A comparison of the uterine proteome of mares in oestrus and dioestrus.
Abstract: Proteomic analysis of mare uterine flush fluid provides a minimally invasive technique for studying protein changes associated with the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to identify differentially abundant proteins in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. In this study, uterine flush fluid samples were collected from eight reproductively healthy mares in either oestrus (n = 5) or dioestrus (n = 3). Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of 172 proteins identified, six proteins (immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide 1, haemoglobin subunit alpha, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, serotransferrin, apolipoprotein A-1, and haemoglobin subunit beta) were significantly more abundant in oestrus. These proteins may contribute to the endometrial defence system through roles in inflammation, immunity or antimicrobial activity. In other species, some of these proteins have been described as immunoglobulins, negative acute phase proteins or defence agents against micro-organisms. During dioestrus, immunoglobulin alpha-1 chain C region-related, complement factor I, CD 109 antigen and uterocalin, were significantly more abundant. Research in other species suggests that these four proteins contribute to the immune response through proposed immunoregulatory characteristics, complement system involvement or roles in B cell-T cell interactions. In conclusion, ten differentially abundant proteins were identified in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. Targeted studies on these proteins could elucidate their role in uterine defence mechanisms during the oestrous cycle in the mare.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2018-12-10 PubMed ID: 30428136DOI: 10.1111/rda.13375Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The analysis has been conducted to identify possible differences in protein abundance in the uterine fluid of mares during the oestrus and dioestrus phases. The study identified ten proteins with variable levels that could be linked to endometrial defence mechanisms.
Objective of the Study
- The main aim of this study was to understand the protein changes that occur within the uterine fluid of mares during oestrus and dioestrus stages, offering potential insight into associated defence mechanisms. The researchers hoped to identify proteins that are differentially abundant during these cycles.
Methodology
- The study utilized mare uterine fluid, collected from eight healthy mares in different phases – five in oestrus and three in dioestrus.
- The proteomic analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a robust and precise technique for protein identification and quantification.
Results and Findings
- A total of 172 proteins were identified, and differences in abundance were noted in the case of ten proteins between the oestrus and dioestrus stages.
- Six proteins (immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide 1, haemoglobin subunit alpha, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, serotransferrin, apolipoprotein A-1, and haemoglobin subunit beta) showed higher levels during oestrus. These proteins are associated with inflammation, immune response and antimicrobial activity, suggesting they might play critical roles in endometrial defence mechanisms.
- Four proteins (immunoglobulin alpha-1 chain C region-related, complement factor I, CD 109 antigen and uterocalin) were found to be more abundant during dioestrus. These proteins have potential roles in immunoregulatory characteristics, complement system interaction and B cell-T cell crosstalk based on previous research in other species.
Conclusion
- The study successfully identified ten proteins that showed different levels of abundance in the uterine fluid during oestrus and dioestrus phases.
- The identified proteins could aid in the understanding of uterine defence mechanisms during the oestrous cycle, and serve as potential targets for further research.
Cite This Article
APA
Maloney SE, Khan FA, Chenier TS, Diel de Amorim M, Anthony Hayes M, Scholtz EL.
(2018).
A comparison of the uterine proteome of mares in oestrus and dioestrus.
Reprod Domest Anim, 54(3), 473-479.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13375 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Estrus / metabolism
- Female
- Horses
- Proteome / metabolism
- Proteomics
- Uterus / metabolism
Grant Funding
- RGPIN-2009-155433 / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Camacho CA, Santos GO, Caballeros JE, Cazales N, Ramirez CJ, Vidigal PMP, Ramos HJO, Barros E, Mattos RC. Uterine infusion of conceptus fragments changes the protein profile from cyclic mares. Anim Reprod 2020 Nov 25;17(4):e20200552.
- Bunsueb S, Lapyuneyong N, Tongpan S, Arun S, Iamsaard S. Chronic stress increases the tyrosine phosphorylation in female reproductive organs: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021 Jan;19(1):87-96.
- Luongo C, González-Brusi L, Cots-Rodríguez P, Izquierdo-Rico MJ, Avilés M, García-Vázquez FA. Sperm Proteome after Interaction with Reproductive Fluids in Porcine: From the Ejaculation to the Fertilization Site. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Aug 22;21(17).
- da Silva-Álvarez E, Gómez-Arrones V, Correa-Fiz F, Martín-Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Carrasco JJ, Rey J, Aparicio IM, Peña FJ, Alonso JM, Ortega-Ferrusola C. Metagenomic and proteomic analyses reveal similar reproductive microbial profiles and shared functional pathways in uterine immune regulation in mares and jennies. PLoS One 2025;20(4):e0321389.
- Yuan X, Yao X, Zeng Y, Wang J, Ren W, Wang T, Li X, Yang L, Yang X, Meng J. The Impact of the Competition on miRNA, Proteins, and Metabolites in the Blood Exosomes of the Yili Horse. Genes (Basel) 2025 Feb 15;16(2).
- Virendra A, Gulavane SU, Ahmed ZA, Reddy R, Chaudhari RJ, Gaikwad SM, Shelar RR, Ingole SD, Thorat VD, Khanam A, Khan FA. Metagenomic analysis unravels novel taxonomic differences in the uterine microbiome between healthy mares and mares with endometritis. Vet Med Sci 2024 Mar;10(2):e1369.
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