Embryonic-endometrial interactions during early pregnancy in the cow

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.S. Robinson ◽  
G.E. Mann ◽  
G.E. Lamming ◽  
D.C. Wathes

AbstractIn the cow, the embryo during the first three weeks of pregnancy is free living in the uterine lumen and is dependent on the maternal glandular secretions for its nutritional support. If the environment is appropriate, the embryo will develop sufficiently to prevent luteolysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of factors involved in embryonic-endometrial interactions during early pregnancy. Uterine horn sections were collected from 17 pregnant (PREG), 9 inseminated but no embryo present and 10 uninseminated cyclic control cows on days 12, 14, 16 and 18 after natural oestrus. The latter two groups were combined to form a single non-pregnant (NP) group. Trophoblast sections were also collected from the day 14, 16 and 18 embryos. The mRNA for interferon tau (IFNτ), oxytocin receptor (OTR), oestrogen receptor a (ER), prostaglandin G/H synthase -2 (PGHS-2), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -I and IGF binding protein -1 (IGFBP-1) was determined by in situ hybridisation using 45 mer oligonucleotide probes end-labelled with35 S. The optical density (OD) readings were measured from the resulting autoradiographs. The expression of IFNτ mRNA in the trophodectoderm did not vary with embryo age. The expression of OTR mRNA in the luminal epithelium was first detectable on day 14 in 2 out of 5 NP cows and increased thereafter. Conversely, OTR mRNA was undetectable in all PREG cows except for one day 18 cow. In the NP cows, the first significant increase in ER mRNA concentrations in the luminal epithelium was observed on day 16. The pregnancy had no effect on ER mRNA concentrations in the luminal epithelium on days 12 and 14, but was significantly reduced on day 16 and was undetectable by day 18. On day 18, PGHS-2 mRNA was detectable in the luminal epithelium of all cows, but was unaffected by pregnancy status. The expression of IGF-I mRNA in the subepithelial stroma was maintained from days 12 to 18, but was reduced in the day 18 NP cows. IGFBP-1 mRNA concentrations in the luminal epithelium peaked on day 14 in both NP and PREG cows. Thereafter, concentrations declined in the NP group but were maintained in the PREG animals. In conclusion, the suppression of OTR mRNA expression by the embryo does not appear to require the prior suppression of ER mRNA. The continued expression of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 mRNA is likely to play an important role in the establishment of early pregnancy in the cow.

1999 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS Robinson ◽  
GE Mann ◽  
GE Lamming ◽  
DC Wathes

The expression of oxytocin receptor (OTR) in the uterine endometrium plays an important role in the initiation of luteolysis. During early pregnancy, the conceptus secretes interferon tau (IFN|gt) which inhibits OTR up-regulation and luteolysis. In this study, uterine horn cross sections were collected on day 16 from 15 pregnant cows (PREG), 9 uninseminated controls and 5 inseminated cows with no embryo present. The latter two groups had similar results and were combined to form a single non-pregnant (NP) group. The animals were given an oxytocin challenge shortly before tissue collection to assess prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) release through the measurement of the metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2alpha (PGFM). The mRNAs for OTR, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were localised by in situ hybridisation. The results were quantified by optical density (OD) measurements from autoradiographs using image analysis. OTR protein was measured by autoradiography with iodinated oxytocin antagonist and ER and PR protein was detected by immunocytochemistry. The release of PGFM after the oxytocin challenge was significantly higher in the 14 NP cows (187%+/-15%) compared with the PREG group (131%+/-11%) (P<0.01). Low concentrations of OTR mRNA were localised to the luminal epithelium (LE) in 6 out of the 14 NP cows, of which 2 also expressed OTR protein, while OTR mRNA and protein were undetectable in all the pregnant animals. These results indicated that the sampling time coincided with the onset of the luteolytic mechanism in the NP cows. On day 16 ER mRNA was detectable in both the LE and glands of both PREG and NP animals. There were no differences in either ER mRNA or protein between NP and PREG samples. PR mRNA was moderately expressed in the caruncular stroma, with lower levels in the dense caruncular-like stroma and glands. There were no differences between PREG and NP animals. The expression of PR mRNA and protein in the deep glands was variable between animals. These results suggested that, in cows, the presence of an embryo suppressed the expression of OTR, but had no effect on the expression of the transcriptionally regulated ER on day 16.


