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BMC veterinary research2024; 20(1); 46; doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03889-0

Intrauterine devices influence prostaglandin secretion by equine uterus: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Abstract: Intrauterine devices (IUD) are used in the veterinary practice as the non-pharmacological method of oestrus suppression in mares. When placed in the uterus, IUD create a physical contact with the endometrium that mimics the presence of an equine embryo. However, the mechanism of their action has not been fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of mechanical stimulation of IUD on mare`s endometrium in both in vitro and in vivo study. For this purpose, we demonstrated the effect of IUD on prostaglandin (PG) F and PGE secretion, and mRNA transcription of genes involved in PG synthesis pathway in equine endometrial cells in vitro. In the in vivo study, we aimed to compare short-term effect of IUD inserted on day 0 (oestrus) with day 5-6 post-ovulation (the specific time when embryo reaches uterus after fertilization) on PG secretion from equine endometrium. To determine the long-term effect on PG synthase mRNA transcription, a single endometrial biopsy was taken only once within each group of mares at certain time points of the estrous cycle from mares placement with IUD on days 0 or 5-6 post-ovualtion. Results: We showed for the first time that the incubation of the endometrial cells with the presence of IUD altered the pattern of PG synthase mRNA transcription in equine epithelial and stromal endometrial cells. In vivo, in mares placement with IUD on day 0, PGE concentrations in blood plasma were upregulated between 1 and 6, and at 10 h after the IUD insertion, compared with the control mares (P < 0.05). Moreover, the decrease of PTGFS mRNA transcription on day 16- 18, associated with an elevation in PTGES mRNA transcription on day 20 -21 of the estrous cycle in endometrial biopsies collected from mares placement with IUD on days 5-6 suggest an antiluteolytic action of IUD during the estrous cycle. Conclusions: We conclude that the application of IUD may mimic the equine conceptus presence through the physical contact with the endometrium altering PG synthase transcription, and act as a potent modulator of endometrial PG secretion both in vitro and in vivo.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-02-03 PubMed ID: 38310284PubMed Central: 6400379DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03889-0Google 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.

This research explores how intrauterine devices (IUDs) in horses may suppress estrus, or the fertile period, by altering the secretion of certain substances and genetic activity in the uterus. The researchers conducted both in vitro (in a lab setting) and in vivo (in a living organism) studies.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to investigate how IUDs mechanically stimulate the mare’s endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and thus how they might suppress estrus by mimicking the presence of an embryo.
  • The researchers tested the influence of the IUDs on the secretion of substances called prostaglandins, which regulate inflammation and other bodily processes, and on the transcription of some genes involved in prostaglandin synthesis in equine endometrial cells grown in vitro.
  • The in vivo part of the experiment involved inserting IUDs in mares either at the start of estrus (day 0) or 5-6 days post-ovulation, when an embryo would typically reach the uterus after fertilization. The researchers then monitored the mares’ prostaglandin secretion patterns.
  • To determine any long-term effects on genetic activity related to prostaglandin synthesis, the researchers took endometrial biopsies from mares with IUDs inserted on days 0 or 5-6 post-ovulation at different points of the estrous cycle.

Research Findings

  • The researchers found that introducing an IUD altered the pattern of gene transcription relating to prostaglandin synthesis in both epithelial and stromal endometrial cells, providing the first evidence of this effect. Inside the body, mares that had an IUD inserted at the beginning of their estrus cycle showed increased prostaglandin concentrations in their blood plasma 1 to 6 hours after the insertion.
  • Furthermore, they noticed a decrease in the transcription of a certain gene (PTGFS) around day 16-18 of the estrous cycle, and an increase in the transcription of another gene (PTGES) around day 20-21 in mares with IUDs inserted 5-6 days post-ovulation. This pattern suggests that the IUDs could be preventing the breakdown of the corpora lutea, structures that form after ovulation, thus extending the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and suppressing estrus.

Conclusion

  • Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the use of IUDs can mimic the presence of an embryonic conceptus (the embryo and associated membranes) in the uterus through physical contact with the endometrium. This resemblance may modify prostaglandin synthase transcription and act as a powerful regulator of endometrial prostaglandin secretion, both in vitro and in vivo.

Cite This Article

APA
Piotrowska-Tomala KK, Jonczyk AW, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Hojo T, Żebrowska E, Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski DJ. (2024). Intrauterine devices influence prostaglandin secretion by equine uterus: in vitro and in vivo studies. BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03889-0

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 46

Researcher Affiliations

Piotrowska-Tomala, Katarzyna Karolina
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland.
Jonczyk, Agnieszka Walentyna
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland.
Szóstek-Mioduchowska, Anna
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland.
Hojo, Takuo
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland.
  • Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 2421 Suya, Koshi, Kumamoto, 861-1192, Japan.
Żebrowska, Ewelina
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland.
Katila, Terttu
  • Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Paroninkuja 20, 04920, Saarentaus, Finland.
Ferreira-Dias, Graca
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, University of Lisbon, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
Skarzynski, Dariusz Jan
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10 St., 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland. d.skarzynski@pan.olsztyn.pl.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses / genetics
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / genetics
  • Prostaglandins F / metabolism
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Intrauterine Devices / veterinary
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Grant Funding

  • 2011/02/A/NZ5/00338 / National Science Center in Poland

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