Lysophosphatidic acid signaling in late cleavage and blastocyst stage bovine embryos.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a known cell signaling lipid mediator in reproductive tissues. In the cow, LPA is involved in luteal and early pregnancy maintenance. Here, we evaluated the presence and role of LPA in bovine early embryonic development. In relevant aspects, bovine embryos reflect more closely the scenario occurring in human embryos than the mouse model. Transcription of mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in LPA synthesis (ATX and cPLA2) and of LPA receptors (LPAR1-4) were detected in Days 5 and 8 in vitro produced embryos. Embryonic LPA production into culture medium was also detected at both stages of development. Supplementation of culture medium with LPA (10(-5) M) between Days 2 and 8 had no effect on embryo yield and quality and on blastocyst relative mRNA abundance of genes involved in prostaglandin synthesis (PTGS2, PGES, and PGFS) and steroidogenesis (3ßHSD). However, LPA treatment affected transcription levels of embryo quality markers, decreasing BAX (apoptotic) and increasing BCL2 (antiapoptotic) and IGF2R (growth marker) gene transcription levels. Blastocyst transcription of OCT4 (pluripotency marker) was not affected by LPA stimulation. In conclusion, LPA is an early bovine embryonic autocrine/paracrine signaling mediator, and LPA action may be relevant in early embryo-maternal interactions leading to embryonic survival.

Lysophosphatidic acid action in the bovine corpus luteum -an in vitro study.

We examined whether the CL is a site for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) synthesis and/or a target for LPA action in the bovine reproductive tract. LPA concentrations in the CL tissue increased towards the end of the cycle and were stable during early pregnancy. No changes in the expression of LPA receptors (LPARs) occurred during the estrous cycle. The expressions of LPAR2 and LPAR4 on days 17-19 of pregnancy were higher than those on the respective days of the estrous cycle and higher than those on days 8-10 of pregnancy. LPA stimulated P4 synthesis via 3ßHSD stimulation but did not modulate the interferon-tau (IFNτ) influence on P4 synthesis in steroidogenic cells. Moreover, we found LPA-dependent stimulation of IFNτ action on 2,5'-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS1) and ubiquitin-like IFN-stimulated gene 15-kDa protein (ISG15) expression. The present study demonstrated that the CL might be a site of LPA synthesis and target of LPA action in the bovine reproductive tract. We postulate that during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, LPA exerts autocrine and paracrine effects on the CL mainly via LPAR2 and LPAR4. The stimulatory effect of LPA on P4 synthesis via 3ßHSD stimulation and LPA-dependent stimulation of IFNτ action on OAS1 and ISG15 expression suggest that LPA is an additional auxiliary luteosupportive factor in steroidogenic cells.

Lysophosphatic acid modulates prostaglandin secretion in the bovine uterus.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) modulates prostaglandin (PG) synthesis via LPA receptor 3 (LPAR3) in the murine endometrium. The lack of functional LPAR3 in mice may lead to embryo mortality. In the present study, we examined the role of LPA in the bovine uterus. We confirmed that LPA is locally produced and released from the bovine endometrium. Moreover, there are enzymes involved in LPA synthesis (phospholipase (PL) D(2) and PLA2G1B) in the bovine endometrium during estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Expression of the receptor for LPA (LPAR1) was positively correlated with the expression of PGE(2) synthase (PGES) and negatively correlated with the expression of PGF(2alpha) synthase (aldose reductase with 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity - PGFS) during early pregnancy. In vivo LPA induced P4 and PGE(2) secretion was inhibited by LPAR1 antagonist (Ki16425). The overall results indicate that LPA is locally produced and released from the bovine endometrium. Moreover, LPAR1 gene expression in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy indicates that LPA may play autocrine and/or paracrine roles in the bovine uterus. LPAR1 gene expression is positively correlated with the expression of the enzyme responsible for luteotropic PGE(2) production (PGES) in endometrium. In cow, LPA stimulates P4 and PGE(2) secretion. Thus, LPA in the bovine reproductive tract may indirectly (via endometrium) or directly support corpus luteum action via the increase of P4 synthesis and the increase of PGE(2)/PGF(2)(alpha) ratio. It suggests that LPA may serve as an important factor in the maintenance of early pregnancy in cow.