2000 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS Robinson ◽  
GE Mann ◽  
TS Gadd ◽  
GE Lamming ◽  
DC Wathes

The IGF system is expressed in the uterus during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy and is likely to play an important role in regulating the development of the embryo and uterus. The IGF peptides (IGF-I and -II) mediate their effects through the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R), while the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to -6) modulate their interaction with the receptor. In this study, the expression of the IGF system in the bovine uterus was determined throughout the oestrous cycle and on day 16 of pregnancy. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected from four cows over three cycles such that there were samples for every 2 days from day 0 (oestrus) to day 14 and then every day until day 21. To assess the effect of pregnancy, uterine horn cross-sections were collected on day 16 from 15 pregnant (PREG), five inseminated non-pregnant (INP) and nine uninseminated cyclic controls (CONT). The expression of mRNA for the IGFs, IGF-1R and IGFBP-1 to -5 was determined by in situ hybridisation and the results were quantified by measuring the optical density units from autoradiographs. The main region of IGF-I mRNA expression was the sub-epithelial stroma underlying the luminal epithelium. The expression of IGF-I mRNA was highest at oestrus and lowest during the early and late luteal phases. On day 16, IGF-I mRNA levels were low in all groups, with pregnancy having no effect on the IGF-I mRNA concentrations. The strongest expression of IGF-II mRNA was in the caruncular stroma, with pregnancy having no significant effect in this region. IGF-1R mRNA was also present in the caruncles and was strongly expressed in all epithelial cells both throughout the oestrous cycle and during early pregnancy. The expression of IGFBP-1 mRNA was confined to the luminal epithelium, with the strongest expression seen on day 14 of the cycle. On day 16 the expression of IGFBP-1 mRNA was higher in the PREG group compared with the CONT group. The expression of IGFBP-2 mRNA was localised to the sub-epithelial stroma with more INP than PREG cows showing detectable levels of IGFBP-2. The strongest expression of IGFBP-3 mRNA was in the caruncular stroma; expression in the endometrial stroma was similarly decreased during early pregnancy. IGFBP-5 mRNA was mainly expressed in the inner ring of myometrium and was not affected by pregnancy on day 16. In conclusion, these results show that many components of the uterine IGF system are differentially regulated during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy and suggest that modulation of the IGF system may influence uterine activity during this period.


2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany G. Harris ◽  
Howard D. Strickler ◽  
Herbert Yu ◽  
Michael N. Pollak ◽  
E. Scott Monrad ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
C K Hilleson-Gayne ◽  
J A Clapper

To further delineate the role of estradiol in the IGF system an experiment was conducted to determine the dosage of the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole, needed to decreases serum concentrations of estradiol-17β (E2) in maturing boars. A second experiment was conducted to determine if administration of anastrozole to growing boars decreased serum concentrations of E2 and affected components of the serum and anterior pituitary gland (AP) IGF system vs untreated boars and barrows. In Experiment 1, 12 crossbred boars (292 days, 158 kg) were administered either 0, 1 or 10 mg/day anastrozole (n=4/group) beginning on day 1. Blood samples were collected every 7–14 days. Mean serum concentrations of E2 were decreased (P < 0·05) in the 10 mg group vs the 0 and 1 mg groups by day 36; however, no difference (P > 0·05) existed between the 0 and 1 mg groups. In Experiment 2, 24 crossbred boars and 12 barrows (101 days, 44 kg) were stratified by litter to one of three treatment groups (n=12): boars administered 10 mg/day anastrozole, boars administered 0 mg/day, and barrows administered 0 mg/day. Blood samples were collected and pigs were weighed on day 0 and every 14 days thereafter, then killed on day 84 when blood and APs were collected. The 10 mg/day pigs were fed the anastrozole-amended diet beginning on day 1. Mean serum concentrations of E2 did not differ (P > 0·05) between the 10 mg/day pigs and 0 mg/day pigs on day 0; however, on day 15 through to 84 mean serum concentrations of E2 were greater (P < 0·05) in 0 mg/day pigs than in the 10 mg/day pigs. Mean percentage increase in serum concentrations of IGF-I was greater (P < 0·05) in untreated boars than anastrozole-treated boars and barrows from day 58 through to 84. Mean percentage of basal IGF-I increased (P < 0·05) from day 29 through to 84 in untreated boars. Mean relative amounts of AP IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and -5 were less (P < 0·01) in 10 mg/day pigs than in the 0 mg/day pigs, but each was greater (P < 0·01) than in barrows administered 0 mg/day. These results indicate anastrozole administered at a dosage of 10 mg/day suppresses serum concentrations of E2 in pigs. Administration of anastrozole to boars reduced the percentage increase in serum concentrations of IGF-I and relative amounts of AP IGFBP-2 and -5. These data further support a role for E2 in regulating components of the IGF system in pigs.


1998 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Murphy ◽  
L. M. Plunkett ◽  
B. J. Gertz ◽  
W. He ◽  
J. Wittreich ◽  
...  

