RNA Tumor Virus Expression in Mouse Uterine Tissue During Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy resulted in a bi-phasic increase in total type C virus p30 in the uteri of NIH Swiss mice. The first, a two-fold increase, occurred shortly after coitus (≤4 da) and the second, which culminated as a ten-fold increase over precoitus levels, occurred during the terminal week of gestation. Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence of uterine tissue demonstrated virus within the uterine secretory epithelium. Mature particles were seen in the intercellular spaces of the endometrium, as well as budding from epithelial cells proximal to the basal lamina.