Expression profiles of oviductal mRNAs and lncRNAs in the follicular phase and luteal phase of sheep (Ovis aries) with 2 fecundity gene (FecB) genotypes.

FecB (also known as BMPR1B) is a crucial gene in sheep reproduction, which has a mutation (A746G) that was found to increase the ovulation rate and litter size. The FecB mutation is associated with reproductive endocrinology, such mutation can control external estrous characteristics and affect follicle-stimulating hormone during the estrous cycle. Previous researches showed that the FecB mutation can regulate the transcriptomic profiles in the reproductive-related tissues including hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary during the estrous cycle of small-tailed Han (STH) sheep. However, little research has been reported on the correlation between FecB mutation and the estrous cycle in STH sheep oviduct. To investigate the coding and noncoding transcriptomic profiles involved in the estrous cycle and FecB in the sheep oviduct, RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the transcriptomic profiles of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the oviduct during the estrous cycle of STH sheep with mutant (FecBBB) and wild-type (FecB++) genotypes. In total, 21,863 lncRNAs and 43,674 mRNAs were screened, the results showed that mRNAs had significantly higher expression levels than the lncRNAs, and the expression levels of these screened transcripts were lower in the follicular phase than they were in the luteal phase. Among them, the oviductal glycoprotein gene (OVGP1) had the highest expression level. In the comparison between the follicular and luteal phases, 57 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 637 DE mRNAs were detected, including FSTL5 mRNA and LNC_016628 lncRNA. In the comparison between the FecBBB and FecB++ genotypes, 26 DE lncRNAs and 421 DE mRNAs were detected, including EEF1D mRNA and LNC_006270 lncRNA. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis indicated that the DE mRNAs were enriched mainly in terms related to reproduction such as the tight junction, SAGA complex, ATP-binding cassette, nestin, and Hippo signaling pathway. The interaction network between DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs indicated that LNC_018420 may be the key regulator in sheep oviduct. Together, our results can provide novel insights into the oviductal transcriptomic function against a FecB mutation background in sheep reproduction.

Thyroid Transcriptomics Revealed the Reproductive Regulation of miRNA in the Follicular and Luteal Phases in Small-Tail Han Sheep with Different FecB Genotypes.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a type of endogenous short-stranded ncRNA that influences many biological processes such as animal growth, development and metabolism. The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland in sheep, and an increasing number of studies have shown that the thyroid gland plays an important role in animal reproduction, but the molecular mechanisms of the thyroid gland in sheep reproduction are poorly understood. In this study, RNA-seq was used to detect transcriptome expression patterns in the thyroid gland between the follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecB BB (MM) and FecB ++ (ww) small-tail Han (STH) sheep, respectively, and to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) associated with reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis of the target genes of these DEMs revealed that they can be enriched in multiple GO terms associated with the reproductive process in animals and in the KEGG signaling pathway. The miRNA-mRNA coexpression network revealed that oar-miR-133 and oar-miR-370-3p may play an important role in sheep reproduction. The results of the dual-luciferase reporter assay suggest a possible targeting relationship between novel-51 and TARBP2. These results provided a novel resource for elucidating regulatory mechanisms underlying STH sheep prolificacy.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Hu Sheep Pituitary Gland Prolificacy at the Follicular and Luteal Phases.

The pituitary gland directly regulates the reproduction of domestic animals. Research has increasingly focused on the potential regulatory mechanism of non-coding RNA in pituitary development. Little is known about the differential expression pattern of lncRNAs in Hu sheep, a famous sheep breed with high fecundity, and its role in the pituitary gland between the follicular phase and luteal phase. Herein, to identify the transcriptomic differences of the sheep pituitary gland during the estrus cycle, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed. The results showed that 3529 lncRNAs and 16,651 mRNAs were identified in the pituitary gland. Among of them, 144 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNA transcripts and 557 DE mRNA transcripts were screened in the follicular and luteal phases. Moreover, GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that 39 downregulated and 22 upregulated genes interacted with pituitary functions and reproduction. Lastly, the interaction of the candidate lncRNA XR_001039544.4 and its targeted gene LHB were validated in sheep pituitary cells in vitro. LncRNA XR_001039544.4 and LHB showed high expression levels in the luteal phase in Hu sheep. LncRNA XR_001039544.4 is mainly located in the cytoplasm, as determined by FISH analysis, indicating that XR_001039544.4 might act as competing endogenous RNAs for miRNAs to regulate LHB. LncRNA XR_001039544.4 knockdown significantly inhibited LH secretion and cell proliferation. LncRNA XR_001039544.4 may regulate the secretion of LH in the luteal-phase pituitary gland via affecting cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings provided genome-wide lncRNA- and mRNA-expression profiles for the sheep pituitary gland between the follicular and luteal phases, thereby contributing to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of pituitary function.

