• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.61-83
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n =8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and KCT treated group. KCT (1,200 mg/head) was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants. The weight (body, left uterus and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-l${\beta}$) in serum and peritoneal fluid were also measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results : - The volumes(mm$^3$) of endometriotic implants in KCT-treated group (107${\pm}$66) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (405${\pm}$318). - The contents(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (6,940${\pm}$893) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (8,632${\pm}$1,245). - The contents(pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (847${\pm}$330) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (1,245${\pm}$362). - The percentages(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in KCT-treated group (31${\pm}$10) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (50${\pm}$8). - The numbers of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group (69${\pm}$18) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (109${\pm}$30). - The numbers of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group(16${\pm}$5) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (26${\pm}$8). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of KCT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects are related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Keukhachukeo-Tang.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.262-268
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• 2006

During endometrial differentiation the extracellular matrix (ECM) changes dramatically to prepare for implantation of the embryo. However, the genes regulating the ECM build-up in the uterine endometrium during early pregnancy are not well known. Using the PCR-select cDNA subtraction method, dermatopontin was identified in the uterus of a pregnant mouse on day 4 of gestation. Dermatopontin mRNA increased dramatically on day 3, and was at its highest level at the time of implantation. Administration of RU 486 significantly inhibited mRNA expression by day 4 of gestation, but ICI 182,780 did not. Progesterone markedly induced dermatopontin expression in ovariectomized uteri within 4 h of administration, whereas estrogen had little effect. In silico analysis revealed progesterone receptor binding sites in the dermatopontin promoter region. Decidualization did not induce expression of dermatopontin; instead dermatopontin mRNA became strongly localized at the interimplantation site. In situ hybridization revealed that expression gradually decreased in the luminal epithelial cells as pregnancy progressed, whereas it increased in the stromal cells. The pattern of localization and the changes of intensity of dermatopontin mRNA coincided with those of collagen. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that dermatopontin expression is steroid-dependent. They also suggest that, at the time of implantation, dermatopontin expression is primarily regulated spatio-temporally by progesterone via progesterone receptors, and is modulated by the decidual response during implantation. Dermatopontin may be one of the regulators used to remodel the uterine ECM for pregnancy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.919-928
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• 2011

The pig exhibits true epitheliochorial placentation, where the fetal membrane maintains attachment throughout pregnancy but does not invade into the maternal uterine endometrium. Accordingly, the expression and function of cell adhesion molecules are very important for embryo implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. In our recent microarray analysis, we found that activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) was expressed in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy in pigs. To better understand the roles of ALCAM in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, we examined ALCAM expression in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that ALCAM was differentially expressed in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, with the highest levels on D12 of pregnancy. ALCAM mRNA was localized to the luminal and glandular epithelial cells and to the trophectoderm of conceptuses during early pregnancy. The steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone had no effect on ALCAM expression in an endometrial explant culture study. Further, we found that ALCAM expression in the uterine endometrium from gilts with somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryos was not different from that in gilts with embryos from natural mating. ALCAM was expressed in a pregnancy stage- and cell type-specific manner in the uterine endometrium and conceptuses during pregnancy. These findings suggest that ALCAM may play a role in the establishment of pregnancy. Further analysis of ALCAM will provide insight into the implantation process and establishment of pregnancy in pigs.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.162-185
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang(GGT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Materials and Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by auotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3)surgically induced endometriosis and GGT treated group. GGT(700mg/head) was orally administrated for 15days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the content of cytokines(MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-l{\beta}$) in serum and ascites. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results :- The $volume(mm^3)$ of endometriotic implants in GGT-treated group$(53.50\;{\pm}18.63)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.01) compared with control group$(404.50{\pm}317.68)$. - The content(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in ascites in GGT-treated group$(4265{\pm}108)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(8632{\pm}1245)$. - The content(pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum in GGT-treated group$(64.5{\pm}21.6)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(147.1{\pm}78.2)$. - The content(pg/ml)- of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in ascites in GGT-treated group$(738.3{\pm}502.4)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(1245.2{\pm}362.2)$. - The percentage(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in GGT-treated group$(22.9{\pm}9.3)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(50.2{\pm}8.2)$. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(61.4{\pm}13.9)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(109.3{\pm}30.2)$. - The number of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(9.4{\pm}2.7)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(26.0{\pm}7.7)$. - Histopathologically, proliferation of endomeuiotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of GGT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion :On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gamigwichulpajing-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased Production of MCP-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권8호
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• pp.1176-1182
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• 2018

