Genes for prostaglandin synthesis, transport and inactivation are differentially expressed in human uterine tissues, and the prostaglandin F synthase AKR1B1 is induced in myometrial cells by inflammatory cytokines.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are important factors in the physiology of human parturition and the control of uterine contractility. We have characterized the expression of 15 genes from all stages of the PG pathway in human pregnant and non-pregnant (NP) myometrium and in other uterine tissues at delivery, and the results show patterns indicative of different capacities for PG synthesis and catabolism in each tissue. In placenta, the PG synthase expression profile favours production of PGD2, PGE2 and PGF2, with high levels of PG transporters and catabolic PG dehydrogenase suggesting rapid PG turnover. Choriodecidua is primed for PGE2, PGF2 and PGD2 production and high PG turnover, whereas amnion expresses genes for PGE2 synthesis with low levels of PG transporters and dehydrogenase. In umbilical cord, PGI2 synthase is highly expressed. In pregnant myometrium, PGI2, PGD2 and PGF2 synthases are highly expressed, whereas PG dehydrogenase is underexpressed. Myometrium from women with spontaneous or induced labour had higher expression of the PGH2 synthase PTGS2 than tissue from women not-in-labour. Myometrium from NP women had lower levels of PG synthases and higher levels of PG dehydrogenase than pregnant myometrium. Discriminant function analysis showed that expression of selected genes in myometrium could distinguish groups of women with different modes of labour from each other and from NP women. In cultured myometrial cells, there was a dose-dependent stimulatory effect of interleukin 1ß and tumour necrosis factor α on PTGS2, PTGES and AKR1B1 (PGF synthase) expression.

Analysing a family-centred preoperative intervention programme: a dismantling approach.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this project was to identify key effective components of ADVANCE, a family-centred preoperative intervention programme, through the use of a dismantling approach. ADVANCE was previously demonstrated to be more effective than parental presence and just as effective as midazolam in reducing children's preoperative anxiety. The total programme, however, may be difficult to implement in hospitals across the country. METHODS: Subjects in this follow-up dismantling report were 96 children aged 2-10 who were part of the original study and who underwent anaesthesia and surgery. Baseline characteristics, parental adherence to the components of ADVANCE, and child and parent anxiety were assessed. RESULTS: We found that greater parental adherence to the ADVANCE intervention was associated with lower child anxiety before surgery. The two components of ADVANCE that emerged as having a significant impact on children's anxiety were practising with the anaesthesia mask at home and parental planning and use of distraction in the preoperative holding area. In fact, not only did children experience significantly less preoperative anxiety when their parents were adherent to mask practise and use of distraction, their anxiety tended to remain stable and relatively low throughout the preoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Shaping and exposure (i.e. practise with the anaesthesia mask) and parental use of distraction in the surgical setting are two beneficial components that could be included in preoperative preparation programmes that will be designed in the future.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II) and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD)/prostaglandin F-synthase (PGFS) in bovine placentomes: implications for the initiation of parturition in cattle.

The chain of events leading to prepartal luteolysis in cattle is not yet fully understood. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) seems to be a major factor involved. However, only little information is available about the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Consequently, the expression of cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II) and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD), an enzyme recently shown to be most likely responsible for the production of luteolytic PGF(2alpha) in the endometrium of cyclic cows, was investigated in bovine placentomes. Immunohistochemical methods were applied to placentomes from 17 pregnant cows between days 100 and 284, from three cows during the prepartal progesterone decrease (days 273-282) and from five parturient cows. COX-II was found in uninucleated trophoblast cells (UTC) from day 100 until parturition. However, between days 100 and 235 expression was only weak to moderate, focal and mainly restricted to the chorionic plate and adjacent basal parts of chorionic stem villi. In placentomes from a 270 and a 284 day pregnant cow, in which the prepartal decline of progesterone levels had not started yet, staining had substantially increased and extended to secondary and tertiary chorionic villi. In prepartal and parturient cows strong to intense staining was present in UTC all over the villous tree. Real time RT-PCR confirmed an extensive pre- and intrapartal rise of COX-II expression in bovine placentomes with a 70-100-fold increase of COX-II-mRNA levels. 20alpha-HSD/PGFS was widely expressed in UTC of chorionic villi. Like COX-II it was down-regulated in UTC differentiating into trophoblast giant cells. Immunostaining pattern did not change remarkably during the period under investigation, and 20alpha-HSD/PGFS-mRNA levels increased only 2.6-fold in the prepartal phase. Thus, in UTC PGF(2alpha) may be produced via COX-II and 20alpha-HSD/PGFS, but only COX-II may be substantially involved in the control of a putative prepartal placentomal output of luteolytic PGs, whereas 20alpha-HSD/PGFS seems to be expressed in a more constitutive manner.

