Nitric oxide induces apoptosis in bovine luteal cells

We previously showed in in vivo and in vitro studies that nitric oxide (NO) is engaged in luteolysis in cattle. Nitric oxide produced locally in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) inhibits progesterone (P4) synthesis and is suggested to be a component of the luteolytic cascade induced by uterine prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms of NO action during structural luteolysis were studied in cultured bovine luteal cells (Days 15-17 of the estrous cycle). The effects of the NO donor (NONOate; 10(-4)M) on DNA fragmentation, cell viability, P4 production and caspase-3 activity were compared with those of PGF2alpha (10(-6)M). Moreover, mobilization of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i and gene expressions of Fas-L, Fas, bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 in the cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR after NONOate treatment. Caspase-3 activity was examined calorimetrically. Contrary to PGF2alpha NONOate decreased cell viability. DNA fragmentation after NONOate treatment increased by more than with PGF22alpha. NONOate increased mobilization of [Ca2+]i in the cells. Although the NO donor did not affect Fas-L and bcl-2 gene expression, it stimulated Fas and bax mRNA and caspase-3 expression. The ratio of bcl-2 to bax mRNA level decreased in the cells treated with NONOate. Moreover, NONOate stimulated caspase-3 activity more effectively than PGF2alpha. The overall results suggest that NO is a luteolytic factor that plays a crucial role in regulation of the estrous cycle in structural luteolysis by inducing apoptosis of luteal cells in cattle.     

Inhibition of bovine luteal function by indomethacin

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of infusing indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, into the uterine lumen on the development and function of the bovine corpus luteum in the presence and absence of concurrently administered oxytocin. Each treatment was given twice daily on d 4, 5 and 6 of the estrous cycle. Treatments (six heifers/group) and resulting estrous cycle lengths were as follows: (1) untreated controls, 20.6 +/- .4 d; (2) .2 M phosphate buffer vehicle infused into the uterine lumen, 21.0 +/- .6 d; (3) 40 mg indomethacin infused into the body of the uterus, 16.5 +/- 1.0 d; (4) 150 USP units oxytocin injected sc, 10.0 +/- 1.2 d and (5) a combination of oxytocin and indomethacin as in treatments 3 and 4, 14.1 +/- 1.3 d. Plasma concentrations of progesterone were lower (P less than .05) in each treatment group from d 7 onward, when compared with untreated and vehicle-treated controls. Indomethacin alone effectively inhibited the development and function of the corpus luteum, and was without effect on oxytocin-induced inhibition of luteal function. In summary, it appears that a prostaglandin of either uterine or ovarian origin, or both, is required for the normal development and function of the bovine corpus luteum.     

Possible roles of intracellular cyclic AMP, protein kinase C and calcium ion in the apoptotic signaling pathway in bovine luteal cells

Structural luteolysis occurs by apoptosis of luteal cells. The present study examined the effects of activators of well-characterized second messengers on Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression and on P4 production in luteal cells in order to trace the pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). Cultured bovine mid luteal cells were treated for 24 h with a cyclic AMP analogue (8-bromo cyclic AMP; 8br-cAMP; 2.5 mM), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA; 10 microM), or calcium ionophore (A23187; 10 microM). Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression was inhibited by 8br-cAMP and PMA but was increased by A23187 (P<0.05). In addition, P4 production by bovine luteal cells was stimulated by 8br-cAMP and PMA, whereas it was inhibited by A23187, compared with untreated controls (P<0.05). The overall results suggest that cAMP and PKC suppress apoptosis in bovine luteal cells through inhibition of Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression and through stimulation of P4 production. Therefore, substances that activate cAMP or PKC may act as survival factors in the bovine CL. Furthermore, substances that mobilize Ca2+ may act as apoptotic factors by stimulating Fas and caspase-3 expression in the bovine luteal cells.     

Changes and interrelationships among luteal LH receptors, adenylate cyclase activity and phosphodiesterase activity during the bovine estrous cycle

