Fig. 4

Characterization of lymphatic vessels and macrophages in the peri-implantation uterus. H&E and double staining IF of E3.5 (A – C) and E6.5 (D – F) uterine sections. Ovals indicate areas of the uteri magnified (E1 and F1). (A) H&E at E3.5 highlighting the luminal epithelium (arrows), inner circular and outer longitudinal myometrium [dashed bracket (myo)], endometrial stroma (st) and serosa (s). (B, C) LYVE1⁺ lymphatics are observed throughout the myometrium and serosa, but are not detected in the endometrial stroma. CD11b⁺ macrophages (B) and F4/80⁺ macrophages (C) are abundant throughout the endometrium, myometrium, and serosa, but their distribution patterns differ. (D) H&E at E6.5 highlighting the embryo (e), inter-implantation sites (i) and myometrium (myo). (E, F) LYVE1⁺ lymphatics are observed throughout the myometrium at E6.5. The LYVE1 positive staining in the decidua does not have a vascular pattern (E1, F1). CD11b⁺ macrophages (E) and F4/80⁺ macrophages (F) are abundant throughout the myometrium and serosa, but scattered throughout the decidua at E6.5. LYVE1⁺ F4/80⁺ macrophages are detected in the myometrium at E6.5 (F, white arrowheads). DAPI identifies all nuclei in IF images. am, anti-mesometrial; m-mesometrial. Bar in A – D =100 μm. Bar in E and F = 500 μm. Bar in E1 and F1 = 50 μm.