Cellular mechanisms involved during oxytocin-induced prostaglandin F2alpha production in endometrial epithelial cells in vitro: role of cyclooxygenase-2.

PGs are important regulators of reproductive processes. At the time ofluteolysis in vivo, PGF2alpha is produced by endometrial cells, in response to oxytocin (OT). The mechanism by which OT induces the release of PGF2alpha remains to be defined. We have used 13 different cultures of bovine epithelial endometrial cells to study the effect of OT on the regulation of PGF2alpha and to identify the possible involvement of cyclooxygenases (COXs). OT induced a dose-dependent increase of both inositol phosphates (IPs) and [Ca2+]i concentration in epithelial cells labeled with [3H]-myoinositol or loaded with fura-2 (using a fluorescent microscope imaging system), respectively. OT induced a dose-dependent increase of both PGF2alpha production and COX-2 gene expression (as demonstrated by RT-PCR and Northern blots). PGF2alpha production was increased from 13.3 +/- 2.0 to 166.8 +/- 22.5 ng/ml (P < 0.0001). On the other hand, COX-2/beta-actin mRNA gene expression (as determined by densitometric analysis) was increased 5.1 +/- 0.7-fold (P < 0.001) with OT (10[-7] M) treatment, compared with control. Addition of indomethacin (1 microM) and a specific COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398, 1 microM) blocked the OT-induced PGF2alpha production. COX-1 and phospholipase A2 mRNA were expressed at steady-state levels, but no effect of OT was detected on their regulation. Combined to OT, 10 microq/ml of recombinant ovine interferon-tau (roIFN-tau) was able to decrease significantly (P < 0.0001) the dose-dependent increase of PGF2alpha production. Furthermore, partial bovine COX-1 (777 pb) and COX-2 (449 bp) cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. An homology of 83% and 97% was found in relation with rat and sheep, for COX-1, respectively. COX-2 was found to bear 84%, 86%, and 87% of homology in relation to rat, guinea pig, and human, respectively. Collectively, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that COX-2 is involved in the mechanism by which OT regulates PGF2alpha production in the endometrium.

Differential expression and regulation of connexin-43 and cell-cell coupling in myocytes from the circular and longitudinal layers of bovine myometrium.

The expression and localization of the gap junction protein connexin-43 (Cx-43) as well as functional coupling were studied in myocytes from the two layers of the bovine myometrium: the circular and the longitudinal layers. Intercellular communication (measured by Lucifer yellow dye transfer through gap junctions) was more intense in the circular than in the longitudinal layer of the bovine myometrium. The circular layer also exhibited a greater degree of punctuate immunofluorescence to Cx-43. Myocytes from the circular layer expressed more Cx-43 messenger RNA (mRNA; 2.38 +/- 0.46, Cx-43 over 18S RNA) than the longitudinal layer (1.46 +/- 0.48, Cx-43 over 18S RNA; P < 0.05). The modulation of Cx-43 expression by sex steroids in the two myometrial layers was tested using a pure steroidal antiestrogen, EM-139. In myocytes from the circular layer, the level of Cx-43 mRNA was decreased after treatment with 0.1 microM EM-139 (1.37 +/- 0.25, Cx-43 over 18S RNA) compared to that in untreated cells (2.38 +/- 0.46, Cx-43 over 18S RNA), representing a 40% inhibition. In parallel, cell-cell coupling and the amount of Cx-43 protein were also reduced after antiestrogen treatment. In contrast, treatment of cells from the longitudinal layer with the antiestrogen did not significantly affect the level of Cx-43 mRNA, protein, or cell-cell coupling. These data demonstrate that Cx-43 protein and mRNA are expressed and regulated differentially in myocytes from the circular and longitudinal layers of bovine myometrium. Furthermore, the circular myometrial layer may represent a preferential target for estrogen regulation of the biochemical and mechanical processes controlling contractility.