Changes and interrelationships among the cellular mechanisms that may regulate luteal progesterone synthesis during the bovine estrous cycle were studied. Corpora lutea (CL) were enucleated from 30 cows via a transvaginal incision on d 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 19 following estrus (estrus = d 0). Mean corpus luteum weight, and luteal progesterone and plasma progesterone concentrations increased (P less than .05) from d 4 to 7 or 10, and declined following luteal regression (d 19). Unoccupied LH receptor (UOR) concentrations increased (P less than .05) more than fourfold from d 4 (38 fmol/mg protein) to d 16 (173 fmol/mg protein) before declining (P less than .05) by d 19 (30 fmol/mg protein). The dissociation constant for UOR concentrations increased (P less than .05) during the estrous cycle. Concentrations of occupied LH receptors (OR) were less (P less than .05) on d 7 than other days; however, the total number of OR/CL increased fourfold from d 4 (47 fmol/CL) to d 10 (221 fmol/CL) and remained similar thereafter. Basal adenylate cyclase, LH-activated adenylate cyclase, and Gpp(NH)p-activated adenylate cyclase activities were greatest (P less than .05) on d 7 to 16 as compared with d 4 and 19. Luteinizing hormone stimulated (P less than .05) adenylate cyclase activity relative to basal activity on d 7, 10, 13, and 16; whereas, Gpp(NH)p stimulated (P less than .05) adenylate cyclase activity relative to basal activity at each period. Phosphodiesterase was 46% greater on d 19 as compared with d 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationships between LH and estradiol-17 beta after removal of luteal progesterone in the ewe

Three experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between systemic concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol-17 beta (E2) after withdrawal of progesterone in cycling ewes. In Exp. 1, ewes were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: laparotomy (C), removal of the luteal ovary (ULO), or ULO plus anesthesia with sodium pentobarbital for 6 h beginning 4 h after surgery. Anesthesia was used in an attempt to block the expected increase in tonic secretion of LH. Patterns of LH and E2 in these three groups did not differ during the 24-h experimental period. In Exp. 2, a longer period of anesthesia was utilized. Forty-eight ewes were assigned at random to one of four treatments: C, ULO, lutectomy or an intrafollicular injection of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). One-half of the ewes in each group were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital from initiation of treatment (0 h) until 10 h after surgery. Sodium pentobarbital did not suppress the increases in LH and E2 after progesterone withdrawal. The regression of concentrations of E2 on concentration of LH was not significant. In Exp. 3, ewes were infused with either saline or dopamine after receiving an im injection of PGF2 alpha. Tonic secretion of LH increased after 4 h in ewes infused with saline, but not in ewes infused with dopamine. Despite the suppression of LH, concentrations of E2 increased in dopamine-treated ewes as in control ewes. Therefore, the initial increase in E2 after a decline of progesterone in cycling ewes is independent of increases in LH.     

Escherichia coli isolated from bovine mastitis invade mammary cells by a modified endocytic pathway

Escherichia coli is a major pathogen in the aetiology of bovine mastitis. Although classically considered to be an environmental pathogen causing mainly transient infection, the incidence of persistent E. coli mastitis infections may be increasing, suggesting an adaptation of this pathogen to the bovine udder environment. Mastitis E. coli strains have been demonstrated to enter bovine mammary cells in vitro but little is known about the invasion mechanism or the intracellular fate of the bacteria. In order to further understand the pathogenesis of persistent E. coli bovine mastitis we investigated the intracellular trafficking of mastitis E. coli isolates in primary bovine mammary cells using confocal microscopy and fluorescent markers of endocytic compartments. Consistent with other studies, mastitis E. coli were found to invade primary bovine mammary cells in vitro. This process did not involve in the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Intracellular bacteria were observed within membrane-bound compartments that labelled with the early endosomal marker phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) and also within late endosome-like compartments labelled with the small GTPase Rab7, indicating an endocytic mechanism of bacterial internalization. Bacteria were not observed within acidified lysosomal compartments or autophagic vacuoles, suggesting that the internalized bacteria are not targeted for lysosomal degradation via either the classical endocytic pathway or the autophagic response. Our findings are consistent with an endosomal survival niche for the internalized bacteria, allowing them to evade host immune responses and establish an infection reservoir that could later re-emerge as a recurrent clinical mastitis episode.     

The stimulation of testosterone and LH secretion by synthetic GnRH in the male Cape porcupine

The effects of GnRH stimulation on plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in Cape porcupine males were examined by analysing plasma collected before and after an intravenous injection of GnRH. In six mature males and one subadult, which were given an intravenous injection of 0,5 ml saline, levels of plasma testosterone and LH did not increase. Four weeks later an intravenous GnRH challenge (40 μ?) caused plasma testosterone to rise three-fold and LH to rise 10-15-fold within 180 min in five of the mature males. Peaks of plasma testosterone and LH occurred 90 and 120 min, respectively, after stimulation, and baseline and peak levels of both hormones were significantly related.     

