Changes in steady-state concentrations of messenger ribonucleic acids in luteal tissue during prostaglandin F2alpha induced luteolysis in mares.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research examined how prostaglandin F2alpha affects the concentrations of specific genes involved in the regression of the corpus luteum in mares.
Methodology
In this study, the researchers used a transvaginal ultrasound-guided luteal biopsy to assess the effects of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha on the steady-state concentrations of mRNA for specific genes believed to be involved in the regression of the corpus luteum (a temporary gland formed in the ovary after ovulation).
- Eight days after ovulation, the mares were divided into three groups:
- The control group received no treatment or biopsy
- The saline+biopsy group received saline treatment and then underwent a luteal biopsy 12 hours later
- The PGF2alpha+biopsy group received 5mg of PGF2alpha treatment and then had a luteal biopsy 12 hours later.
Results
The effects of the biopsy were compared between the control group and those in the saline+biopsy group, and the results showed that there was a decrease in circulating progesterone (a key hormone produced by the corpus luteum) in the saline group to 56% of pre-biopsy values. This suggested that the biopsy had an impact on the functioning of the luteum.
- It was found that the mean plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly lower at Hour 12 in the PGF2alpha group compared to the other two groups.
- The concentration of mRNA for different genes within the luteal tissue was quantified using real-time PCR (a method to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule).
- When compared to the saline-treated mares, treatment with PGF2alpha increased mRNA for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), suggesting that exogenous (externally administered) PGF2alpha induced the synthesis of intraluteal PGF2alpha.
- However, mRNA for LH receptors, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and aromatase were all decreased as a result of the treatment.
Conclusion
In summary, the study indicates that luteal biopsy alters subsequent luteal function; nevertheless, the biopsy approach proved effective for collecting corpus luteum tissue for demonstrating dynamic changes in steady-state mRNA levels during PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis (the degradation of the corpus luteum). The increase in Cox-2 mRNA concentrations also suggest that exogenous PGF2alpha generates additional intraluteal PGF2alpha – providing consistent evidence for the concept that an intraluteal autocrine loop (a signalling system where a cell targets itself) amplifies the luteolytic effect of uterine PGF2alpha in mares.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, 1656 Linden Drive, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Aromatase / genetics
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Corpus Luteum / chemistry
- Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
- Dinoprost / pharmacology
- Female
- Horses
- Luteolysis / drug effects
- Luteolysis / genetics
- Ovulation
- Phosphoproteins / genetics
- Progesterone / blood
- RNA, Messenger / analysis
- Receptors, LH / genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ishak GM, Bashir ST, Dutra GA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Cavinder CA, Feugang JM, Gastal EL. In vivo antral follicle wall biopsy: a new research technique to study ovarian function at the cellular and molecular levels. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018 Jul 28;16(1):71.
- Atli MO, Bender RW, Mehta V, Bastos MR, Luo W, Vezina CM, Wiltbank MC. Patterns of gene expression in the bovine corpus luteum following repeated intrauterine infusions of low doses of prostaglandin F2alpha. Biol Reprod 2012 Apr;86(4):130.