Temporal and tissue-specific expression of prostaglandin receptors EP2, EP3, EP4, FP, and cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 in uterus and fetal membranes during bovine pregnancy.

Uteroplacental prostaglandins (PGs) play pivotal roles in maintenance and /or termination of pregnancy in mammals. Regulation of PG biosynthetic and signaling mechanisms in uteroplacental tissues during maintenance of pregnancy is largely unknown. In the present study, we have characterized the expression of PGE2 receptors (EP2, EP3, EP4), PGF2alpha receptor (FP), and cyclooxygenase (COX) types 1 and 2 in placentome caruncle (CAR), intercaruncle, and fetal membrane tissues during pregnancy in cattle. Pregnant bovine uteri were collected and classified into six groups covering the entire gestational length. The levels of expression of EP2, EP3, and FP mRNAs differ depending on tissues and days of gestation (days <50 to >250). EP4 mRNA was undetectable in all the tissues studied. The expression levels of PG receptor mRNAs were as follows: placentome CAR FP>EP2>P3, intercaruncle EP2>EP3> or =FP, and fetal membranes EP3> or =EP2 >>FP. EP2 and EP3 expressions were modulated in uteroplacental tissues, depending on days of pregnancy, whereas FP was uniformly expressed. COX-1 mRNA and protein were constitutively expressed, whereas COX-2 was highly modulated in uteroplacental tissues throughout pregnancy. Immunohistochemistry showed that EP2 and COX-2 proteins were colocalized in most cell types of placentome CAR, endometrium, and myometrium. Our study indicates that EP2 is the primary cAMP-generating PGE2 receptor expressed in uteroplacental tissues during bovine pregnancy. Temporal and tissue-specific expression of PGE2 and PGF2alpha receptors and COX-1 and -2 at the maternal-fetal interface suggests a selective and distinctive role for PGE2 and PGF2alpha in uterine activities during pregnancy in bovine.

Prostaglandin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling in corpus luteum: a basis for autoregulation of luteal function.

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient ovarian endocrine gland formed from the ovulated follicle. Progesterone is the primary secretory product of CL and is essential for establishment of pregnancy in mammals. In the cyclic female, the life span of CL is characterized by luteal development, maintenance, and regression regulated by complex interactions between luteotrophic and luteolytic mediators. It is universally accepted that prostaglandin (PG) F(2a) is the luteolysin whereas PGE(2) is considered as a luteotropin in most mammals. New emerging concepts emphasize the autocrine and paracrine actions of luteal PGs in CL function. However, there is no report on selective biosynthesis and cellular transport of luteal PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) in the CL of any species. We have studied the expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2, PGE and F synthases, PG 15-dehydrogenase, and PG transporter as well as receptors (EP2, EP3, and FP) throughout the CL life span using a bovine model. COX-1, PGF synthase, and PG 15-dehydrogenase are expressed at constant levels whereas COX-2, PGE synthase, PG transporter, EP2, EP3, and FP are highly modulated during different phases of the CL life span. The PG components are preferentially expressed in large luteal cells. The results indicate that PGE(2) biosynthesis, transport, and signaling cascades are selectively activated during luteal maintenance. By contrast the PGF(2alpha) system is activated during luteal regression. Collectively, our results suggest an integrated role for luteal PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) in autoregulation of CL function.

