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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Reprod Sci / Characterization of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP2, EP4) in...
Animal reproduction science2013; 142(1-2); 35-41; doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.009

Characterization of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP2, EP4) in the horse oviduct.

Abstract: Biological effects of prostaglandin E2 are mediated via one of four receptors designated EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 which are encoded by separate genes. In general, EP1 and EP3 induce smooth muscle contraction whereas EP2 and EP4 induce smooth muscle relaxation. The objective of the current study was to characterize the expression of the genes for PGE2 receptors (EP2 and EP4) in the horse oviduct based upon immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Oviductal tissue was collected from mares at estrus (n=5), at 5 days post-ovulation (n=4), and from prepubertal mares (n=5). Isthmic and ampullar regions of the oviduct were fixed for IHC or preserved for RNA isolation. Prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 were strongly expressed by the luminal epithelium of both the isthmic and ampullar regions of the horse oviduct with a lesser immuno-expression noted within the smooth muscle in both regions of the oviduct. Based upon qPCR, relative amounts of EP2 or EP4 mRNA did not differ across estrous cycle stage or from prepubertal mares. However, across region and estrous cycle stage, relative amount of EP2 was greater (P<0.05) than EP4, and relative amount of EP2 mRNA was greater (P<0.001) in the ampullar compared with the isthmic oviduct. The relative roles of these receptors in regulating oviduct function in the mare remains to be determined.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-08-12 PubMed ID: 24035156DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The researchers investigated the presence of two types of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP2 and EP4) in the horse oviduct tissue during different stages of the estrous cycle, using immunohistochemistry and PCR techniques.

Research Objective

  • The main goal of the study was to describe how the genes for prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 are expressed in the horse oviduct. To investigate this, the researchers used immunohistochemistry (to visualize the receptors) and quantitative PCR (to measure the amount of receptor mRNA) techniques.

Methodology

  • Oviductal tissue was gathered from female horses during different stages of their estrous cycle – hormonal fluctuations that prepare a female horse for potential pregnancy – and also from prepubertal mares, who have not yet begun to produce eggs.
  • Two sections of the oviduct, the isthmus and ampulla, were selected and prepared for both immunohistochemistry and RNA extraction.

Results

  • The study found that both EP2 and EP4 prostaglandin E2 receptors were strongly expressed by the tissue lining (epithelium) of both the isthmus and ampulla regions of the horse oviduct. There was a lesser level of receptor expression detected in the smooth muscle found in both these oviduct regions.
  • According to the quantitative PCR results, the amount of EP2 or EP4 receptor mRNA (the molecule that acts as a template for protein production) did not vary across the different stages of the estrous cycle or between the pre-pubertal mares.
  • However, a significant difference was observed in the quantities of EP2 receptor compared to EP4, with more EP2 being detected. There was also a greater amount of EP2 mRNA in the ampulla when compared with the isthmus oviduct.

Conclusion

  • The results demonstrate that there is differential expression of the two receptors along the oviduct and regardless of the stage of the estrous cycle, indicating that they may play different roles. However, the precise function of these receptors in regulating function of the horse oviduct remains to be determined.

Cite This Article

APA
Ball BA, Scoggin KE, Troedsson MH, Squires EL. (2013). Characterization of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP2, EP4) in the horse oviduct. Anim Reprod Sci, 142(1-2), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.009

Publication

Animal reproduction science
ISSN: 1873-2232
NlmUniqueID: 7807205
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 142
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 35-41
PII: S0378-4320(13)00225-X

Researcher Affiliations

Ball, B A
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA. Electronic address: b.a.ball@uky.edu.
Scoggin, K E
    Troedsson, M H T
      Squires, E L

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Estrous Cycle / physiology
        • Fallopian Tubes / physiology
        • Female
        • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
        • Horses / physiology
        • RNA, Messenger / genetics
        • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
        • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / genetics
        • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / metabolism
        • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / genetics
        • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / metabolism

        Citations

        This article has been cited 6 times.
        1. Lawson EF, Grupen CG, Baker MA, Aitken RJ, Swegen A, Pollard CL, Gibb Z. Conception and early pregnancy in the mare: lipidomics the unexplored frontier. Reprod Fertil 2022 Jan 1;3(1):R1-R18.
          doi: 10.1530/RAF-21-0104pubmed: 35350651google scholar: lookup
        2. El-Sheikh Ali H, Loux SC, Kennedy L, Scoggin KE, Dini P, Fedorka CE, Kalbfleisch TS, Esteller-Vico A, Horohov DW, Erol E, Carter CN, Smith JL, Ball BA. Transcriptomic analysis of equine chorioallantois reveals immune networks and molecular mechanisms involved in nocardioform placentitis. Vet Res 2021 Jul 8;52(1):103.
          doi: 10.1186/s13567-021-00972-4pubmed: 34238364google scholar: lookup
        3. Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W. Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) in the Oviduct: Roles in Fertilization and Early Embryo Development. Endocrinology 2021 Apr 1;162(4).
          doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqab025pubmed: 33539521google scholar: lookup
        4. Mançanares ACF, Cabezas J, Manríquez J, de Oliveira VC, Wong Alvaro YS, Rojas D, Navarrete Aguirre F, Rodriguez-Alvarez L, Castro FO. Edition of Prostaglandin E2 Receptors EP2 and EP4 by CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Equine Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 23;10(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10061078pubmed: 32585798google scholar: lookup
        5. Scoggin KE, Adlan F, Fedorka CE, Rakha SI, Stout TAE, Troedsson MHT, Ali HE. Gestation-Stage Related Changes in the IGF System Components in the Equine Placenta. Biomolecules 2025 Aug 6;15(8).
          doi: 10.3390/biom15081135pubmed: 40867581google scholar: lookup
        6. Marchio SP, El-Sheikh Ali H, Scott MA, Barbosa Fernandes C, Scoggin KE, Troedsson M, Boakari Y. Decoding the amniotic membrane transcriptome during equine ascending placentitis. Sci Rep 2025 Aug 21;15(1):30714.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-16671-5pubmed: 40841585google scholar: lookup
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