Figure 3.

Estrogen Administration Promotes Mammary Epithelial Cell Proliferation in scid Mice

(A) PCNA-positive mammary epithelial cells were detected at day 30. Ratios of the positive cells were analyzed (n = 6 mice in WT + E2 and scid + E2 + Fulv. groups, and n = 8 mice in scid + PBS and scid + E2 groups, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test).

(B) Ki-67-positive mammary epithelial cells were detected. Ratios of the positive cells were analyzed (n = 6 mice, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test).

(C) PCNA-positive cells were analyzed in day 7 mice (n = 6 mice in WT + E2 and scid + E2 groups, and n = 3 in scid + PBS group, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test).

(D) Carmine alum staining was performed in mammary ducts of day 30 mice. Numbers of branches in 9 mm² area close to lymph node were counted (n = 10 mice in WT + E2, scid + PBS, and scid + E2 groups, n = 6 mice in scid + E2 + Fulv. group, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test). Fulv., fulvestrant.

Scale bars, 30 μm in (A–C) and 2 mm in (D). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. Error bars represent standard deviation. In the graphs, crosses with different colors indicated the values of different animals.