Stimulation of bovine luteal oxytocin secretion in vitro by a phorbol ester and calcium ionophore

Experiments were conducted to examine the in vitro effects of a phorbol ester and a calcium ionophore on bovine luteal oxytocin (OT) secretion and synthesis and progesterone secretion. Corpora lutea removed from beef heifers on d 8 of an estrous cycle were sliced and incubated for 2 h with .81 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 1.62 nM TPA or .3 microM calcium ionophore A23187. Both concentrations of TPA increased (P less than .01) OT secretion (ng.g-1.2 h-1; control, 407.1; .81 nM TPA, 494.7; 1.62 nM TPA, 528.1; SE = 21.2). Increased secretion of OT was accompanied by a corresponding increase (P less than .02) in synthesis of the hormone (ng.g-1.2 h-1; control, 368.5; .81 nM TPA, 427.6; 1.62 nM TPA, 492.1; SE = 25.7). Phorbol ester also induced (P less than .025) progesterone secretion (ng.g-1.2 h-1; control, 1,056.2 vs .81 nM TPA, 1,333.3; SE = 86.4). Calcium ionophore increased (P less than .01) OT secretion (ng.g-1.2 h-1; control, 248.9 vs A23187, 327.4; SE = 16) and there was a trend (P = .09) toward increased synthesis of OT in response to the ionophore (control, 124.4 vs A23187, 165.6; SE = 16.4). Because TPA can activate protein kinase C and A23187 increases intracellular calcium, these intracellular constituents probably are involved in promoting secretion of OT and progesterone.     

Effects of prostaglandin F(2alpha) and nitric oxide on the secretory function of bovine luteal cells

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF (2alpha)) and nitric oxide (NO) on production of steroids and PGs by culturing bovine luteal cells obtained from ovaries on days 8-12 of the estrous cycle with a nitric oxide (NO) donor (Spermine NONOate), and a NO synthase inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester dihydrochloride: L-NAME). When the cells were exposed for 24 h to PGF(2alpha) (10(-7)-10(-5) M), production of progesterone (P(4)) increased significantly at all doses used (P<0.05). Moreover, PGF(2alpha) stimulated PGF(2alpha) production (P<0.01), depressed testosterone (T) production (P<0.05), but did not affect synthesis of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Spermine NONOate decreased P(4) production to 66%, 47% and 34% of the control concentration after treatment with 10(-5) M, 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M, respectively, but did not affect T production, and increased PGF(2alpha) synthesis (P<0.05) and PGE(2) (P<0.01) at all doses used. L-NAME increased production of P(4) (P<0.01) but did not affect (P>0.05) secretion of T, PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2). Estradiol-17beta (E(2)) was detectable on the level of sensitivity of assay and was not significantly altered by any treatments. The overall results suggest that PGF(2alpha) and NO produced locally in bovine CL play roles in the regulation of the secretory function of the bovine CL as auto/paracrine factors.     

Influence of polychlorinated biphenyls on the secretion of oxytocin from bovine luteal cells and from granulosa cells obtained from the follicles of different size

Effect of polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) on viability and secretory function of luteal and granulosa cells from mature cows was studied. Luteal cells from corpora lutea of different developmental stages and granulosa cells from follicles of >1 cm< in diameter were used. Neither individual congeners (PCB-126, -77, -153) nor mixture of PCBs Aroclor Ar) 1248 at the dose of 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml affected the viability of cells (P>0.05) compared to control after 72 h of incubation. PCBs markedly increased (P<0.05-0.001) oxytocin (OT) secretion from granulosa cells. This effect was the most evident when granulosa cells from follicles <1 cm diameter was treated with PCB-77 which is assumed to stimulate both arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estradiol (E2) receptor. Even the lowest dose of this compound (1 ng/ml) outranged the effect produced by cortisol (10(-5)M) used as positive control. There was marked effect (P<0.05-0.001) of PCBs on luteal cells from days 6-15 of the estrous cycle. However, influence of PCBs on OT secretion from luteal cells on day 1-5 and 16-18 of the estrous cycle was less evident. Again, PCB-77 was the most efficient stimulator of OT secretion. While the lowest effect was found after treatment of cells with PCB-126 which has dioxin-like properties. It can be assumed that diverse effect of PCBs on female reproduction largely results from the influence of these compounds on ovarian OT secretion. Since both synthesis and secretion of ovarian OT in bovine do not markedly depend on estradiol, some alternative cellular pathways of PCBs on ovary function are suggested.     

