hypothesis (4) that there are significant stromal-epithelial interactions involved in steroid hormone action in the adult reproductive tract. Our findings also support the view that in vivo, the bulk of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progestin receptor (PR) are located in target cell nuclei, even in the absence of ligand (5–7).