Table 2.

Semiquantitative assessment on the intensity of the staining of NHE-2.

	Apical	Basolateral
control	−/+	−
0.2E	++	+
2E	++	++
20E	+++	++
50E	+++	++
P	+	−
E + P	+++	++
Ps	+++	+++
Es	+++	+++
Ms	−/+	−
Ds	+	−/+

Semi-quantitative assessment on the intensity of the staining of NHE2. The staining intensity was graded as the following: −: negative; −/+: faint; +: moderate; ++: strong; and +++: very intense, as described previously [13]. The intensity was confirmed by 3 independent observers. 0.2E: 0.2 μg 17β-oestradiol, 2E: 2 μg 17β-oestradiol, 20E: 20 μg 17β-oestradiol, 50E: 50 μg 17β-oestradiol, P: progesterone, E + P: 0.2 μg 17β-oestradiol + progesterone. Ps: proestrus, Es: estrus, Ms: metestrus, Ds: diestrus.