Changes in oestrogen,progesterone and epidermal growth factor receptor concentrations and affinities during the oestrous cycle in the normal mammary gland and uterus of dogs

Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) were studied in mammary glands of healthy bitches with regard to age, the location in the mammary chain and the stage of the oestrous cycle. Uterus was used as the reference tissue for the evaluation of steroid receptors. Mammary and uterine samples from 7 healthy bitches were taken at five stages of the oestrous cycle in such a way that all the locations in the mammary chain were represented at each stage of the cycle (10 samples/dog). ER, PR and EGF-R were detected by biochemical assays using increasing concentrations of tritiated (steroids) or iodinated (EGF) ligands. A significant direct correlation was found between the ER and PR concentrations for mammary and uterine samples. No significant correlation was found between the steroid receptors and EGF-R concentrations. Mammary ER concentrations were significantly higher in bitches of 5 years of age or older than in younger ones; in posterior glands (4th and 5th pairs) than in anterior glands; and in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary PR did not vary significantly with age or location but was significantly lower in the early luteal phase than in other phases. A similar decrease in PR concentrations was observed in the uterus during the early luteal phase and uterine ER and PR concentrations were very low in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary EGF-R were not significantly higher in the early or mid-luteal phase than in pro-oestrus or anoestrus.The differences observed between the uterine and mammary steroid receptor concentrations during the oestrous cycle could be due to different mechanisms for regulating steroid receptor expression in the two tissues. Mammary EGF-R concentrations may be linked, as in other species, to cellular proliferation and/or to the serum progesterone concentrations.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - EGF epidermal growth factor - EGF-R receptor for epidermal growth factor - ER oestrogen receptor - K _d dissociation constant - LH luteinizing hormone - p probability of error - PR progesterone receptor     

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells in bovine endometrium during follicular phase of oestrous cycle

Stem cells have been postulated as responsible for cell regeneration in highly and continuously regenerative tissues such as the endometrium. Few studies in cattle have identified and specified the presence of stem cells in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the bovine endometrium during the follicular phase (FP) of the oestrous cycle. Uterine tissue was collected in the time‐frame comprising day 18 of the cycle and ovulation (day 0). We isolated, cultured and expanded four primary cell lines from endometrium and identified byRT‐qPCR the expression of OCT4, SOX2 but not NANOG (undifferentiated/embryonic markers), CD44 (MSCs marker) and c‐KIT (stem cell marker) genes; and the encoded Oct4, Sox2 and Cd44 proteins by Western blot or immunostaining of paraffin‐embedded tissue in endometrium. We demonstrated that cells isolated from bovine endometrium displayed essentially the same gene expression pattern; however, at the protein level, Oct4 and Cd44 were not detected. Besides, they showed typical functional characteristics of MSCs such as fibroblast‐like morphology, plastic adherence, high proliferative capacity, clone formation in vitro and the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. We obtained for the first time an extensive characterization of undifferentiated cells populations contained in the bovine endometrium during the FP of the oestrous cycle.     

Expression of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle

The Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is a conserved signalling pathway that regulates gene expression and controls diverse developmental processes such as cell fate specification, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. To our knowledge, the potential role of this pathway in the adult ovary has been poorly addressed. To this end, we investigated the expression pattern of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle by real‐time Q‐PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In this study, we used uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA level as two markers for classification of mouse oestrous cycle. We found that both uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA are the highest in the proestrus and decrease from oestrus to diestrus. During oestrous cycle, Frizzled 2 mRNA and protein exhibited the highest level in the proestrus stage and rapidly reduced from oestrus to diestrus. In situ hybridization results showed that the positive signals for Frizzled 2 are highly detected in the oocyte and stroma in proestrus stage, while moderate or weak Frizzled 2 mRNAs are localized in the oocyte, granulosa cells, stroma and corpus luteum from oestrus to diestrus. The localization pattern of Frizzled 2 protein is mostly consistent with its mRNA, but stronger Frizzled 2 proteins are present in the granulosa cells and membrane of oocyte in oestrous cycle. Our data suggest that Frizzled 2 may be involved in regulating follicle growth, oocyte maturation and luteinization during oestrous cycle.     

Bovine uterine, cervical and ovarian androgen receptor concentrations. Correlation with estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations.