Endometrial injury concurrent with hysteroscopy increases the expression of Leukaemia inhibitory factor: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: It is not known by which mechanism endometrial injury increases pregnancy rates. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine involved in wound healing and implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the change in endometrial LIF mRNA expression before and after mechanical injury during hysteroscopy. METHODS: Forty patients with a history of two or more unsuccessful implantations who decided to undergo hysteroscopy in the proliferative phase were divided into two equal groups: one with endometrial injury (scratching group) and the other with noninjury (control group). Endometrial sampling was conducted before injury on the patients in the scratching group, and then injury was performed with monopolar needle forceps. Only diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed on the patients in the control group. Endometrial tissues were collected using a Pipelle catheter between Days 20 and 23 of the mid-luteal phase of the next cycles in both the scratching and control groups. Endometrial LIF mRNA expression was evaluated with the use of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: Relative changes in mRNA expression levels of the LIF gene in endometrial samples taken before and after injury were calculated using the 2-ΔΔCt method, and the fold changes obtained were compared between and within the groups. Compared with preinjury values, an 11.1-fold increase was found in postinjury LIF mRNA expression in patients with monopolar forceps injury (p < 0.001). There was a 3.9-fold significant increase in postinjury LIF mRNA levels compared with those in the control group (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The fertility-promoting effect of hysteroscopy-guided mechanical endometrial injury may be mediated by LIF mRNA.

Luteal phase support for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh cycles: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various luteal phase supports (LPSs) have been proven to increase the pregnancy rate in fresh cycles of in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection; however, there is still significant debate regarding the optimal use of LPS. METHODS: A systematic review with the use of a network meta-analysis was performed via electronic searching of Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar (up to January 2021) to compare the effectiveness and safety of various LPSs, as well as to evaluate the effects of different initiations of LPSs on pregnancy outcomes. The primary outcomes included live birth and ongoing pregnancy, with the results presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Eighty-nine randomized controlled trials with 29,625 women comparing 14 interventions or placebo/no LPS treatments were included in the meta-analyses. No significant differences were found in terms of the pregnancy outcomes when LPS was started within 48 h after oocyte retrieval versus a delayed initiation between 48 h and 96 h after oocyte retrieval. The addition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to progesterone vaginal pessaries showed a significant benefit in terms of live birth (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.78). Only human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was found to be more efficacious than the placebo/no LPS treatment in terms of live birth (OR 15.43, 95% CI 2.03 to 117.12, low evidence). Any active LPSs (except for rectal or subcutaneous progesterone) was significantly more efficacious than the placebo/no LPS treatment in terms of ongoing pregnancy, with ORs ranging between 1.77 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.90) for the vaginal progesterone pessary and 2.14 (1.23 to 3.70) for the intramuscular progesterone treatment. Among the comparisons of efficacy and tolerability between the active treatments, the differences were small and very uncertain. CONCLUSION: Delays in progesterone supplementation until 96 h after oocyte retrieval does not affect pregnancy outcomes. The safety of GnRH agonists during the luteal phase needs to be evaluated in future studies before the applications of these agonists in clinical practice. With comparable efficacy and acceptability, there may be several viable clinical options for LPS.

