Expression of inhibin/activin subunits in the equine uteri during the early pregnancy.
Abstract: The establishment of equine pregnancy is a unique and long process during which a series of physical and possibly biochemical interactions are required between the conceptus and uterus. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of inhibin/activin subunits in the uterus during early pregnancy. The uteri from four adult mares on cyclic day 13 or pregnancy day 25 were obtained. Immunohistochemical experiments suggested that inhibin/activin subunits were immunolocalized in the luminal and glandular epithelium on pregnancy day 25. In addition, the inhibin α and inhibin/activin βB subunits were not detected, and inhibin/activin βA subunit was detected, in the luminal and glandular epithelium on cyclic day 13. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting results for the inhibin/activin subunits suggested a significant increase in the expression of inhibin/activin subunit βB and a significant decrease in the expression of inhibin/activin subunit βA on pregnancy day 25 compared with those on cyclic day 13. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays suggested a significant decrease in the concentration of activin A in endometrium extracts from cyclic day 13 to pregnancy day 25. These results suggest that inhibins or activins synthesized in the uterus, as endocrine factors and necessary nutriments, have different expression patterns and may play different, important roles during early embryonic development of the equine.
© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2012-10-09 PubMed ID: 23043254DOI: 10.1111/rda.12091Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the differing patterns of inhibin/activin subunits in horse uteri during early pregnancy. It was found that these desirable endocrine factors and nutriments have various expression patterns that likely play essential roles in initial equine embryonic development.
Research Method
- The researchers obtained uteri from four adult horses on either cyclic day 13 or pregnancy day 25.
- They utilized techniques such as immunohistochemical experiments to study the expression pattern of inhibin/activin subunits during early pregnancy.
Findings
- The experiments revealed the inhibin/activin subunits were found in the luminal and glandular epithelium on pregnancy day 25.
- On cyclic day 13, they noted the absence of the inhibin α and inhibin/activin βB subunits. However, the inhibin/activin βA subunit was present in the luminal and glandular epithelium.
Further Analysis
- Additional investigation, incorporating real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, indicate a significant increase in the expression of inhibin/activin subunit βB but reduction in the expression of inhibin/activin subunit βA on pregnancy day 25 compared to cyclic day 13.
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suggested a significant decrease in activin A concentration in endometrium extracts from cyclic day 13 to pregnancy day 25.
Conclusion
- The results show varying expression patterns of inhibin/activin subunits in the uterus during early horse pregnancy.
- The research infers that inhibins or activins, given their roles as endocrine factors and nutriments, might play different, critical roles during the early stages of equine embryonic development.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhang H, Nagaoka K, Imakawa K, Nambo Y, Watanabe G, Taya K, Weng Q.
(2012).
Expression of inhibin/activin subunits in the equine uteri during the early pregnancy.
Reprod Domest Anim, 48(3), 423-428.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12091 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
MeSH Terms
- Activins / chemistry
- Activins / genetics
- Activins / metabolism
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Inhibins / chemistry
- Inhibins / genetics
- Inhibins / metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal
- Protein Subunits / genetics
- Protein Subunits / metabolism
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Uterus / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Dhakal P, Tsunoda N, Nambo Y, Taniyama H, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Taya K. Circulating activin A during equine gestation and immunolocalization of its receptors system in utero-placental tissues and fetal gonads. J Equine Sci 2021 Jun;32(2):39-48.
- Kimura Y, Sasaki M, Watanabe K, Dhakal P, Sato F, Taya K, Nambo Y. Expression of activin receptors in the equine uteroplacental tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis. J Equine Sci 2018;29(2):33-37.
- Refaat B. Role of activins in embryo implantation and diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014 Nov 25;12:116.
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