Beta-adrenergic receptors in the rat mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation: characterization, distribution, and coupling to adenylate cyclase.

To investigate a possible role of catecholamines in mammary gland growth and differentiation, we have studied the characteristics of a specific beta-adrenergic receptor population during the different reproductive phases of the rat mammary gland, namely pregnancy and lactation. The functional response to mammary beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation was assessed by measurement of adenylate cyclase activity during the same physiological states of the gland [125I]Cyanopindolol (CYP) binds specifically to membranes prepared from lactating mammary glands. Scatchard analysis of the binding data shows the presence of a single class of high affinity sites, with an apparent Kd value of 25.0 +/- 0.4 pM and a binding capacity of 32.5 +/- 1.2 fmol/mg protein in lactating mammary glands at random stages of lactation. The order of potency of a series of agonists to compete for [125I]CYP binding is consistent with the interactions with a beta 2-subtype receptor. The binding of [125I]CYP to mammary glands also shows a marked stereoselectivity; the (-)isomers of isoproterenol and propranolol are more potent than their respective enantiomers. The radioautographic localization of [125I]CYP reveals the presence of specific beta-adrenergic receptors in the epithelial cells, alveoles, ducts, as well as adipocytes. [125I]CYP binding shows a 2- to 3-fold increase during pregnancy. Such a result correlates with parallel increases in stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, the cytosolic progesterone receptor concentration, as well as plasma 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone levels. At parturition, a sharp decline in beta-adrenergic receptor concentration is observed, a finding concomitant with a drop in progesterone receptor levels as well as plasma estradiol and progesterone concentrations. During midlactation, beta-adrenergic receptors reach their maximal levels. The presence of specific beta-adrenergic receptors functionally coupled to the adenylate cyclase system and the marked changes in receptor capacity and distribution measured during the different physiological states of the mammary gland suggest that the mammary beta-adrenergic receptors are highly sensitive to changes in the hormonal milieu and provide a mechanism for a direct catecholaminergic influence on mammary gland growth and differentiation.

Ontogeny of oxytocin receptors and oxytocin-induced stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis in prepubertal heifers.

Developmental aspects of oxytocin (OT) receptors (OTR) in uterine tissues before puberty are not known. Bovine ovaries secrete some estradiol, but no progesterone, before puberty; the circulating levels of estradiol are between 1 and 3 pg/ml until puberty. Cross-bred Angus-Brahman heifers, in which puberty occurs around 12 months of age, were used to determine the concentrations of OTR from the late fetal stage to adulthood. PGF2alpha release in response to OT was determined in 3-, 6-, and 9-month-old heifers (n = 4 each). Myometrium, endometrium, and cervical mucosa were obtained from 3-week-old, 3-month-old, 6-month-old, and 9-month-old heifers and from adult cows at estrus. Whole uterus and cervix were taken from third trimester fetuses and at birth. [3H]OT binding and specificity, localization of immunoreactive (ir) OTR, OTR messenger RNA, and OT-induced release of PGF2alpha were determined. The uterus from fetuses and the neonate expressed OTR messenger RNA and bound [3H]OT. At 3 weeks of age, OTR concentrations per mg protein were very low, but at 3 months of age they had increased markedly in all three tissues. At 6 and 9 months of age, levels of OTR had risen further and were similar to those in adult cows at estrus. Prepubertal uterus also possessed separate vasopressin VP1 subtype receptors. The ir-OTR was localized in luminal epithelial cells of endometrium and cervical mucosa, most of which were ir positive, whereas in myometrium, clusters of ir-OTR-positive cells were found among large numbers of ir-OTR-negative cells. The PGF2alpha response to OT was insignificant in heifers of all age groups, in contrast to that in cows at estrus. Endometrial cells from 4- to 5-month-old heifers did not respond to OT with PG release in the absence or presence of added arachidonic acid. Tumor promoters, lipopolysaccharide, and interleukin-2 also failed to elicit PG release in vitro, although they induced PG release in similar cell cultures from cyclic cows. In summary, uterine tissues of prepubertal heifers have high levels of OTR, which appear to be developmentally regulated. These receptors are not coupled to PG synthase, or alternatively, the PG synthase gene is not expressed before puberty, possibly because the tissues have had no previous exposure to progesterone.