Monocytes are required for optimum in vitro stimulation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells by non-methylated CpG motifs

Bacterial DNA and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated CpG motifs within certain flanking base pairs are recognized as a danger signal by the innate immune system of vertebrates. Using lymphocyte proliferative response (LPR) and IFN-gamma secretion assays, a panel of 38 ODN was screened for immunostimulatory activity on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. ODN composed of a nuclease resistant phosphorothioate backbone and a leading 5'-TCGTCGTT-3' motif with two 5'-GTCGTT-3' motifs were highly stimulatory in both assays. Flow cytometric analysis and cell-specific surface marker labeling determined that B-cells (surface IgM(+)) were the primary cell population responding in the LPR assay. Depletion of T cells (CD3(+)) from the PBMC population did not affect IFN-gamma secretion or B-cell proliferation when cultured with CpG-ODN. However, depletion of monocytes (DH59B(+)) completely abrogated the ability of CpG-ODN to stimulate IFN-gamma secretion, and significantly reduced the B-cell proliferative response. These data establish the identity of an optimal immunostimulatory CpG motif for cattle and demonstrate that monocytes play a pivotal role in the ability of cell populations to respond to CpG-ODN. These data provide insight for future studies investigating the mechanism of CpG-ODN bioactivity and its application in novel vaccine formulations and immunotherapy.     

Opsonin-dependent stimulation of bovine neutrophil oxidative metabolism by Brucella abortus

Nonopsonized Brucella abortus and bacteria treated with fresh antiserum, heat-inactivated antiserum, or normal bovine serum were evaluated for their ability to stimulate production of superoxide anion and myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination by neutrophils from cattle. Brucella abortus opsonized with fresh antiserum or heat-inactivated antiserum stimulated production of approximately 3 nmol of O2-/10(6) neutrophils/30 min. Similarly treated bacteria also stimulated the binding of approximately 4.3 nmol of NaI/10(7) neutrophils/h to protein. Significant (P less than 0.05) production of O2- and iodination activity by neutrophils were not stimulated by nonopsonized bacteria or organisms treated with normal bovine serum. Seemingly, B abortus stimulated oxidative metabolism in bovine neutrophils; however, the stimulation was dependent on the presence of bacterial associated opsonins.     

Effects of storage and passage of bovine luteal endothelial cells on endothelin-1 and prostaglandin F2alpha production

To establish a storage system for isolated bovine luteal endothelial cells (LECs), we investigated the basal and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha-stimulated production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha in unfrozen and frozen-thawed LECs until passage 10. LECs were obtained from developing corpora lutea (CL; days 5-7 of the estrous cycle) using enzymatic digestion and magnetic beads coated with lectin BS-1. The LECs were frozen at -80 C or further cultured and/or passaged until passage 10 in DMEM/Ham's F-12 supplemented with 10% calf serum. The hormonal productions of unfrozen and frozen/thawed LECs were compared through passages 2-10. When both the unfrozen and frozen/thawed cells reached confluence, the culture medium was replaced with fresh medium containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the cells were incubated with TNFalpha (50 ng/ml) for 12 h. The basal productions of ET-1 and PGF2alpha by the unfrozen and frozen/thawed LECs were similar at passage 2. The basal production of PGF2alpha by LECs was not altered by passage and storage at -80 C, whereas the basal production of ET-1 decreased from passage 2 and 3 to passage 4 in the unfrozen LECs and from passage 2 to passage 3 in the frozen/thawed LECs. However, production of ET-1 by the unfrozen and frozen/thawed LECs was similar between passages 4-10 and passages 3-10, respectively. Exposure of LECs to TNFalpha increased (P<0.05) ET-1 and PGF2alpha production by the unfrozen and frozen-thawed LECs in all passages examined. Thus, LECs obtained from developing CLs and stored until passage 10 can be used for study of the physiology of LECs in vitro.     

Regional differences in concentrations of LHRH receptors,LH and FSH in the bovine adenohypophysis

Pituitaries from intact luteal phase (INT) and ovariectomized (OVX) cows were collected at slaughter to determine whether differences exist among regions of the bovine adenohypophysis in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and receptors for luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). Each adenohypophysis was divided into three paired regions (anterior, AT; medial, M; posterior, PT) by first making a midsagittal cut followed by two transverse cuts of approximately equal size. Values for all variables were similar between paired regions. Mean LHRH receptor, LH and FSH concentrations were greater in OVX than INT adenohypophyseal regions. Receptor and gonadotropin concentrations differed among all three regions and were greatest in the AT, intermediate in the M and lowest in the PT regions of the adenohypophysis. There were significant correlations between LHRH receptor concentrations and concentrations of LH and FSH among the three adenohypophyseal regions for both INT and OVX cows. Therefore, to accurately characterize LHRH receptors from the bovine adenohypophysis, a midsagittal-half of the gland should be used for analysis.     

