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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Characterization of Nuclear Progesterone Receptor Isoforms i...
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 660177; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.660177

Characterization of Nuclear Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in the Term Equine Placenta.

Abstract: In equine parturition, the role of progestins along with the nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR) signaling pathway in the placenta is not completely clarified. The progestins play an integral role in maintaining myometrial quiescence during the late stage of pregnancy via acting on nPR isoforms (PRA and PRB; PRB is more active than PRA). The current study aimed to determine the PRA and PRB expressions in the term equine placenta at the gene and protein levels. Six term equine placentas were used in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA expression for PRA and PRB. The protein expression was detected using the Western Blot technique. The results revealed that the mRNA and protein expressions for PRA were significantly higher ( < 0.0001) in the term equine placental tissue compared to the mRNA and protein expressions of PRB. These results demonstrated that nPRs are detectable in the term placenta of mares and PRA is the dominant isoform expressed. The present findings raised the possibility that the PRA plays an important role in the parturition process and expulsion of the placenta in mares.
Copyright © 2021 Nagy, Sathe, Atta, Hammam and Hsu.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-01 PubMed ID: 33869328PubMed Central: PMC8047131DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.660177Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research paper investigates the presence and role of two progesterone receptor isoforms, PRA and PRB, in the placenta of horses during birth. The study found that the PRA isoform is more prevalent, suggesting it may be influential in the birthing outcomes of horses.

Objective of the Research

  • This research aims to enhance understanding of horse birthing, specifically concerning the role of hormones and related receptors in the process. It focuses on the nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR), particularly its two isoforms PRA and PRB.
  • Considering that progestins, hormones involved in pregnancy and embryogenesis, are integral in maintaining myometrial quiescence (preventing premature uterine contractions) during the latter stages of pregnancy, the research was driven to explore the signaling pathway via nPRs in equine placentas.
  • The specific objective was to examine the presence and relative expressions of PRA and PRB in horse placenta at full term.

Methodology

  • The researchers used six term equine placentas for the study.
  • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodology was used to quantify the mRNA expression of PRA and PRB, serving as indicators of gene activity.
  • The researchers employed the Western Blot technique to detect protein expression of the two isoforms.

Results

  • The study found that both PRA and PRB mRNA and proteins were present in horse placenta at full term.
  • However, both the mRNA and protein expressions for PRA were significantly higher compared to PRB.
  • Given these results, it appears PRA is the dominant isoform expressed in the term placenta of horses.

Implications

  • The study’s findings suggest that the PRA isoform of nPR may play a more significant role in horse parturition (the process of giving birth) and expulsion of the placenta.
  • With more understanding of the hormonal processes at work, there may be potential to better manage or intervene in problematic equine births, although more research is required.

Cite This Article

APA
Nagy AM, Sathe SR, Atta AH, Hammam AMM, Hsu WH. (2021). Characterization of Nuclear Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in the Term Equine Placenta. Front Vet Sci, 8, 660177. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.660177

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 660177
PII: 660177

Researcher Affiliations

Nagy, Ahmed M
  • Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
Sathe, Swanand R
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.
Atta, Attia H
  • Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Hammam, Abdel Mohsen M
  • Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
Hsu, Walter H
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
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