Effect of interferon-tau on prostaglandin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in cattle: evidence of polycrine actions of prostaglandin E2.

Recognition and establishment of pregnancy involve several molecular and cellular interactions among the conceptus, uterus, and corpus luteum (CL). In ruminants, interferon-tau (IFNtau) of embryonic origin is recognized as the pregnancy recognition signal. Endometrial prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) is the luteolysin, whereas PGE(2) is considered a luteoprotective or luteotrophic mediator at the time of establishment of pregnancy. The interplay between IFNtau and endometrial PGs production, transport, and signaling at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) is not well understood. We have studied the expression of enzymes involved in metabolism of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2, PG synthases (PGES and PGFS), PG 15-dehydrogenase, and PG transporter as well as PGE(2) (EP2 and EP3) and PGF(2alpha) receptors. IFNtau influences cell-specific expression of COX-2, PGFS, EP2, and EP3 in endometrium, myometrium, and CL in a spatio-temporal and tissue-specific manner, whereas it does not alter COX-1, PGES, PG 15-dehydrogenase, PG transporter, or PGF(2alpha) receptor expression in any of these tissues. In endometrium, IFNtau decreases PGFS in epithelial cells and increases EP2 in stroma. In myometrium, IFNtau decreases PGFS and increases EP2 in smooth muscle cells. In CL, IFNtau increases PGES and decreases EP3. Together, our results show that IFNtau directly or indirectly increases PGE(2) biosynthesis and EP2-associated signaling in endometrium, myometrium, and CL during MRP. Thus, PGE(2) may play pivotal roles in endometrial receptivity, myometrial quiescence, and luteal maintenance, indicating polycrine (endocrine, exocrine, paracrine, and autocrine) actions of PGE(2) at the time of MRP. Therefore, the establishment of pregnancy may depend not only on inhibition of endometrial PGF(2alpha), but also on increased PGE(2) production in cattle.

Molecular cloning and characterization of bovine prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4: expression and regulation in endometrium and myometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

Prostaglandins (PGs) play important functions in the reproductive system, and PGE(2) appears necessary for recognition of pregnancy. We have found that PGE(2) is able to increase cAMP generation in the bovine endometrium. There are two PGE(2) receptors (EP), EP2 and EP4, that are coupled to adenylate cyclase to generate cAMP, but these receptors have not been studied in the bovine. We have cloned and characterized bovine EP2 and EP4 receptors and studied their expression in the uterus. The amino acid sequences of bovine EP2 and EP4 possess a high degree (>80%) of identity with the other mammalian homologs. EP2 is expressed in most tissues, and EP4 is expressed only in intestine and testis. EP2 mRNA and protein are expressed in endometrium and myometrium during the estrous cycle, whereas EP4 is undetectable. The Western analysis indicates that EP2 is maximally expressed in both endometrium and myometrium between d 10 and 18 of the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemical localization reveals that EP2 protein is expressed in all cell types of endometrium and myometrium. On d 18, pregnancy up-regulates EP2 protein, primarily in endometrial stroma and myometrial smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, EP2 is the major cAMP-generating PGE(2) receptor expressed and regulated in the bovine uterus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

