The oxytocin-prostaglandins pathways in the horse (Equus caballus) placenta during pregnancy, physiological parturition, and parturition with fetal membrane retention.
Abstract: Despite their importance in mammalian reproduction, substances in the oxytocin-prostaglandins pathways have not been investigated in the horse placenta during most of pregnancy and parturition. Therefore, we quantified placental content of oxytocin (OXT), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), and prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha during days 90-240 of pregnancy (PREG), physiological parturition (PHYS), and parturition with fetal membrane retention (FMR) in heavy draft horses (PREG = 13, PHYS = 11, FMR = 10). We also quantified OXTR and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS2) mRNA expression and determined the immunolocalization of OXT, OXTR, and PTGS2. For relative quantification of OXT and OXTR, we used western blotting with densitometry. To quantify the prostaglandins, we used enzyme immunoassays. For relative quantification of OXTR and PTGS2, we used RT-qPCR. For immunolocalization of OXT, OXTR, and PTGS2, we used immunohistochemistry. We found that OXT was present in cells of the allantochorion and endometrium in all groups. PTGS2 expression in the allantochorion was 14.7-fold lower in FMR than in PHYS (p = 0.007). These results suggest that OXT is synthesized in the horse placenta. As PTGS2 synthesis is induced by inflammation, they also suggest that FMR in heavy draft horses may be associated with dysregulation of inflammatory processes.
Publication Date: 2020-02-07 PubMed ID: 32034259PubMed Central: PMC7005845DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59085-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article examines the presence and role of oxytocin and prostaglandins in horse pregnancies and specifically, their effect on parturition. The study found that oxytocin is synthesized in the horse placenta and differentiation in prostaglandin synthesis might be associated with problematic retention of fetal membrane in certain breeds of horses.
Overview of Research
- The study aimed to investigate the role of oxytocin and prostaglandins pathways in the placenta of horses during different stages of pregnancy and parturition. Special focus was given to horses that experienced fetal membrane retention (FMR) during parturition.
- Despite the significance of these substances in mammalian reproduction, their role in equine reproduction has not been thoroughly explored.
- The research was conducted on heavy draft horses, with subject groups distinguished according to different stages of pregnancy (days 90 to 240), physiological parturition, and parturition with FMR.
Methodology
- The placental content of oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, and prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha was quantified in different stages of the horse’s gestation.
- The same compounds, along with prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS2), were also studied for their mRNA expression.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the immunolocation of the discussed substances.
- The researchers used western blotting with densitometry for relative quantification of oxytocin and its receptor. Enzyme immunoassays were used to quantify the prostaglandins. For relative quantification of oxytocin receptor and PTGS2, the researchers employed RT-qPCR.
Findings
- The study found oxytocin was present in the cells of the allantochorion and endometrium in all groups, suggesting that the hormone is synthesized in the horse placenta.
- The expression of PTGS2 in allantochorion was significantly lower in the group with FMR, suggesting potential dysregulation of inflammatory processes in cases of FMR.
- These findings imply a crucial role of oxytocin and prostaglandins in equine pregnancy, parturition, and complications, such as FMR.
Cite This Article
APA
Rapacz-Leonard A, Leonard M, Chmielewska-Krzesińska M, Siemieniuch M, Janowski TE.
(2020).
The oxytocin-prostaglandins pathways in the horse (Equus caballus) placenta during pregnancy, physiological parturition, and parturition with fetal membrane retention.
Sci Rep, 10(1), 2089.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59085-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland. anna.rapacz@uwm.edu.pl.
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Research Station in Popielno/Department of Immunology and Pathology of Reproduction, Polish Academy of Science, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Extraembryonic Membranes / metabolism
- Extraembryonic Membranes / physiology
- Female
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Metabolic Networks and Pathways
- Oxytocin / metabolism
- Oxytocin / physiology
- Parturition / metabolism
- Parturition / physiology
- Placenta / metabolism
- Placenta / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / metabolism
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
- Prostaglandins / metabolism
- Prostaglandins / physiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Marcet-Rius M, Bienboire-Frosini C, Lezama-García K, Domínguez-Oliva A, Olmos-Hernández A, Mora-Medina P, Hernández-Ávalos I, Casas-Alvarado A, Gazzano A. Clinical Experiences and Mechanism of Action with the Use of Oxytocin Injection at Parturition in Domestic Animals: Effect on the Myometrium and Fetuses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 20;13(4).
- Diel de Amorim M, Klein C, Foster R, Dong L, Lopez-Rodriguez MF, Card C. Expression of Oxytocin/Neurophysin I and Oxytocinase in the Equine Conceptus from Day 8 to Day 21 Post-Ovulation.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 22;12(7).
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