Local embryo-mediated changes in endometrial gene expression during embryo mobility in mares.
Abstract: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) are involved in equine embryo mobility throughout the uterus on Days 11-15 (ovulation = Day 0). On a day (Day 12) of maximal embryo mobility in pregnant mares (n = 13) and before luteolysis in nonbred mares (n = 10), gene expressions were compared between the uterine horns that did and did not contain the mobile embryo and between pregnant and nonbred mares. A cytobrush was used to collect an endometrial sample from the middle of each uterine horn. In nonbred mares, there was no difference for any of the considered gene expressions between the uterine horn ipsilateral and contralateral to the CL or for side (left vs right). For endometrial estrogen receptors, ESR1 was lower (P < 0.03) and ESR2 was greater (P < 0.04) for pregnant than nonbred mares. The mRNA abundance for PGE2 synthase (PTGES) was greater (P < 0.05) in the horn with (1.40 ± 0.10) than without (0.89 ± 0.10) the embryo and was greater (P < 0.05) in the horn with the embryo than in the combined horns of nonbred mares (1.06 ± 0.10). The hypothesis that the embryo locally upregulates PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis in the endometrium adjacent to the embryo in the pregnant group but not in the uterine horns of the nonbred group, was partially supported; only PGE2 synthase (PTGES) was locally upregulated in the endometrium adjacent to the mobile embryo.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-01-29 PubMed ID: 35131676DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.032Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates how the local presence of an equine embryo alters gene expressions in the endometrium, focusing on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) involvement in equine embryo mobility within the uterus in mares.
Study Design and Sampling
- The researchers collected samples from 13 pregnant and 10 nonbred mares on Day 12, chosen based on its significance as a day of maximal embryo mobility in pregnant mares.
- Endometrial samples were obtained using a cytobrush to gently scrape the middle of each uterine horn.
- The study compared the gene expressions in the uterine horns that did and did not contain the moving embryo, and the gene expressions between pregnant and nonbred mares.
Findings in Nonbred Mares
- Upon analysis, there were no differences in gene expressions within the uterine horn ipsilateral (same side) and contralateral (opposite side) to the Corpus Luteum (CL) or for side (left vs right).
Findings Related to Endometrial Estrogen Receptors
- For endometrial estrogen receptors, ESR1 was found to be lower in pregnant mares, whereas ESR2 was higher in the same group, both with statistical significance.
Role of PGE2 Synthase (PTGES)
- The mRNA (messenger RNA) abundance for PGE2 synthase (PTGES), important for PGE2 synthesis and thus for embryo mobility, was found to be greater in the uterine horn containing the embryo than in the one without the embryo.
- Also, the unborn group had less PTGES in their uterine horns compared to the horn containing the embryo in pregnant mares.
Confirmation of Hypothesis
- The researchers’ original hypothesis was that the local presence of an embryo would result in an upregulation of PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis in the adjacent endometrium. Essentially, the embryo was thought to directly influence its environment to assist its mobility.
- This hypothesis was only partially confirmed. While PGE2 synthase was locally upregulated adjacent to the mobile embryo, there was no mention of a similar effect for PGF2α synthesis.
Cite This Article
APA
Castro T, Jacob JC, Domingues RR, Ginther OJ.
(2022).
Local embryo-mediated changes in endometrial gene expression during embryo mobility in mares.
Theriogenology, 182, 78-84.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.032 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Reprodução e Avaliação Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil; Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, WI, 53528, USA; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Departamento de Reprodução e Avaliação Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil.
- Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, WI, 53528, USA; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, WI, 53528, USA; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA. Electronic address: oj.ginther@wisc.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dinoprost / metabolism
- Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
- Endometrium / metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Horses / genetics
- Luteolysis
- Pregnancy
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