IFN-tau increases PGE2 production and COX-2 gene expression in the bovine endometrium in vitro.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are well known for their role in reproductive processes. At the time of pregnancy recognition, PGF2alpha is luteolytic and PGE2 may be antiluteolytic and luteotropic. During the preimplantation period, interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is produced by the conceptus and plays a crucial role in maternal recognition of pregnancy in domestic ruminants. We have demonstrated previously that recombinant bovine and ovine interferon-tau (rbIFN-tau and roIFN-tau) stimulate PGE2 production in epithelial cells, changing the primary PG produced by these cells from F2alpha to E2. In stromal cells, where PGE2 is the major PG produced, roIFN-tau induced an increase of both types of PGs. The aim of this paper is to identify the possible involvement of cyclooxygenases (COXs) in the modulation of PG production by trophoblastic interferons. Epithelial and stromal cells cultured in vitro were isolated from bovine endometrium and stimulated with increasing doses (1, 10 and 20 microg/ml) of roIFN-tau. PG levels in the culture media were measured by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and total RNA was extracted from the cells. Northern blot analysis was performed to quantify cyclooxygenase COX-1 (constitutive), COX-2 (inducible) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) messenger RNA (mRNA) production in response to treatment. The results indicate that roIFN-tau treatment did not affect COX-1 and PLA2 mRNA production in either cell type, whereas COX-2 expression was upregulated in both. The up-regulation of COX-2 transcript was greater in stromal than in epithelial cells. The increase in COX-2 mRNA levels was concurrent with increased production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in stromal cells and principally PGE2 in epithelial cells. Furthermore, addition of indomethacin (1 microM) and a specific COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398, 1 microM) blocked the roIFN-tau-stimulation of PG production in both cell types. The mechanism whereby elevated COX-2 expression results in a selective increase of PGE2 in epithelial cells remains to be elucidated. In stromal cells, an increase in COX-2 mRNA levels may explain increased PG production. The overall effect of roIFN-tau in the two cell types is a net increase in PGE2 output.

Local effect of the rabbit embryo-foetus on uterine progesterone and pregnenolone levels.

Rabbit peripheral serum and uterine tissue (embryonic (EZ) and interembryonic (IEZ) zones) were assayed for the main C21, C19 and C18 steroids throughout pregnancy and pseudopregnancy (PSPG). Pregnenolone concentrations in PSPG and IEZ were comparable and remained relatively stable, while its level in EZ increased, reaching a peak value of 18.2 +/- 0.8 ng/g by day 15, and decreasing thereafter to a level comparable to oestrus by day 25. Tissue concentrations of progesterone were comparable in PSPG and IEZ, reached their maximal level on days 6.5 and 9, and decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) on day 15. In EZ, progesterone level was significantly lower than in IEZ and decreased on day 9 compared to day 6.5. A further decrease was observed from days 9 to 15 but no difference between tissues was observed on the latter day. Thus, the blastocyst-foetus exerts a local effect by decreasing progesterone content and increasing pregnenolone level in the uterine tissue adjacent to its implantation (EZ). The conversion of progesterone in uterine tissue to less-active metabolites does not appear to occur towards the C19 and C18 steroids.

Sex steroid regulation of beta-adrenergic sensitive adenylate cyclase in rabbit myometrial cells in primary culture.

Cyclic adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is the likely mediator of myometrial relaxation induced by agents like isoproterenol and relaxin. In vivo, the relaxation response to beta-adrenergic catecholamines is modulated by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. However, it is still debated whether that regulation occurs via a direct action on myometrial cells or indirectly through modulation of adrenergic neurotransmitters. We have studied the properties of adenylate cyclase in primary cultures of smooth muscle cells isolated from rabbit myometrium. Adenylate cyclase activity increased with time in culture reaching a maximum on day 6. The cultured cells had basal activity which could be stimulated by guanosine triphosphate (GTP, 2.3 fold), its non-hydrolysable analogue guanylyl-imido-diphosphate (GPP[NH]p, 8.3 fold) and sodium fluoride (NaF, 15.7 fold). Isoproterenol (Iso) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity to the same level (4 fold) and required the presence of exogenous GTP. Sex steroid treatment did not affect basal activity or its stimulation by guanyl nucleotides, PGE2 or NaF. However, the adenylate cyclase response to Iso was significantly affected by E2 and/or P treatment. E2 treatment for 6 days diminished the sensitivity 10 fold (from 10 nM to 100 nM) while E2 for 3 days followed by P for 3 days increased it 10 fold (to 1 nM). Maximal response was not affected by treatment with E2 for 6 days but was diminished by 43% (p less than 0.001) when P was added alone and increased by 63% (p less than 0.001) when P was added following E2 pretreatment. Our results demonstrate that sex steroids can alter beta-adrenergic response in vitro by a direct action on myometrial cells.

