Abstract:

Smad2 was the intracellular signal transducer of transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ) superfamily proteins. Previous studies confirmed that Smad2 mRNA expressed in the rat and mouse uterus during implantation period. The present study examined Smad2 protein expression and localization in sheep endometrial and trophoblast during the early post-implantation period by the method of immunohistochemistry. Results showed that Smad2 protein was predominantly present in the luminal epithelial, glandular epithelium, and trophoblast. These results suggest that Smad2 expressed in the uterus and trophoblast, might be involved in the regulation of the development of endometrial and trophoblast.