Objective: Progesterone receptor (PGR) and AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) have important roles in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the uterus. In present studies, we examined the expression of mitochondrial tumor suppressor 1 (MTUS1) in the murine uterus during early pregnancy as well as in response to ovarian steroid hormone treatment. Methods: We performed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry analysis to investigate the regulation of MTUS1 by ARID1A and determined expression patterns of MTUS1 in the uterus during early pregnancy. Results: The expression of MTUS1 was detected on day 0.5 of gestation (GD 0.5) and then gradually increased until GD 3.5 in the luminal and glandular epithelium. However, the expression of MTUS1 was significantly reduced in the uterine epithelial cells of $Pgr^{cre/+}Arid1a^{f/f}$ and Pgr knockout (PRKO) mice at GD 3.5. Furthermore, MTUS1 expression was remarkably induced after P4 treatment in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the wild-type mice. However, the induction of MTUS1 expression was not detected in uteri of $Pgr^{cre/+}Arid1a^{f/f}$ or PRKO mice treated with P4. Conclusion: These results suggest that MTUS1 is a novel target gene by ARID1A and PGR in the uterine epithelial cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to investigate the antimutagenic potential of the methanolic extract from the leaves of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas, IB) with the SOS chromotest (umu test) and Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100. The anticarcinogenic effects were also studied by calculation of the $IC_{50}$ on human cancer cell lines and investigating the function of gap junction in rat liver epithelial cells. The IB extract inhibited dose-dependently the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity induced spontaneously at concentration of more than 200 mg/ml in S. typhimurium TA 1535/pSK 1002, and decreased significantly (p < 0.01) the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activities induced by mutagen 6-chloro-9-[3-(2-chloroethylamino)proylamino]-2-methoxyacridine dihydrochloride (ICR) at dose of more than 0.4 mg/0.1 ml. The IB extract showed no effect on the spontaneous reversions of S. typhimurium TA 98 and 100 but benzo(${\alpha}$)pyrene (BaP)-stimulated reversions were decreased dose-dependently (p < 0.01) at the concentration of more than 100 mg/ml. The $IC_{50}$ value of stomach cancer cells was lower than that of normal rat liver epithelial cells, but the values of colon and uterine cancer cell lines were similar to those of normal rat liver epithelial cells. The transfer of dye through gap junctions was not affected by treatment of the IB extracts at any concentration during treatment periods. The simultaneously treatment of IB extract and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) effectively prevented the inhibition of dye transfer induced by TPA 1 hour after treatment at all exposed concentrations. The number of gap junctions was significantly (p < 0.01) increased by the treatment with IB extract at concentrations of more than 40 ${\mu}g$/ml. The inhibition of the expression of gap junction proteins by TPA (0.01 ${\mu}g$/ml) was recovered dose dependently by the simultaneous treatment of IB extracts. Our data suggest that Ipomea batatas has antimutagenic and anticarcionogenic activity in vitro.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.141-150
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• 1994