Pineal gland transcriptomic profiling reveals the differential regulation of lncRNA and mRNA related to prolificacy in STH sheep with two FecB genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been identified as important regulator in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis associated with sheep prolificacy. However, little is known of their expression pattern and potential roles in the pineal gland of sheep. Herein, RNA-Seq was used to detect transcriptome expression pattern in pineal gland between follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecBBB (MM) and FecB++ (ww) STH sheep, respectively, and differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with reproduction were identified. RESULTS: Overall, 135 DE lncRNAs and 1360 DE mRNAs in pineal gland between MM and ww sheep were screened. Wherein, 39 DE lncRNAs and 764 DE mRNAs were identified (FP vs LP) in MM sheep, 96 DE lncRNAs and 596 DE mRNAs were identified (FP vs LP) in ww sheep. Moreover, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the targets of DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs were annotated to multiple biological processes such as phototransduction, circadian rhythm, melanogenesis, GSH metabolism and steroid biosynthesis, which directly or indirectly participate in hormone activities to affect sheep reproductive performance. Additionally, co-expression of lncRNAs-mRNAs and the network construction were performed based on correlation analysis, DE lncRNAs can modulate target genes involved in related pathways to affect sheep fecundity. Specifically, XLOC_466330, XLOC_532771, XLOC_028449 targeting RRM2B and GSTK1, XLOC_391199 targeting STMN1, XLOC_503926 targeting RAG2, XLOC_187711 targeting DLG4 were included. CONCLUSION: All of these differential lncRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in pineal gland provide a novel resource for elucidating regulatory mechanism underlying STH sheep prolificacy.

Identification of transcriptome differences in goat ovaries at the follicular phase and the luteal phase using an RNA-Seq method.

The ovaries, the main female reproductive organs, directly mediate ovulation and reproductive hormone secretion. These complex physiological processes are regulated by multiple genes and pathways. However, there is a lack of research on goat ovaries, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling pathways remain unclear. In this study, Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing was used to sequence the transcriptomes of goat ovaries. The expression patterns of differentially expressed mRNAs in goat ovaries at both the follicular and luteal phases were determined by bioinformatics analysis. A total of 1,122, 014, 112 clean reads were obtained, and 3770 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified for further analysis. There were 1727 and 2043 upregulated mRNAs in the luteal phase and follicular phase, respectively. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the luteal phase, such as HSD17B7, 3BHSD, and SRD5A2, may be related to the synthesis of progesterone. In addition, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the follicular phase, such as RPL12, RPS13 and RPL10, are related to the growth and maturation of oocytes. Taken together, the findings of this study provide genome-wide mRNA expression profiles for goat ovaries at the follicular and luteal phases and identify mRNAs associated with goat hormone secretion and follicular development. In addition, this study provides a theoretical basis for further investigation of goat reproductive regulation.

Characterization of the role for cadherin 6 in the regulation of human endometrial receptivity.

BACKGROUND: The endometrial luminal epithelium is the first point of attachment of embryos during implantation. Failure of embryos to firmly adhere results in implantation failure and infertility. A receptive endometrial luminal epithelium is achieved through the expression of adhesion molecules in the mid-secretory phase and is a requirement for implantation. Cadherin 6 (CDH6) is an adhesion molecule localizing to the endometrial luminal epithelial cell surface in the mid-secretory/receptive phase and knockdown of CDH6 in the Ishikawa cells (receptive endometrial epithelial cell line) compromises cell integrity. However, there are no studies investigating the role of CDH6 on receptivity and infertility. This study aimed to investigate whether CDH6 is dysregulated in the endometrium of women with infertility during the receptive window and the effect of CDH6 on endometrial adhesion and receptivity. METHODS: The expression and the localization of CDH6 in the human endometrium were determined by immunohistochemistry. Ishikawa cells were used to investigate the functional consequences of CDH6 knockdown on endometrial adhesive capacity to HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroids in vitro. CDH6 knockdown was assessed by qPCR and immunoblotting. After CDH6 knockdown, the expression of type II cadherin family members and CDH6 functional partners were assessed by qPCR. Two-tailed unpaired student's t-test or one-way ANOVA as appropriate were used for statistical analysis with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. RESULTS: A significant reduction of CDH6 immunolocalization was recorded in the luminal and glandular epithelium of endometrium from women with infertility (P < 0.05) compared to fertile group respective cellular compartments in the mid-secretory phase. Functional analysis using Ishikawa cells demonstrated that knockdown of CDH6 (treated with 50 nM CDH6 siRNA) significantly reduced epithelial adhesive capacity (P < 0.05) to HTR8/SVneo spheroids compared to control and other type II cadherin family members likely failed to compensate for the loss of CDH6. The expression levels of CDH6 functional partners, catenin family members were not changed after CDH6 knockdown in Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSION: Together, our data revealed that CDH6 was dysregulated in the endometrium from women with infertility and altered Ishikawa cell adhesive capacity. Our study supports a role for CDH6 in regulating endometrial adhesion and implantation.

