Gelatinase mRNA expression profiles obtained with quantitative PCR during gestation

The microarray data suggest that MMP-2 has an initiating role in endometrial remodeling throughout gestation. Therefore, we focused on gelatinase expression and analyzed the profiles in more detail using quantitative RT-PCR (Fig. 2). The highest MMP-2 expression was found during the estrous cycle, although rather high expression remained in early gestation. During the middle of gestation, MMP-2 expression was decreased and fell to low levels with as gestation progressed. The level was 3- to 4-times less than that observed during the estrous cycle. The expression levels in CAR were higher than those in ICAR during the estrous cycle and early gestation. There were no significant differences between the levels in the intercotyledon and cotyledon. In cotyledonay tissue, MMP-2 expression was lower than in the endometrium throughout gestation.