Differential expression patterns of Wnt genes in the murine female reproductive tract during development and the estrous cycle

Abstract

The murine female reproductive tract differentiates during postnatal development. This process of cytodifferentiation and morphogenesis is dependent upon specific mesenchymal-epithelial interactions as well as circulating steroid hormones (Cunha, G.R., 1976. Int. Rev. Cytol. 47, 137-194; Pavlova, A. et al., 1994. Development 120, 335-346). Members of the Wnt family of signaling molecules have been recently identified in this system (Pavlova, A. et al., 1994. Development 120, 335-346; Bui, T.D. et al., 1997. Br. J. Cancer 75, 1131-1136; Miller, C., Sassoon, D.A., 1998. Development, in press). We describe the expression patterns of Wnt genes in the developing and adult female reproductive tract. Additionally, we note that changes in the levels of expression occur during the estrous cycle. Wnt gene expression patterns are regulated by the presence of epithelium in tissue graft experiments, suggesting that Wnt genes may indeed play roles in the mesenchymal-epithelial interactions critical for female reproductive tract development and function.