Association between prolactin receptor expression and proliferation in the endometrium of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer. There is growing evidence that prolactin and its receptor (PRLR) are involved in the development of cancer. We assessed endometrial expression of PRLR mRNA, and immunostaining of PRLR and the proliferation marker Ki67 on different cycle days in obese (OB-PCOS) and normal-weight women with PCOS and body mass index-matched controls. The OB-PCOS group underwent a 3 months lifestyle intervention. Prior to intervention, obese women with PCOS and controls had lower endometrial levels of PRLR mRNA in proliferative endometrium than the normal-weight groups (p < .05). After intervention, six OB-PCOS women had confirmed ovulation, while 12 remained anovulatory. Both these subgroups displayed higher immunostaining of PRLR in endometrial stroma, and in the anovulatory subgroup also increased Ki67, on cycle days 21-23 compared with controls (p < .05). In obese controls, the PRLR mRNA expression was decreased in secretory endometrium compared with proliferative endometrium (p = .004). A corresponding change within the cycle was not found in OB-PCOS women. Immunostaining of PRLR in the secretory phase correlated positively with Ki67 (p < .05) in the endometrium. These observations suggest that short-term lifestyle intervention can restore ovulation but not normalize PRLR expression in the endometrium of obese women with PCOS. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN18400086, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN18400086.

Similar miRNomic signatures characterize the follicular fluids collected after follicular and luteal phase stimulations in the same ovarian cycle.

PURPOSE: To detect putative differences in the miRNomic profile of follicular fluids collected after follicular-phase-stimulation (FPS-FFs) and paired luteal-phase-stimulation (LPS-FFs) in the same ovarian cycles (DuoStim). METHODS: Exploratory study at a private IVF center and University involving FPS-FFs and paired-LPS-FFs collected from 15 reduced ovarian reserve and advanced maternal age women undergoing DuoStim (n = 30 paired samples). The samples were combined in 6 paired pools (5 samples each) and balanced according to maternal age and number of cumulus-oocyte-complexes. Micro-RNAs were isolated and sequenced. Four miRNAs were then selected for further validation on 6 single pairs of FPS-FFs and LPS-FFs by qPCR. RESULTS: Forty-three miRNAs were detected in both FPS-FFs and paired-LPS-FFs after sequencing and no statistically significant differences were reported. Thirty-three KEGG pathways were identified as regulated from the detected miRNAs. Four miRNAs (miR-146b, miR-191, miR-320a, and miR-483) were selected for qPCR validation since consistently expressed in our samples and possibly involved in the regulation/establishment of a healthy follicular environment. Again, no significant differences were reported between FPS-FFs and paired-LPS-FFs, also when the analysis was corrected for maternal age and number of cumulus-oocyte-complexes in generalized linear models. CONCLUSIONS: These data complement the embryological, chromosomal, and clinical evidence of equivalence between FPS and LPS published to date.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of the human endocervix and ectocervix during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle.

Despite extensive studies suggesting increased susceptibility to HIV during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Our goal was to analyze transcriptomes of the endocervix and ectocervix during the proliferative and secretory phases using RNA sequencing to explore potential molecular signatures of susceptibility to HIV. We identified 202 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the proliferative and secretory phases of the cycle in the endocervix (adjusted p < 0.05). The biofunctions and pathways analysis of DEGs revealed that cellular assembly and epithelial barrier function in the proliferative phase and inflammatory response/cellular movement in the secretory phase were among the top biofunctions and pathways. The gene set enrichment analysis of ranked DEGs (score = log fold change/p value) in the endocervix and ectocervix revealed that (i) unstimulated/not activated immune cells gene sets positively correlated with the proliferative phase and negatively correlated with the secretory phase in both tissues, (ii) IFNγ and IFNα response gene sets positively correlated with the proliferative phase in the ectocervix, (iii) HIV restrictive Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway negatively correlated with the secretory phase in the endocervix. Our data show menstrual cycle phase-associated changes in both endocervix and ectocervix, which may modulate susceptibility to HIV.

