FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Reproduction, fertility, and development2007; 19(8); 925-932; doi: 10.1071/rd06159

Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis and cell proliferation in the equine endometrium during the oestrous cycle.

Abstract: Cell proliferation and apoptosis are hormone-dependent physiological processes involved in endometrial growth and regression. The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate endometrial cell proliferation using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression; (2) to evaluate the induction of endometrial cell death by the expression of active caspase-3 and the apoptotic phenotype visualised by DNA fragmentation; and (3) to relate these observations to endometrial tissue dynamics in the equine endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle. Endometria were assigned to follicular and luteal phases based on ovarian structures and plasma progesterone. Cell proliferation and active caspase-3-mediated apoptosis were expressed in both phases of the oestrous cycle. In the luteal phase, PCNA expression was higher than in the follicular phase. Highest PCNA activity was noted in the luminal and glandular structures. Active caspase-3 staining was increased in luminal epithelium and deep glandular cells during the luteal phase. However, in the follicular phase, stromal cells showed greater active caspase-3 expression. Only a few apoptotic endometrial cells were detected by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and these cells were mostly present in luminal and glandular structures. A simultaneous increase in DNA, cell proliferation and protein synthesis was observed in the endometrium during the mid-luteal phase. This suggests that cell hyperplasia occurs at the time the histotroph is needed for eventual embryo nourishment.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2007-12-14 PubMed ID: 18076824DOI: 10.1071/rd06159Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research examines the hormonal regulation of cell death and proliferation in the endometrium tissue of horses during the oestrous cycle, using markers for cell death (caspase-3) and proliferation (PCNA). The study links these findings to dynamic changes in the endometrium across the cycle, indicating potential implications for the underlying cellular processes involved in equine fertility.

Background and Aims

  • The study aims to investigate the regulation of cell growth and death in the endometrium of horses. Specifically, the study examines endometrial cell proliferation through the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cell death through the expression of active caspase-3 and the apoptotic phenotype visualised by DNA fragmentation.
  • The study also seeks to understand the correlation between these cellular processes and the dynamic changes in the equine endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle.

Methodology

  • The endometria sampled in the study were assigned to follicular and luteal phases based on observed ovarian structures and plasma progesterone levels.
  • The prevalence of cell proliferation and active caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in both phases of the oestrous cycle was assessed.

Findings

  • Key findings of the study include the observation that cell proliferation, measured through PCNA expression, was higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. The highest PCNA activity was recorded in the luminal and glandular structures of the endometrium.
  • Active caspase-3 expression indicating apoptosis was higher in luminal epithelial and deep glandular cells during the luteal phase as opposed to the follicular phase, where stromal cells exhibited greater active caspase-3 expression.
  • A few apoptotic endometrial cells were detected by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL); these cells were primarily found in luminal and glandular structures.
  • The research also noted a simultaneous increase in DNA, cell proliferation, and protein synthesis in the endometrium during the mid-luteal phase. The researchers interpreted this as indicative of cell hyperplasia at the time when the histotroph (uterine secretion) is needed for eventual embryo nourishment.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The findings suggest that endometrial cell death and proliferation during the equine oestrous cycle is hormone-dependent and contributes to the dynamic changes observed in the tissue over the cycle.
  • This has potential importance for understanding the complex cellular processes underlying equine fertility and could inform future research efforts and potentially fertility treatments in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Roberto da Costa RP, Serrão PM, Monteiro S, Pessa P, Silva JR, Ferreira-Dias G. (2007). Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis and cell proliferation in the equine endometrium during the oestrous cycle. Reprod Fertil Dev, 19(8), 925-932. https://doi.org/10.1071/rd06159

Publication

Reproduction, fertility, and development
ISSN: 1031-3613
NlmUniqueID: 8907465
Country: Australia
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 8
Pages: 925-932

Researcher Affiliations

Roberto da Costa, R P
  • Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
Serrão, P M
    Monteiro, S
      Pessa, P
        Silva, J Robalo
          Ferreira-Dias, G

