Induction of Cyclooxygenase Type-2 (COX-2) in Rat Endometrium at the Peak of Serum Estradiol during the Estrus Cycle

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We investigated the induction of cyclooxygenase (COX) in rat endometrium during the estrus cycle. The estrus cycle was divided into five stages (proestrus, estrus, diestrus-1, diestrus-2, diestrus-3) by cytological observation of vaginal smears. COX-1 was detected in the endometrium during all five stages of the estrus cycle. In contrast, COX-2 in the endometrium was detectable only in three stages (diestrus-3, proestrus, estrus) and showed a peak at diestrus-3, coinciding with the peak in serum estradiol level, suggesting the estradiol-dependent induction of COX-2.