Comparison of daily vaginal progesterone gel plus weekly intramuscular progesterone with daily intramuscular progesterone for luteal phase support in single, autologous euploid frozen-thawed embryo transfers.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes between daily intramuscular progesterone (IMP) and daily vaginal progesterone (VP) gel plus weekly intramuscular hydroxyprogesterone caproate (IMHPC) for luteal phase support (LPS) in single, autologous euploid frozen-thawed blastocyst transfers (FBTs) following artificial endometrial preparation (EP). METHODS: The retrospective cohort study included 767 single, autologous FBTs from 731 patients between January 2015 and March 2018. LPS was performed either with IMP (100 mg/day) or with VP gel (90 mg, twice daily) plus IMHPC (250 mg/week). Oral estrogen was prescribed in combination of both regimes. Oral estrogen was discontinued following the visualization of fetal cardiac activity on ultrasound and progesterone at 10 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was live birth rate. The secondary outcomes included implantation, clinical pregnancy, and multiple pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Patient characteristics did not differ in LPS regimes. Of 767 FBTs, 608 had IMP (100 mg/day) for LPS and 159 had VP gel (90 mg, twice daily) plus IMHPC (250 mg/week) for LPS. The live birth rate was 51.8% and 50.3%, respectively (p = 0.737, OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.66-1.33). The implantation rate was 62.7% and 64.2%, respectively (p = 0.730, OR 1.06, 95%CI 0.74-1.53). The clinical pregnancy rates were also similar in both groups (59.5% vs. 61.6%, respectively, p = 0.631, OR 1.09, 95%CI 0.76-1.56). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe significant differences in the rates of live birth, implantation, and clinical pregnancy between daily IMP and daily VP gel plus weekly IMHPC for LPS in single, autologous euploid FBTs after artificial EP.

Combined microRNAome and transcriptome analysis of follicular phase and luteal phase in porcine ovaries.

The aim of this study was to explore the expression difference of miRNAs and mRNAs between the follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in porcine ovaries and provide a theoretical basis for the research on mammalian reproductive regulation. RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs) between the FP and LP in ovaries of six sows (3-year-old Yorkshire pigs with similar weights and same parities). Bioinformatic analysis was used to screen potential genes and miRNAs related to porcine ovarian function. Real-time qualitative PCR was used to validate the sequencing results. RNA-Seq results showed that 3,078 genes were up-regulated, and 1,444 genes were down-regulated in the LP compared with the FP, and DEGs were significantly enriched in 242 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 33 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. miRNA-Seq identified 112 DEMs, of which 25 were up-regulated and 87 were down-regulated in the LP compared with the FP. We obtained 186 intersection genes (IGs) between the 4,522 DEGs and 2,444 target genes predicted from the 112 DEMs. After constructing a miRNA-gene-pathway network, we identified key miRNAs and genes including miR-17-3p, miR-214, miR-221-5p, miR-125b, FGF1, YWHAG, YWHAZ, FDFT1 and DHCR24, which are enriched in Hippo and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways, and various metabolic pathways. These results indicate that these key genes and miRNAs may play important roles in the developmental transition from FP to LP in porcine ovaries and represent candidate targets for further study.

Filtered reproductive long non-coding RNAs by genome-wide analyses of goat ovary at different estrus periods.

BACKGROUND: The goat is an important farm animal. Reproduction is an important process of goat farming. The ovary is the most important reproductive organ for goats. In recent years, an increasing number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of mammal reproduction. However, there are few studies on the function of lncRNAs in reproduction, particularly lncRNAs in the ovary. RESULTS: The sequencing of goat ovaries generated 1,122,014,112 clean reads, and 4926 lncRNAs and 1454 TUCPs (transcripts of uncertain coding potential) were identified for further analysis by using the coding potential analysis software, CNCI, CPC and Pfam-sca. There were 115 /22 differential lncRNAs /TUCPs transcripts between the ovaries of the luteal phase and the follicular phase. We predicted the related genes of lncRNA /TUCP based on co-expression and co-localization methods. In total, 2584 /904 genes were predicted by co-expression, and 326/73 genes were predicted by co-localization. The functions of these genes were further analyzed with GO and KEGG analysis. The results showed that lncRNAs /TUCPs, which are highly expressed in goat ovaries in the luteal phase, are mainly associated with the synthesis of progesterone, and we filtered the lncRNAs /TUCPs, such as XR_001918177.1 and TUCP_001362, which may regulate the synthesis of progesterone; lncRNAs /TUCPs, which are highly expressed in goat ovaries in the follicular phase, are mainly associated with oogenesis and the maturation of oocytes, and we filtered the lncRNAs /TUCPs that may regulate the oogenesis and maturation of oocyte, such as XR_001917388.1 and TUCP_000849. CONCLUSION: The present study provided the genome expression profile of lncRNAs /TUCPs in goat ovaries at different estrus periods and filtered the potential lncRNAs /TUCPs associated with goat reproduction. These results are helpful to further study the molecular mechanisms of goat reproduction.

