Alterations in tight junction molecules of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in the rat

Distribution patterns of the tight junction associated proteins ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin were investigated in rat uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy. Light microscopy and immunohistochemical labelling were used to detect these proteins on days 1, 3, 6 and 7 of pregnancy. Intense staining of claudin-1 at the apical region of the lateral plasma membrane accompanied diffuse staining throughout the cytoplasm. ZO-1 was also localised in the apical region, but ZO-1 was not present in the lower two thirds of the lateral plasma membrane or in the cytoplasm. Occludin was present only on days 6 and 7 of pregnancy. Labelling was also localised in the apical region of the lateral plasma membrane where tight junctions are known to be present. Our results show that ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin are present in the apical region of uterine epithelial cells, and appear to play a role in the very dynamic tight-junctional network of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy. In particular, occludin appears only during uterine receptivity for implantation.