Enhanced expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in the rat endometrium following induction of decidualisation.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA) assayed in uteri of cycling and deciduoma bearing rats shows detectable levels of this enzyme in endometrium. Zymographic analysis confirms uPA of decidual tissue and, following artificial induction of decidualisation, uPA activity constantly increases in the decidualising endometrium reaching a peak on day 9 of pseudopregnancy. Endometrial uPA of nonpregnant rats does not show any significant change during estrous cycle. Results are discussed in relation to expression of this activator in endometrium of rats during morphogenesis of decidual cells.