The embryo influences adenylate cyclase activity and hormonal response in rabbit myometrium during early pregnancy.

The effect of pseudopregnancy (PSPG; days: 0 (estrus), 1, 6.5, 9 and 15) and pregnancy (PG; days: 6.5, 9 and 15) on adenylate cyclase (AC) activity was verified in rabbit myometrium. During PSPG, there was a time related decline in basal activity from 71 +/- 16.2 (D 0) to 13.1 +/- 1.6 (PSPG-D9) pmoles cAMP formed/mg prot-min. Stimulation of the enzyme by GTP, Isoproterenol (ISO), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or Sodium Fluoride (NaF) followed a similar pattern. AC activity was compared in myometrial tissues of pregnant animals (PG) separated into embryonic (ES) and interembryonic (IES) sites. On days 6.5 and 9, AC activity measured in tissues from PG rabbits (ES and IES) was always higher than that found in tissues from PSPG animals on corresponding days. On day 6.5, AC activity was slightly higher (p less than 0.01) in ES than in IES. This was confirmed on day 9 where basal as well as GTP, ISO and PGE2 stimulated activities were higher in ES than in IES (p less than 0.001). Dose response to ISO, expressed as % of GTP, were similar on D0, 1, 6.5 and 15 of PSPG. However, on day 9, there was a striking diminution in response reflected by a lower stimulation at suboptimal dose (0.1 microM; p less than 0.05) from 115 +/- 2 on day 0 to 104 +/- 4 on day 9. These results suggest that protein content which is increased during pseudopregnancy could be responsible for the decline of AC activity. However, results obtained on day 9 and 15 suggest that other factors are involved. Dose responses to ISO during PG showed an alteration in response on days 6.5 and 9 at ES. It was reflected by a higher stimulation at suboptimal (0.1 microM) and optimal doses (100 microM). These results suggest that myometrial AC activity could be regulated by the presence of the embryo.

Relationship between steroid levels in peripheral serum and uterine tissue during pseudopregnancy in rabbit.

Determination of the main C21, C19 and C18 steroids in peripheral serum and uterine tissue was made to study the relationships of the steroids during pseudopregnancy in the rabbit. Tissue and serum progesterone levels rose significantly (P < 0.01) from estrus to Day 9 and then decreased by 81% (tissue) and 57% (serum) at Day 15, while pregnenolone levels in uterine tissue and serum remained unaffected. Estradiol serum levels remained fairly stable, whereas its concentration in uterine tissue decreased after estrus by 85%, followed by a significant (P < 0.05) increase from Day 9. Most of the C19 steroid values in the uterine tissue and in the serum were generally at levels below or near the limit of detection and did not vary significantly. Since progesterone and estradiol levels were high and/or varied significantly in tissue throughout pseudopregnancy, and since androgens were produced in small amounts, it is suggested that androgens might not play a significant role in uterine tissue during pseudopregnancy.

Epithelial and stromal uterine cells cultured in vitro protect bovine sperm from hydrogen peroxide.