Expression of Progesterone and Androgen Receptors in the Breast of Premenopausal Women, Considering Menstrual Phase.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone and androgens are important for normal development and tumorigenesis of the breast. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast tissue samples from 49 premenopausal women were obtained. The progesterone receptors (PRA, PRB, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2) and the androgen receptor (AR) were determined in malignant and benign breast tumors and control tissues. RESULTS: The PRB and AR mRNA levels were highest in tumors. PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 mRNA levels were higher in malignant tumors compared to their paired normal tissues. PRA protein showed most immunostaining in benign tumors. PRB immunostaining varied according to menstrual phase. AR immunostaining was highest in the glands of malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Progesterone and androgen receptors are differently regulated in tumors compared to normal breast tissues. A malignant breast tumor could appear PR-negative if collected in the luteal phase, but positive in the follicular phase. This finding may have clinical implications.

Heifers express G-protein coupled receptor 153 in anterior pituitary gonadotrophs in stage-dependent manner.

We recently found that orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR)153 is expressed in the anterior pituitary (AP) of heifers, leading us to speculate that GPR153 colocalizes with gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) in the plasma membrane of gonadotrophs and is expressed at specific times of the reproductive cycle. To test this hypothesis, we examined the coexpression of GnRHR, GPR153, and either luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone in AP tissue and cultured AP cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. GPR153 was detected in the gonadotrophs, and was colocalized with GnRHR in the plasma membrane. GPR153 was also detected in the cytoplasm of cultured gonadotrophs. Real-time PCR and western blot analyses found that expression was lower (P < 0.05) in AP tissues during early luteal phase as compared to pre-ovulation or late luteal phases. The 5'-flanking region of the GPR153 gene contained a consensus response element sequence for estrogen, but not for progesterone. These data suggest that some, but not all GPR153 colocalizes with GnRHR in the plasma membrane of gonadotrophs, and its expression changes stage-dependently in the bovine AP.

Transcriptome analysis reveals differences in mechanisms regulating cessation of luteal function in pregnant and non-pregnant dogs.

BACKGROUND: In the domestic dog, corpora lutea (CL) are the only source of progesterone (P4), both in pregnant and non-pregnant cycles because there is no placental steroidogenesis. The absence of an endogenous luteolysin in absence of pregnancy results in long-lasting physiological pseudopregnancy, strongly contrasting with the acute luteolysis observed prepartum. The underlying biological mechanisms and the involvement of P4 signalling remain, however, not fully understood. Therefore, here, next-generation sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on CL from the late luteal phase and compared with normally luteolyzing CL collected at the prepartum P4 decrease. RESULTS: The contrast "luteal regression over luteolysis" yielded 1595 differentially expressed genes (DEG). The CL in late luteal regression were predominantly associated with functional terms linked to extracellular matrix (p = 5.52e-05). Other terms related to transcriptional activity (p = 2.45e-04), and steroid hormone signalling (p = 2.29e-04), which were more highly represented in late regression than during luteolysis. The prepartum luteolysis was associated with immune inflammatory responses (p = 2.87e-14), including acute-phase reaction (p = 4.10e-06). Immune system-related events were also more highly represented in CL derived from normal luteolysis (p = 7.02e-04), compared with those from dogs in which luteolysis was induced with an antigestagen (1480 DEG in total). Additionally, the withdrawal of P4 at mid-gestation resulted in 92 DEG; over-represented terms enriched in antigestagen-treated dogs were related to the inflammatory response (p = 0.005) or response to IL1 (p = 7.29e-05). Terms related to proliferation, e.g., centrosome organization (p = 0.002) and steroid metabolic processes (p = 0.001), prevailed at mid-gestation. Thereby, our results revealed the nature of luteotropic effects of P4 within canine CL. It appears that, even though they result in diminished steroidogenic output, the effect of antigestagens is more related to the withdrawal of P4 support than to the PGF2alpha-related inflammatory reaction observed at physiological parturition. CONCLUSIONS: We report the differential gene expression associated with maintenance and cessation of luteal function in pregnant and non-pregnant dogs. Based on the differentially expressed genes, we indicate functional pathways and gene networks that are potentially involved in the underlying endocrine and molecular mechanisms. This study establishes future research directions that may be helpful in understanding some of the clinical conditions, such as luteal insufficiency, associated with negative pregnancy outcome in dogs.

