Effects of oxytocin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin secretion and gene expression in equine endometrial explant cultures.
Abstract: Increased secretion of prostaglandin F(2)α (PGF(2)α) within the uterus because of uterine inflammation can cause luteolysis and result in early embryonic loss. Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to influence PG production in many species, although the effects on the mare remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine fatty acid uptake in equine endometrial explants and evaluate their influence on PG secretion and expression of enzymes involved in PG synthesis in vitro. Equine endometrial explants were treated with 100 μM arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid and then challenged with oxytocin (250 nM) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/mL). Production of PGF(2)α and PG E(2) (PGE(2)) was measured, and mRNA expression of enzymes involved in PG synthesis was determined with quantitative real-time PCR. Media concentrations of PGF(2)α and PGE(2) were higher (P < 0.0001) from endometrial explants challenged with oxytocin or LPS compared with controls despite which fatty acid was added. Only DHA lowered (P < 0.0001) media concentrations of PGF(2)α and PGE(2) from explants. Endometrial explants stimulated with oxytocin had increased expression of PG-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1; P < 0.02), PG-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2; P < 0.001), PG F(2)α synthase (PGFS; P < 0.01), PG E(2) synthase (PGES; P < 0.01), and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2); P < 0.005) compared with controls and regardless of fatty acid treatment; whereas stimulation with LPS increased expression of PTGS2 (P < 0.004), PGFS (P < 0.03), PGES (P < 0.01), and PLA(2) (P < 0.01) compared with controls and regardless of fatty acid treatment. Treatment with PUFAs, specifically DHA, can influence PG secretion in vitro through mechanisms other than enzyme expression.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-09-29 PubMed ID: 23063410DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2012.09.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research article studies how treating equine endometrial explants with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affects prostaglandin secretion and gene expression, particularly when challenged with oxytocin or lipopolysaccharide. The study specifically explores how this can reduce the risk of luteolysis and early embryonic loss caused by uterine inflammation.
Experiments and Findings
- The researchers used equine endometrial explants (tissues) and treated them with different varieties of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid.
- These treated tissues were then exposed to oxytocin (a hormone that can induce labor) or a lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a component of the outer membrane of certain bacteria).
- The production of two types of prostaglandin, PGF(2)α and PG E(2), was measured. Prostaglandins are a group of lipids that have hormone-like effects and play a role in inflammation, among other things.
Results of the Experiment
- The results showed that media concentrations of PGF(2)α and PG E(2) were generally higher from endometrial explants challenged with oxytocin or LPS, no matter the type of fatty acid added.
- However, it was found that only docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lowered the media concentrations of both PGF(2)α and PG E(2) from the explants.
- Stimulation of the explants with oxytocin resulted in an increased expression of a range of enzymes involved with PG synthesis, including PG-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1), PG-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), PG F(2)α synthase (PGFS), PG E(2) synthase (PGES), and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)).
- Stimulation with LPS also saw an increase in the aforementioned enzymes expression, marginally more in comparison to the controls.
- It’s key to note that these results occurred regardless of which fatty acid was used. This indicates that it is the interaction of the PUFAs, specifically DHA, with the other chemicals (oxytocin, LPS) that influences the PG secretion.
Implications of Research
- This research helps to further understand the relationship between PUFAs and prostaglandin secretion—particularly in the equine endometrial explants where supplementation with PUFAs such as DHA can influence PG secretion in vitro.
- Understanding this relationship can potentially help reduce the risk of luteolysis and early embryonic loss triggered by uterine inflammation in animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Penrod LV, Allen RE, Turner JL, Limesand SW, Arns MJ.
(2012).
Effects of oxytocin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin secretion and gene expression in equine endometrial explant cultures.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 44(1), 46-55.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2012.09.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. penrodl@email.arizona.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cyclooxygenase 1 / genetics
- Cyclooxygenase 1 / metabolism
- Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
- Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
- Dinoprost / genetics
- Dinoprost / metabolism
- Dinoprostone / genetics
- Dinoprostone / metabolism
- Endometrium / drug effects
- Endometrium / enzymology
- Endometrium / metabolism
- Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
- Female
- Horses / metabolism
- In Vitro Techniques
- Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
- Oxytocin / pharmacology
- Phospholipases A2 / genetics
- Phospholipases A2 / metabolism
- Prostaglandins / genetics
- Prostaglandins / metabolism
- RNA, Messenger / chemistry
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Jana B, Całka J, Mówińska A. Noradrenaline and Adrenoreceptors Promote Prostaglandin F2α Generation in Lipopolysaccharide-Exposed Endometrial Epithelial Cells of Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jun 19;26(12).
- Monteiro de Barros MR, Davies-Morel MCG, Mur LAJ, Creevey CJ, Alison RH, Nash DM. Characterization of an Ex Vivo Equine Endometrial Tissue Culture Model Using Next-Generation RNA-Sequencing Technology. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 3;11(7).
- Valenzuela P, Teuber S, Manosalva C, Alarcón P, Figueroa CD, Ratto M, Burgos RA, Hidalgo MA. Functional expression of the free fatty acids receptor-1 and -4 (FFA1/GPR40 and FFA4/GPR120) in bovine endometrial cells. Vet Res Commun 2019 Aug;43(3):179-186.
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