It is known that large amounts of leukocytes colonize the uterus, and that these leukocytes can produce considerable quantities of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen species that are toxic to sperm. It has been shown recently that oviductal fluid has a catalase that helps to maintain sperm motility. Therefore, the current experiment was performed to determine if a similar mechanism of protection exists against peroxides within uterine cells. Sperm motility and velocity were recorded after a 6h incubation in 1) conditioned media in the presence of endometrial cells, 2) conditioned media without endometrial cells, 3) control media (48h without cells) over endometrial cells, or 4) control media alone. All these treatments were performed in the presence or absence of added catalase. Conditioned media, endometrial cells and catalase had a significant positive effect on the maintenance of sperm motility and velocity. Addition of anti-catalase antibodies did not neutralize the beneficial effect of the conditioned media. However, the concentrations of aromatic amino acids, known substrates for sperm amino acid oxidase, were significantly lower in uterine conditioned media as compared to control medium. This reduction of aromatic amino acids was in correlation with reduced H2O2 production by sperm as estimated by chemiluminescence. These results suggest that epithelial and stromal uterine cells do not maintain sperm motility by secreting catalase in the conditioned media, but rather by reducing the levels of aromatic amino acids and thus of peroxides generated in the presence of spermatozoa.

Effects of conditioned media on porcine embryos at different stages of development.

The objective of our study was to determine the effect of conditioning media with homologous porcine uterine cells on the developmental rate of porcine embryos. Cell monolayers were prepared by selective dissection and digestion of sections from the uterus of prepuberal gilts that were primed with PMSG and hCG. Conditioned media were used with 2 type of embryos: 4-cell stage (Experiment 1) or blastocyst stage (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, embryos were collected surgically by flushing the oviducts, 36 to 48 h following the first of 2 inseminations. Embryos were cultured in Whitten's medium containing 1.5% BSA as a protein source until they attained the 4-cell stage. Embryos at the 4-cell stage were cultured randomly in either Whitten's medium with 1.5% BSA or Whitten's medium with 1.5% BSA that was previously conditioned for 24 h with an endometrial epithelial cell monolayer. Embryos were cultured in 50-microl drops covered with oil in a 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air incubator. There was no advantage to using the conditioned media with the 4-cell stage embryos. The embryos were less developed than those cultured in nonconditioned Whitten's medium (P <0.001). In Experiment 2, embryos were cultured at the blastocyst stage. They were recovered the same way as in Experiment 1 and then cultured in Whitten's medium containing 1.5% BSA until they reached the blastocyst stage. At the blastocyst stage (Day 6), embryos were randomly assigned to 1 of the 6 following treatments: Whitten's with 1.5% BSA or Whitten's plus 1.5% BSA that was previously conditioned with endometrial epithelial cell monolayer, TCM-199 containing 0.4% BSA or TCM-199 plus 0.4% BSA that was previously conditioned with endometrial epithelial cell monolayer, finally, TCM-199 containing 10% serum or TCM-199 plus 10% serum that was previously conditioned with endometrial epithelial cell monolayer. Results show that initiation of hatching was significantly enhanced by conditioning the Whitten's media.

Expression of prostaglandin E synthases in the bovine oviduct.

The oviduct is a specialized organ responsible for the storage and the transport of male and female gametes. It also provides an optimal environment for final gamete maturation, fertilization, and early embryo development. Prostaglandin (PG) E(2) is involved in many female reproductive functions, including ovulation, fertilization, implantation, and parturition. However, the control of its synthesis in the oviduct is not fully understood. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are involved in the first step of the transformation of arachidonic acid to PGH(2.) The prostaglandin E synthases (PGESs) constitute a family of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of PGH(2) to PGE(2), the terminal step in the formation of this bioactive prostaglandin. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of COX-1, COX-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-2 (mPGES-2), and cytosolic prostaglandin E synthase (cPGES) mRNA in various sections of the oviduct, both ipsilateral and contralateral (to the ovary on which ovulation occurred) at various stages of the estrous cycle. Furthermore, protein expression and localization of cPGES, mPGES-1, and mPGES-2 were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. All three PGESs were detected at both mRNA and protein levels in the oviduct. These PGESs were mostly concentrated in the oviductal epithelial layer and primarily expressed in the ampulla section of the oviduct and to a lesser extent in the isthmus and the isthmic-ampullary junction. The mPGES-1 protein was highly expressed in the contralateral oviduct, which contrasted with mPGES-2 mostly expressed in the ipsilateral oviduct. This is apparently the first report documenting that the three PGESs involved in PGE(2) production were present in the Bos taurus oviduct.