Figure 1

Expression of ERα transcript in rat placentae during gestation. [A] Ethidium bromide stained gel for ERα. The migration of the 100 bp marker (M) is shown on the left-hand side and the calculated size of the signal indicated on the right-hand side of the gel (expected size is 623 bp). An extra ~500 bp band was detected for ERα. Both RT- and water samples were negative (data not shown). Reactions were performed for 32 cycles at 45°C, using standard reaction conditions. [B] Ethidium bromide stained gel for 18S. The migration of the 100 bp marker (M) is shown on the left-hand side and the calculated size of the signal indicated on the right-hand side of the gel (expected size is 419 bp). Both RT- and water samples were negative (data not shown). Reactions were performed for 24 cycles at 45°C, using standard reaction conditions. [C] Relative ERα mRNA level. The amount of product was expressed relative to 18S. Samples were run in duplicates; results shown are mean ± S.E.M. (n = 4). A significant decrease in ERα mRNA expression was detected between 16 and 21 dg and 19 and 21 dg for both PCR products (*p < 0.001).