The reversal of diet-induced negative nitrogen balance by GH suggests a possible therapeutic role for GH treatment in catabolic patients. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-period, cross-over study was designed to investigate whether MK-677, an orally active nonpeptide mimic of GH-releasing peptide, can reverse diet-induced protein catabolism. Eight healthy volunteers (ages 24–39 yr) were calorically restricted (18 kcal/kg·day) for two 14-day periods. During the last 7 days of each diet period, subjects received either oral MK-677 25 mg or placebo once daily. There was a 14- to 21-day washout interval between periods. During the first week of caloric restriction (i.e. diet alone), daily nitrogen losses were similar for both treatment groups (mean ± se; MK-677 group −2.67 ± 0.40 g/day vs. placebo group− 2.83 ± 0.26 g/day). During the second week (diet and study drug), mean daily nitrogen balance was 0.31 ± 0.21 g/day in the MK-677 treatment group compared with −1.48 ± 0.21 g/day in the placebo group (P &lt; 0.01). MK-677 improved nitrogen balance integrated over the 7 days of treatment; area under the curve day 8–14 nitrogen balance response was +2.69 ± 5.0 (se) for MK-677 and −8.97 ± 5.26 g·day for placebo (P &lt; 0.001). MK-677 produced a peak GH response of 55.9 ± 31.7 μg/L after single dose (day 1 of treatment) and 22.6 ± 9.3 μg/L after a week of dosing compared with placebo treatment peak GH values of approximately 9 (treatment day 1) and approximately 7 μg/L (treatment day 7). Following the initial 7-day caloric restriction, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) declined from 232 ± 25 to 186 ± 19 ng/mL in the MK-677 group and from 236 ± 19 to 174 ± 23 ng/mL in the placebo group. Mean IGF-I concentration increased significantly during MK-677 to 264 ± 31 ng/mL (mean for the last 5 days of treatment) compared with 188 ± 19 ng/mL with placebo (P &lt; 0.01). No significant difference in IGF binding protein-2 was found between the MK-677 and placebo treatments. However, the mean in IGF binding protein-3 for the last 5 days of MK-677 treatment was also significantly increased to 3273 ± 330 ng/mL (mean ± se) compared with placebo 2604 ± 253 ng/mL (P &lt; 0.01). Neither the serum cortisol nor the PRL response was significantly greater after 7 days of MK-677 dosing compared with 7 days of placebo. MK-677 (25 mg) was generally well tolerated and without clinically significant adverse experiences. In conclusion, MK-677 reverses diet-induced nitrogen wasting, suggesting that if these short-term anabolic effects are maintained in patients who are catabolic because of certain acute or chronic disease states, it may be useful in treating catabolic conditions.


2005 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Priego ◽  
Miriam Granado ◽  
Ana Isabel Martín ◽  
Asunción López-Calderón ◽  
María Angeles Villanúa

The aim of this study was to investigate whether glucocorticoid administration had a beneficial effect on serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and on IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in rats injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Adult male rats were injected with LPS or saline and pretreated with dexamethasone or saline. Dexamethasone administration decreased growth hormone (GH) receptor and IGF-I mRNA levels in the liver of control rats. LPS decreased GH receptor and IGF-I gene expression in the liver of saline-treated rats but not in the liver of dexamethasone-pretreated rats. In the kidney, GH receptor mRNA levels were not modified by dexamethasone or LPS treatment. However, LPS decreased renal IGF-I gene expression and dexamethasone pretreatment prevented this decrease. Serum concentrations of IGF-I were decreased by LPS, and dexamethasone pretreatment attenuated this effect. The gene expression of IGFBP-3 in the liver and kidney and its circulating levels were decreased by LPS. In control rats dexamethasone increased circulating IGFBP-3 and its gene expression in the liver, and decreased the proteolysis of this protein. Dexamethasone pretreatment attenuated the LPS-induced decrease in IGFBP-3 gene expression in the liver and prevented the LPS-induced decrease in IGFBP-3 gene expression in the kidney. Moreover, dexamethasone pretreatment attenuated the LPS-induced decrease in serum concentrations of IGFBP-3 and decreased the LPS-induced IGFBP-3 proteolysis in serum. In conclusion, dexamethasone pretreatment partially attenuates the inhibitory effect of LPS on serum IGF-I by blocking the decrease of its gene expression in the kidney as well as by attenuating the decrease in serum concentrations of IGFBP-3.


2007 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 3660-3666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iona Cheng ◽  
Katherine DeLellis Henderson ◽  
Christopher A. Haiman ◽  
Laurence N. Kolonel ◽  
Brian E. Henderson ◽  
...  

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