Uterine Expression of WNT7A and β-catenin After Induction of Oestrus in Sheep

WNT7A and β-catenin localisations and roles in regulating periimplantation ovine conceptus development under natural estrous conditions have been elaborated.However,their locations and expression patterns have not been reported under induction of oestrus.The localisation,expression and function of WNT7A and β-catenin in the uterine tissues of the early pregnant and non-pregnant sheep on days 10,12,14,16 and 18 following artificial induction of oestrus were investigated by means of in situ hybridisation,real-time RT-PCR,immuno-histochemistry and western blotting methods.WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein were both restricted to the apical surfaces of the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE).In pregnant sheep,protein localisation of WNT7A and β-catenin was observed both in the endometrial LE and GE.Their staining presented on day 10,increased between day 12 and day 16,and decreased on day 18.WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression increased initially and then decreased from day 10 to day 18,peaking on day 16,and β-catenin reaching a peak on day 18 in the uterine tissues of pregnant sheep (p0.05).By contrast,no significant changes in WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression levels were observed from day 10 to day 18 of the oestrus cycle in the uterine tissues of non-pregnant sheep (p0.05).Additionally,WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression levels in the uterine tissues of the early pregnant sheep were significantly higher than those of non-pregnant sheep (p0.05).Treatment of endometrial epithelial cells with WNT7A increased the mRNA expressions of β-catenin,c-myc and Cyclin D1.These results provided an underlying mechanism of periimplantation ovine conceptus development under induction of oestrus.

Uterine Expression of WNT7A and β-catenin After Induction of Oestrus in Sheep

WNT7A and β-catenin localisations and roles in regulating periimplantation ovine conceptus development under natural estrous conditions have been elaborated. However, their locations and expression patterns have not been reported under induction of oestrus. The localisation, expression and function of WNT7A and β-catenin in the uterine tissues of the early pregnant and non-pregnant sheep on days 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 following artificial induction of oestrus were investigated by means of in situ hybridisation, real-time RT-PCR, immuno-histochemistry and western blotting methods. WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein were both restricted to the apical surfaces of the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE). In pregnant sheep, protein localisation of WNT7A and β-catenin was observed both in the endometrial LE and GE. Their staining presented on day 10, increased between day 12 and day 16, and decreased on day 18. WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression increased initially and then decreased from day 10 to day 18, peaking on day 16, and β-catenin reaching a peak on day 18 in the uterine tissues of pregnant sheep (p<0.05). By contrast, no significant changes in WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression levels were observed from day 10 to day 18 of the oestrus cycle in the uterine tissues of non-pregnant sheep (p<0.05). Additionally, WNT7A and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression levels in the uterine tissues of the early pregnant sheep were significantly higher than those of non-pregnant sheep (p<0.05). Treatment of endometrial epithelial cells with WNT7A increased the mRNA expressions of β-catenin, c-myc and Cyclin D1. These results provided an underlying mechanism of periimplantation ovine conceptus development under induction of oestrus.