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Apoptosis / physiology
            • Caspase 3 / physiology
            • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
            • Endometrium / cytology
            • Endometrium / enzymology
            • Estrous Cycle / physiology
            • Female
            • Horses / physiology
            • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
            • In Situ Nick-End Labeling / veterinary
            • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / physiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 15 times.
            1. Alpoim-Moreira J, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Słyszewska M, Rebordão MR, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC, Decitabine) Inhibits Collagen Type I and III Expression in TGF-β1-Treated Equine Endometrial Fibroblasts. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 30;13(7).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13071212pubmed: 37048467google scholar: lookup
            2. Jasiński T, Zdrojkowski Ł, Ferreira-Dias G, Kautz E, Juszczuk-Kubiak E, Domino M. Molecular Mechanism of Equine Endometrosis: The NF-κB-Dependent Pathway Underlies the Ovarian Steroid Receptors' Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Jul 1;23(13).
              doi: 10.3390/ijms23137360pubmed: 35806363google scholar: lookup
            3. Jasiński T, Zdrojkowski Ł, Kautz E, Juszczuk-Kubiak E, Ferreira-Dias G, Domino M. Equine Endometrosis Pathological Features: Are They Dependent on NF-κB Signaling Pathway?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 4;11(11).
              doi: 10.3390/ani11113151pubmed: 34827882google scholar: lookup
            4. Rebordão MR, Amaral A, Fernandes C, Silva E, Lukasik K, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Pinto-Bravo P, Galvão A, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. Enzymes Present in Neutrophil Extracellular Traps May Stimulate the Fibrogenic PGF(2α) Pathway in the Mare Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 6;11(9).
              doi: 10.3390/ani11092615pubmed: 34573581google scholar: lookup
            5. Amaral A, Fernandes C, Morazzo S, Rebordão MR, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Lukasik K, Gawronska-Kozak B, Telo da Gama L, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. The Inhibition of Cathepsin G on Endometrial Explants With Endometrosis in the Mare. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:582211.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.582211pubmed: 33195599google scholar: lookup
            6. Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Leciejewska N, Zelmańska B, Staszkiewicz-Chodor J, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski D. Lysophosphatidic acid as a regulator of endometrial connective tissue growth factor and prostaglandin secretion during estrous cycle and endometrosis in the mare. BMC Vet Res 2020 Sep 17;16(1):343.
              doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02562-6pubmed: 32943074google scholar: lookup
            7. Amaral A, Fernandes C, Rebordão MR, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Lukasik K, Gawronska-Kozak B, Telo da Gama L, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. The In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Sivelestat on Elastase Induced Collagen and Metallopeptidase Expression in Equine Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 16;10(5).
              doi: 10.3390/ani10050863pubmed: 32429399google scholar: lookup
            8. Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Słowińska M, Pacewicz J, Skarzynski DJ, Okuda K. Matrix metallopeptidase expression and modulation by transforming growth factor-β1 in equine endometrosis. Sci Rep 2020 Jan 24;10(1):1119.
              doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58109-0pubmed: 31980722google scholar: lookup
            9. Zhang L, Liu X, Liu J, Zhou Z, Song Y, Cao B, An X. miR-182 aids in receptive endometrium development in dairy goats by down-regulating PTN expression. PLoS One 2017;12(7):e0179783.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179783pubmed: 28678802google scholar: lookup
            10. Szóstek AZ, Galvão AM, Hojo T, Okuda K, Skarzynski DJ. Interleukins affect equine endometrial cell function: modulatory action of ovarian steroids. Mediators Inflamm 2014;2014:208103.
              doi: 10.1155/2014/208103pubmed: 24719522google scholar: lookup
            11. Lu Y, Li CS, Dong Q. Chinese herb related molecules of cancer-cell-apoptosis: a minireview of progress between Kanglaite injection and related genes. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2008 Aug 21;27(1):31.
              doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-27-31pubmed: 18718024google scholar: lookup
            12. Amaral A, Sadowska A, Cerveira-Pinto M, Kordowitzki P, Skarzynski D, Ferreira-Dias G, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A. Ovarian steroids modulate mRNA expression of ECM associated genes and collagen deposition induced by TGF β1 in equine endometrium in vitro. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 2;15(1):538.
              doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-84250-1pubmed: 39747561google scholar: lookup
            13. Piotrowska-Tomala KK, Szóstek-Mioduchowska AZ, Drzewiecka EM, Jonczyk AW, Wójtowicz A, Wrobel MH, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski DJ. Prostaglandin pathways in equine myometrium regulations: endometrosis progression. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1479508.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1479508pubmed: 39735588google scholar: lookup
            14. Piotrowska-Tomala KK, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Jonczyk AW, Drzewiecka EM, Wrobel MH, Hojo T, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski DJ. The effect of lysophosphatidic acid on myometrial contractility and the mRNA transcription of its receptors in the myometrium at different stages of endometrosis in mares. BMC Vet Res 2024 Dec 19;20(1):571.
              doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04384-2pubmed: 39696406google scholar: lookup
            15. Piotrowska-Tomala KK, Jonczyk AW, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Hojo T, Żebrowska E, Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski DJ. Intrauterine devices influence prostaglandin secretion by equine uterus: in vitro and in vivo studies. BMC Vet Res 2024 Feb 3;20(1):46.
              doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03889-0pubmed: 38310284google scholar: lookup
            Subscribe to our newsletter
            Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.