Figure 5

Tunel staining On day 4.5 pc the epithelium which surrounds the implantation chamber is characterized by local expression of connexin26 with a decreasing gradient towards the luminal epithelium (red). At the mesometrial part of the implantation chamber apoptotic bodies (green) are observed in the epithelium (a). On day 7 pc the epithelium of the implantation chamber is degenerated. Some Tunel positive cells are detected in the adjacent luminal epithelium as well as in the primary decidual zone, predominantly at the antimesometrial pole (b). IC, implantation chamber; E, luminal uterine epithelium; PD, primary decidual zone; m, mesometrial side. Bar represents 200 μm in a, b.