Global gene expression in the bovine corpus luteum is altered after stimulatory and superovulatory treatments

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana A. Fátima ◽  
Pietro S. Baruselli ◽  
Lindsay U. Gimenes ◽  
Mario Binelli ◽  
Francisco P. Rennó ◽  
...  

Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) has been widely used in superovulation and artificial insemination programmes and usually promotes an increase in corpus luteum (CL) volume and stimulates progesterone production. Therefore, to identify eCG-regulated genes in the bovine CL, the transcriptome was evaluated by microarray analysis and the expression of selected genes was validated by qPCR and western blot. Eighteen Nelore crossbred cows were divided into control (n = 5), stimulated (n = 6) and superovulated groups (n = 7). Ovulation was synchronised using a progesterone device-based protocol. Stimulated animals received 400 IU of eCG at device removal and superovulated animals received 2000 IU of eCG 4 days prior. Corpora lutea were collected 7 days after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone administration. Overall, 242 transcripts were upregulated and 111 transcripts were downregulated in stimulated cows (P ≤ 0.05) and 111 were upregulated and 113 downregulated in superovulated cows compared to the control animals (1.5-fold, P ≤ 0.05). Among the differentially expressed genes, many were involved in lipid biosynthesis and progesterone production, such as PPARG, STAR, prolactin receptors and follistatin. In conclusion, eCG modulates gene expression differently depending on the treatment, i.e. stimulatory or superovulatory. Our data contribute to the understanding of the pathways involved in increased progesterone levels observed after eCG treatment.

1972 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-384
Author(s):  
H. Brandau ◽  
L. Brandau ◽  
G. Mutzke

ABSTRACT In the bovine corpora lutea periodical activities of the Δ53β-, 3β-, 17β-and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (OHSDH) as well as activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate- and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured quantitatively and the alterations throughout the different stages of the cycle were studied. After homogenization of the tissue and fractionate centrifugation the enzyme activities were determined by a standardized optical method. The activities of the Δ53β-, and 3β- and 17β-OHSDH increase slowly during the first 7 days of the cycle, the maximum is reached abruptly on the 12th to 13th day of the cycle. After a striking reduction the activities decline continually to the 19th to 21st day reaching the values detected at the beginning of the cycle. The 20β-OHSDH increases slowly to the maximum on the 15th day of the cycle. Activities of the 3α-OHSDH were obtained only inconsistently. The behaviour of the activities of G6PDH was nearly identical with that of the 3β-OHSDH, while the GAPDH shows only little fluctuations of its activities. The obtained enzyme activity patterns of the maturating and high functional corpus luteum correspond to the well-known data of the biosynthetic function of the bovine corpus luteum. The changes of the amounts of progesterone and 20β-progesterol agree with the course of the activities of the 3β- resp. 20β-OHSDH.


1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 69-69
Author(s):  
AJ Holt ◽  
RG Rodway ◽  
JBC Findlay ◽  
HS Sands ◽  
DN Batchelder

The role of β-carotene in the fertility of ruminant animals has long been acknowledged (Friesecke, 1978). Initially this was thought to be due to its action as a vitamin A precursor but recently β-carotene itself has been considered responsible for improving reproductive performance (Hurley & Doane, 1989). The mechanism by which β-carotcne acts is unclear, but as its concentration in the corpus luteum was typically found to be 70μg per gram of tissue, its biological action is probably exerted in this area.β-Carotene has been studied in the bovine corpus luteum using Raman spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gel filtration chromatography. The structure of β-carotene produces a characteristic Raman spectrum and by utilising an imaging technique, photographs of isolated luteal cells were obtained indicating the regions of β-carotene within them. Differential centrifugation was used to obtain pure subcellular fractions of luteal cells.


1982 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. S. Tan ◽  
R. Tweedale ◽  
J. S. G. Biggs

The effects of oxytocin on dispersed luteal cells from human corpora lutea of the menstrual cycle were studied. Oxytocin at a concentration of 4 mi.u./ml produced a slight increase in basal progesterone production. However, higher oxytocin concentrations (400 and 800 mi.u./ml) markedly inhibited both basal and human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced progesterone production. These data provide evidence for an effect of oxytocin on the human corpus luteum. In view of the inhibitory action of oxytocin, increased secretion of this hormone may be important in the demise of the corpus luteum at the end of the menstrual cycle.


Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 905-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Tsai ◽  
K Kot ◽  
OJ Ginther ◽  
MC Wiltbank

There is growing evidence to indicate that PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis involves altered gene expression in the corpus luteum. Concentrations of mRNA encoding nine different gene products were quantified at three time points from corpora lutea in situ. Serial luteal biopsies (2.1-5.5 mg per biopsy) were collected using an ultrasound-guided transvaginal method and mRNA concentrations were quantified with standard curve quantitative competitive RT-PCR. In the first experiment, three luteal biopsies were collected from three heifers and analysed in multiple assays to evaluate the repeatability of the methods. Concentrations of mRNA for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), PGF(2alpha) receptor (FP receptor) and LH receptor were found to be highly repeatable between assays, between multiple biopsies and between animals (coefficients of variation 1.3-17.3%). In the second experiment, heifers on days 9-11 after ovulation were assigned randomly to receive saline only (n = 6), saline with biopsies taken at t = 0, 0.5 and 4.0 h after injection (n = 6), PGF(2alpha) only (n = 6) or PGF(2alpha) with biopsies taken at t = 0, 0.5 and 4.0 h after treatment (n = 7). Biopsy alone did not change corpus luteum diameter, serum progesterone concentrations or days to next ovulation within the saline- or PGF(2alpha)-treated groups. Concentrations of mRNA for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, FP receptor, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) and LH receptor were decreased at 4.0 h after PGF(2alpha) injection. In contrast, PGF(2alpha) increased mRNA concentrations for prostaglandin G/H synthase-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and c-fos but the time course differed for induction of these mRNAs. Concentrations of mRNA for GAPDH did not change after PGF(2alpha) treatment. In conclusion, the techniques allowed analysis of multiple, specific mRNAs in an individual corpus luteum at multiple time points without altering subsequent luteal function. Use of these techniques confirmed that luteolysis involves both up- and downregulation of specific mRNA by PGF(2alpha).


1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Wallace ◽  
CJ Ashworth ◽  
RP Aitken ◽  
MA Cheyne

Induction of ovulation post partum is associated with a high incidence of prematurely regressing corpora lutea. However, inadequate luteal function is not the sole reason for pregnancy failure, because ewes with normal corpus luteum function and successful fertilization also fail to establish pregnancies. The effects of suckling status and the interval from post partum to rebreeding on corpus luteum and endometrial function were examined in vivo and in vitro. Ewes were weaned early or allowed to lactate, induced to ovulate using a progesterone-impregnated controlled internal drug release device and an intramuscular injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin, and inseminated (intrauterine) at either 21 or 35 days post partum (n = 10 per group). A further 10 standard ewes whose interval from parturition was in excess of 150 days were included for comparative purposes. On Day 10 after insemination the pregnancy rate was determined in four ewes from each of the post-partum groups and five standard ewes. These ewes were then ovariectomized and hysterectomized for studies in vitro. The incidence of premature luteal regression, as assessed by progesterone concentrations in peripheral blood was independent of the suckling stimulus but dependent on stage post partum (21 days post partum, 6 of 19 ewes; 35 days post partum, 0 of 19 ewes; P less than 0.05). Luteal function was normal in all standard ewes. Ovulation rate, corpus luteum weight, corpus luteum progesterone content and basal progesterone production in vitro were significantly less in 21-day than in 35-day post-partum ewes. Pregnancy rates as determined on Day 10 or at term were low in all post-partum groups (7 out of the 38 ewes inseminated) compared with standard ewes (8 of 10). Uterine function was assessed by culturing endometrial tissue from the tip and body of each uterine horn in the presence of [3H]leucine for 30 h at 37 degrees C. Incorporation of radiolabel into non-dialysable proteins synthesized and secreted by the endometrium in vitro was independent of uterine horn location and suckling status but was significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in media from 21-day than from 35-day post-partum ewes. Irrespective of treatment group, incorporation of radiolabel was positively correlated with mean plasma progesterone concentrations on Days 2-10 after insemination and with basal progesterone production in vitro. Secreted proteins were detected by two-dimensional-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and fluorography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


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