FSH up-regulates angiogenic factors in luteal cells of buffaloes

Follicle-stimulating hormone has been widely used to induce superovulation in buffaloes and cows and usually triggers functional and morphologic alterations in the corpus luteum (CL). Several studies have shown that FSH is involved in regulating vascular development and that adequate angiogenesis is essential for normal luteal development. Angiogenesis is regulated by many growth factors, of which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) have an established central role. Therefore, we have used a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the effects of FSH on the expression of VEGF and FGF2 and their receptors in buffalo luteal cells. The in vivo model consisted of 12 buffalo cows, divided into control (n = 6) and superovulated (n = 6) groups, and CL samples were collected on day 6 after ovulation. In this model, we analyzed the gene and protein expression of FGF2 and its receptors and the protein expression of VEGFA systems with the use of real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. In the in vitro model, granulosa cells were collected from small follicles (diameter, 4–6 mm) of buffaloes and cultured for 4 d in serum-free medium with or without FSH (10 ng/mL). To induce in vitro luteinization, LH (250 ng/mL) and fetal bovine serum (10%) were added to the medium, and granulosa cells were maintained in culture for 4 d more. The progesterone concentration in the medium was measured at days 4, 5, and 8 after the beginning of cell culture. Cells were collected at day 8 and subjected to real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence for assessment of the expression of FGF2, VEGF, and their receptors. To address the percentage of steroidogenic and growth factor-expressing cells in the culture, flow cytometry was performed. We observed that in superovulated buffalo CL, the FGF2 system mRNA expression was decreased even as protein expression was increased and that the VEGF protein was increased (P < 0.05). In vitro experiments with granulosa cells showed an increase in the mRNA expression of VEGF and FGF2 and its receptors 1 and 2 and protein expression of VEGF, kinase insert domain receptor, FGF receptor 2, and FGF receptor 3 in cells treated with FSH (P < 0.05), in contrast to the in vivo experiments. Moreover, the progesterone production by FSH-treated cells was elevated compared with untreated cells (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that VEGF, FGF2, and their receptors were differentially regulated by FSH in vitro and in vivo in buffalo luteal cells, which points toward a role of CL environment in modulating cellular answers to gonadotropins.     

Maturation of bovine dendritic cells by lipopeptides

The response of DC, and the subsequent stimulation of T cells, is an essential part of the initiation of immune responses following microbial challenge. The response of human DC to bacterial lipopeptides is mediated by toll-like receptor 2, and is characterised by DC maturation and the enhanced capacity to stimulate of T cells. We report here that bovine DC are also induced to mature following lipopeptide stimulation. Exposure of DC to the model lipopeptide Pam3CSK4 was associated with increased expression of MHC, costimulatory molecules, and enhanced secretion of IL-12 and TNFalpha. Lipopeptide-matured DC were superior in their ability to induce T cell activation and IFNgamma secretion. In contrast, exposure of MPhi to lipopeptides induced down-regulation of MHC expression and much lower increases in IL-12 secretion. A lipopeptide derived from the sequence of a relevant mycobacterial lipoprotein, MPB83, also influenced bovine DC by stimulating increases in IL-12 and TNFalpha secretion. These different changes in bovine DC and MPhi may have important implications for immune responses induced following bacterial infection with uptake of microbes by DC resulting in potentiation of their immunostimulatory capacity and uptake by MPhi having a much less marked effect on immune responses.     

Effect of the preovulatory LH surge on bovine follicular progesterone receptor mRNA expression

A growing body of evidence indicates that intrafollicular progesterone receptor signaling pathways are obligatory for follicle rupture. However, the intrafollicular localization and regulation of progesterone receptor expression during the periovulatory period in cattle are not known. In this study, we determined the effect of the preovulatory gonadotropin surge on localization and expression of progesterone receptor mRNA in bovine periovulatory follicular and luteal tissue. Ovaries containing preovulatory follicles or new corpora lutea (CL) were collected at approximately 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 (preovulatory follicles) and 48 h (CL) after a GnRH-induced LH surge (n=5-8 per timepoint). Expression of progesterone receptor mRNA was detected in periovulatory follicular and luteal tissue at all timepoints examined. Relative levels of progesterone receptor mRNA were dramatically upregulated within 6h after the LH surge compared to all other time points (P<0.0001). In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the significant increase in progesterone receptor mRNA expression was localized to the granulosal layer of preovulatory follicles. Our results indicate that progesterone receptor mRNA expression is upregulated specifically in the granulosal layer of bovine preovulatory follicles following the LH surge. Progesterone receptor signaling pathways may help mediate the effects of the preovulatory LH surge on follicle rupture in cattle.