전자현미경에 의해 자궁부착 전후의 돼지 수정란의 형태형성 및 분화에 따른 배발생 과정을 검토하였다. 돼지 초기배는 자궁이주후 균일하게 자궁에 배분되기전 약 2~3일간은 자궁각의 proximal portion에 존재하며, 임신 4일째에 할구와 할구의 경계를 상실하는 tight한 gap junction을 가진 상실배로 발달한다. 배반포를 형성하는 시기에 estradiol 17$\beta$는 compact한 상실배를 cavitated blastocyst로 발달을 촉진시키면서, steroid hormone이 이후의 배발생을 지배한다. Hatching의 시기는 교배후 6~7일경 zona pellucida을 둘러사고 있는 glycoprotein의 thinning과 lysis에 의해 이루워지는데, hatching 과정은 embryo의 세포수와 무관하였으며, 이때의 embryo의 직경은 0.5~1.0mm인 것을 본 실험에서 확인하였다. 12일경부터는 embryo는 prostaglandins, IGF-binding protein, retinol binding protein, plasminogen activator등의 단백질이 풍부해 이들 인자가 elongation 개시 후보로 고려될 수 있었다. 또한 이 시기의 embryo는 embryonic disc로 발달시 progesterone과 estrogen을 estradiol 17$\beta$로 전활할 수 있으며, 이러한 변화와 함께 spherical stage로부터 tubular 혹은 filamentous form으로 변형되었다. Estrogen이 임신을 통해 prostagladins의 분비를 uterine lumen에 지시하는지는 알 수 없으나 13일 경을 전후해 conceptus estrogen이 uterine arterial blood flow, uterine vasular permeability을 증가시키는 것으로 나타났으며, 자궁에서 protein과 calcium, PGF2$\alpha$, plasminogen inhibitor를 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이 시기의 자궁 변화와 함께 embryo의 attachment는 trophoblast와 uterine membrane사이의 느슨한 결합에 의해 개시되었으며, 18일경 uterine과 trophoblastic microvili의 interdigitation에 의해 완성된다. 이 시기에 conceptus attachment를 위해 필요한 uterine microvili에서의 glycocalyx의 형성과 endometrial epithelium의 erosion을 야기하기 위해 plasminogen activator을 분비하였으며, 반면 자궁에서 plasminogen 역할을 하는 것은 estrogen이며, blastocyst cell 표면의 lectin binding이 attachment에 중요한 역할을 한다. 이상과 같은 일련의 과정을 거친 초기배는 성공적인 임신으로 유도된다고 본다. 따라서, 본 연구는 이상과 같이 착상을 전후한 시기의 배를 전자현미경에 의해 형태형성의 변화를 특히 착상을 전후해 배 취사율이 높은 시기를 대상으로 분석하였다. 이 분석 시기중 성공적인 착상성공율은 56%(71/126)였다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.104-127
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Dangguijakyaksan on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8). (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8). (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Dangguijakyaksan treated group. Dangguijakyaksan was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight. the volume of endometriotic implants. the weight of uterus and ovary. and analysed the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF. and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were also performed. Results: - The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - The concentration(pg/ml) of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-l$\alpha$ in peritoneal fluids in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia. infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Dangguijakyaksan treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Dangguijakyaksan treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The number of mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. Conclusion: On the basis of these results. we concluded that Dangguijakyaksan has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$, and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF, and inhibition of mast cell infiltration by administration of Dangguijakyaksan.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.245-252
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• 2012

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of IFN-${\tau}$ on prostaglandin synthesis, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in vitro and concentration of progesterone (P4) in endometrial cells. Epithelial and stromal cells cultured in vitro were isolated from bovine endometrium and stimulated with increasing doses of IFN-${\tau}$ (0, 0.02, 0.2 and 2 ug/ml). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 1.5 IU/ml) was used as a positive control. Prostaglandin $E_2$ and $F_{2{\alpha}}$ levels in the culture media were analyzed by enzyme immunoassays and total RNA was extracted from the cells for RT-PCR. P4 concentrations of blood samples were assayed by chemiluminescent immuno assays system. In epithelial cells, COX-2 gene expression was increased in the presence of IFN-${\tau}$ (p<0.05), but it was not significantly different in all groups of stromal cells except for 2 ug/ml IFN-${\tau}$ group (p<0.05). Although IFN-${\tau}$ did not affect $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ production in epithelial cells, it decreased $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ production significantly in stromal cells (p<0.05). In vivo experiment, blood concentration of P4 was significantly increased after addition of IFN-${\tau}$ (1 ug/ml). The results indicate that PG production was mediated by COX-2 expression in stromal cells but it was not affected in epithelial cells and this suggest that treatment of IFN-${\tau}$ could improve the implantation environment of uterine by maintenance of high P4 concentration.