TCTP regulates spindle assembly during postovulatory aging and prevents deterioration in mouse oocyte quality.

If no fertilization occurs for a prolonged time following ovulation, oocytes experience a time-dependent deterioration in quality both in vivo and in vitro due to processes called postovulatory aging. Because the postovulatory aging of oocytes has marked detrimental effects on embryo development and offspring, many efforts have been made to unveil the underlying mechanisms. Here we showed that translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) regulates spindle assembly during postovulatory aging and prevents deterioration in mouse oocyte quality. Spindle dynamics decreased with reduced TCTP level during aging of mouse oocytes. Knockdown of TCTP accelerated the reduction of spindle dynamics, accompanying with aging-related deterioration of oocyte quality. Conversely, overexpression of TCTP prevented aging-associated decline of spindle dynamics. Moreover, the aging-related abnormalities in oocytes were rescued after TCTP overexpression, thereby improving fertilization competency and subsequent embryo development. Therefore, our results demonstrate that TCTP-mediated spindle dynamics play a key role in maintaining oocyte quality during postovulatory aging and overexpression of TCTP is sufficient to prevent aging-associated abnormalities in mouse oocytes.

Differential gene expression profiling of endometrium during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle between a repeat breeder (RB) and non-RB cows.

BACKGROUND: Repeat breeding directly affects reproductive efficiency in cattle due to an increase in services per conception and calving interval. This study aimed to investigate whether changes in endometrial gene expression profile are involved in repeat breeding in cows. Differential gene expression profiles of the endometrium were investigated during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle between repeat breeder (RB) and non-RB cows using microarray analysis. METHODS: The caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrium of both ipsilateral and contralateral uterine horns to the corpus luteum were collected from RB (inseminated at least three times but not pregnant) and non-RB cows on Day 15 of the estrous cycle (4 cows/group). Global gene expression profiles of these endometrial samples were analyzed with a 15 K custom-made oligo-microarray for cattle. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the cellular localization of proteins of three identified transcripts in the endometrium. RESULTS: Microarray analysis revealed that 405 and 397 genes were differentially expressed in the CAR and ICAR of the ipsilateral uterine horn of RB, respectively when compared with non-RB cows. In the contralateral uterine horn, 443 and 257 differentially expressed genes were identified in the CAR and ICAR of RB, respectively when compared with non-RB cows. Gene ontology analysis revealed that genes involved in development and morphogenesis were mainly up-regulated in the CAR of RB cows. In the ICAR of both the ipsilateral and contralateral uterine horns, genes related to the metabolic process were predominantly enriched in the RB cows when compared with non-RB cows. In the analysis of the whole uterus (combining the data above four endometrial compartments), RB cows showed up-regulation of 37 genes including PRSS2, GSTA3 and PIPOX and down-regulation of 39 genes including CHGA, KRT35 and THBS4 when compared with non-RB cows. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CHGA, GSTA3 and PRSS2 proteins were localized in luminal and glandular epithelial cells and stroma of the endometrium. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that endometrial gene expression profiles are different between RB and non-RB cows. The identified candidate endometrial genes and functions in each endometrial compartment may contribute to bovine reproductive performance.

The expression of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 proteins regulating endometrial remodeling in the porcine endometrial tissues during follicular and luteal phase.

Endometrial remodeling is important for successful embryo development and implantation in pigs. Therefore, this study investigated change of proteins regulating endometrial remodeling on follicular and luteal phase in porcine endometrial tissues. The endometrial tissue samples were collected from porcine uterus during follicular and luteal phase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myoglobin and cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) proteins were expressed by immnofluorescence, immunoblotting, and determined by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF/MS. We found that VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 were strongly localized in endometrial tissues during luteal phase, but not follicular phase. The protein levels of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 in endometrial tissues were higher than luteal phase (P < 0.05). These results may provide understanding of intrauterine environment during estrous cycle in pigs, and will be used in animal reproduction for developing specific biomarkers in the future.