Bovine cytosol androgen receptor (ARC) concentrations were examined simultaneously in various regions of the uterus and in ovarian tissues of cows, and were related to cytosol estrogen (ERC) and progesterone receptor (PRC) concentrations and circulating steroid levels. ERC concentrations were 3-7-fold and PRC concentrations 13-29-fold those of ARC in bovine endometrial and myometrial tissues. When serum progesterone levels were low, both endometrial and myometrial ARC, endometrial ERC, and endometrial and myometrial PRC concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) than those observed during higher progesterone concentrations. Because serum 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) concentrations were higher during the luteal phase, it is possible that ARC was down-regulated by this natural ligand at this phase of the cycle. There were no differences between uterine horns in endometrial or myometrial ARC concentrations. Bovine cervical and ovarian stromal tissue also contained ARC, and the concentrations were about the same as in the endometrium and the myometrium. The relative binding affinities (RBAs) of some steroid hormones towards ARC in vitro were: the synthetic compound R1881 (146%), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (100%), testosterone (75%) while estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and dexamethasone had lower RBAs (2, < 1, < 1% respectively). Cytosol androgen receptor concentrations correlated significantly with cytosol progesterone (PRC) and estrogen receptor (ERC) concentrations, both in the endometrium and myometrium. These data show that androgens, such as 5 alpha-DHT, may participate the endocrine regulation of bovine reproductive tissues.     

Expression and regulation of Enpp2 in rat uterus during the estrous cycle

Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiestrase 2 (Enpp2) isolated from the supernatant of human melanoma cells is a lysophospholipase D that transforms lysophosphatidylcholine into lysophospatidic acid. Although multiple analyses have investigated the function of Enpp2 in the hypothalamus, its role in the uterus during the estrous cycle is not well understood. In the present study, rat uterine Enpp2 was analyzed by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that uterine Enpp2 mRNA was decreased during estrus compared to proestrus and diestrus. To determine whether uterine Enpp2 expression is affected by sex steroid hormones, immature rats were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), progesterone, or both on postnatal days 14 to 16. Interestingly, the expression of Enpp2 mRNA and protein were down-regulated by E2 in the uterus during estrus but not during proestrus or diestrus, suggesting that Enpp2 may play a role in uterine function during estrus. Enpp2 is primarily localized in the stromal cells of the endometrium during proestrus and estrus. During diestrus, Enpp2 was highly expressed in the epithelial cells of the endometrium. Taken together, these results suggest that uterine Enpp2 may be regulated by E2 and plays a role in reproductive functions during female rat development.     

The post-ovulatory rise in progesterone is lower and the persistence of oestrous behaviour longer during the first compared with the second cycle of the breeding season in mares

Mares are seasonally polyoestrous breeders. Therefore, the first ovulation of the season, following winter anoestrus, is the only cycle in which mares ovulate without the presence of an old CL from the previous cycle. The objective of this study was to compare the length of oestrous behaviour, and plasma progesterone concentrations during the early post-ovulatory period between mares after the first and second ovulation of the breeding season. Overall, 38 mares and 167 oestrous periods were used in the study. From those, 11 mares were used during the first and subsequent oestrous period to measure and compare the post-ovulatory rise in progesterone concentration, whereas all the mares were used to compare the length of the post-ovulatory oestrous behaviour between the first and subsequent cycles of the breeding season. The persistence of the post-ovulatory oestrus was longer (p < .001) following the first ovulation of the year (median of 52 h) compared with the subsequent ovulations (median of 36 h for second and later ovulations groups; n = 38 mares). The progesterone concentration at any of the four 8 h-intervals analysed (28, 36, 76 and 84 h post-ovulation) was lower (p < .01) following the first versus the second ovulation of the year. By 36 h post-ovulation the progesterone concentration of mares at the second ovulation of the year had passed the threshold of 2 ng/ml (2.1 ± 0.33 ng/ml), whereas in the first cycle it was 1.2 ± 0.13 ng/ml. In conclusion, mares had lower progesterone concentrations in their peripheral circulation and longer persistence of oestrous behaviour following the first ovulation of the year compared with the second and subsequent ovulatory periods of the breeding season.     

The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real-time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.     

Immunohistochemical localization of androgen and oestrogen receptors in canine hair follicles

Skin biopsies from seven different body sites were obtained from 21 dogs of different breeds (short, normal, long hair), which were presented for euthanasia. Commercially available polyclonal antibodies were used for the immunohistochemical detection of androgen and oestrogen receptors. Both receptors showed a similar distribution in canine skin, with specific intranuclear staining. In the epidermis, the percentage of androgen receptor (AR)-positive cells, but not that of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive cells, was significantly higher in samples from the thorax and the flank. In the dermal papilla, the percentage of ER-positive (but not AR-positive) cells was significantly lower in biopsies from the flank. No significant difference was found for both receptors between the locations in the outer root sheath, among the three different hair types, between sex and between intact and castrated dogs.     

Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA-Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.     

促黄体素受体在母畜生殖道的分布与表达

在多种动物包括灵长类动物、猪、牛、火鸡和人,子宫内都发现有促黄体素(LH)或人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)及其mRNA的结合位点.牛、猪在整个发情周期子宫内都存在LH受体(LHR)蛋白及其mRNA,并在黄体期表达最高.LH通过激活腺苷酸环化酶和磷脂酶C信号途径,增加前列腺素合成酶(PGSH),也称环加氧酶(COX)的活性,从而促进前列腺素(PG)的合成.牛、猪、羊在发情周期的15 d左右PGF2α升高,这与子宫内LHR的活化有关.在不同种动物的输卵管、子宫内膜、子宫肌层和子宫颈,LHR的释放呈现出动态特征,表明LH在发情周期和胚胎附植的分子自分泌-旁分泌调节中可能具有重要的作用.     

Expression of estrogen receptor 1 and progesterone receptor in primary goat mammary epithelial cells

The exact role and sensitivity of cells to estrogen and progesterone mediated through the steroid receptors during lactation is not known. Expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) was quantified in mammary tissue‐derived primary goat mammary epithelial cells (pgMECs) to determine the influence of donor tissue physiology (lactating and juvenile) and cell culture growth conditions (basal and lactogenic) on ESR1 and PGR expression in the derived cells. Relative messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for both receptors were the highest in cell lines derived from mammary tissue of juvenile goats. Maintaining pgMECs in lactogenic conditions resulted in up‐regulation of ESR1 (1.36‐ to 12.35‐fold) and in down‐regulation of PGR (‐2.53‐ to ‐3.62‐fold), compared to basal conditions. Based on Western blotting analysis we suggest that the differences in mRNA expression are translated to the protein level. We suggest that differential expression in lactating conditions is correlated with terminal differentiation of the pgMECs. Double immunostainings showed that estrogen receptor alpha (ER‐α) positive cells do not exclusively belong to the luminal lineage and that ER‐α and PGR can be expressed individually or co‐expressed in the pgMECs. The derived primary cultures/lines in early passages are hormone‐responsive and represent a useful surrogate for mammary tissue in research experiments.     

神经元特异性烯醇化酶在大鼠动情周期子宫中的分布

选择健康、未产、体重220-250g成年雌性SD大鼠，采用阴道涂片方法鉴定其动情周期，并采用免疫组织化学SP法研究了神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）在大鼠动情周期子宫内分布的变化规律。结果显示，子宫各层均有不同程度NSE免疫阳性产物分布，并随动情周期的变化表现出一定的规律：各期子宫内膜黏膜上皮细胞、腺上皮细胞、基质细胞、血管内皮细胞及肥大细胞等NSE免疫阳性细胞数量变化不大，但着色深浅有一定差别，动情期着色最深，动情后期、动情间期、动情前期着色依次减弱；肌层和子宫外膜中，动情期着色最深，动情后期着色最浅，动情间期表达量明显回升，动情前期比动情期着色稍浅。表明，NSE在子宫中的分布可能受性类固醇激素的调节。     

Estradiol stimulates glycogen synthesis whereas progesterone promotes glycogen catabolism in the uterus of the American mink (Neovison vison)

Glycogen synthesis by mink uterine glandular and luminal epithelia (GE and LE) is stimulated by estradiol (E₂) during estrus. Subsequently, the glycogen deposits are mobilized to near completion to meet the energy requirements of pre‐embryonic development and implantation by as yet undetermined mechanisms. We hypothesized that progesterone (P₄) was responsible for catabolism of uterine glycogen reserves as one of its actions to ensure reproductive success. Mink were treated with E₂, P₄ or vehicle (controls) for 3 days and uteri collected 24 h (E₂, P₄ and vehicle) and 96 h (E₂) later. To evaluate E₂ priming, mink were treated with E₂ for 3 days, then P₄ for an additional 3 days (E₂→P₄) and uteri collected 24 h later. Percent glycogen content of uterine epithelia was greater at E₂ + 96 h (GE = 5.71 ± 0.55; LE = 11.54 ± 2.32) than E₂+24 h (GE = 3.63 ± 0.71; LE = 2.82 ± 1.03), and both were higher than controls (GE = 0.27 ± 0.15; LE = 0.54 ± 0.30; P < 0.05). Treatment as E₂→P₄ reduced glycogen content (GE = 0.61 ± 0.16; LE = 0.51 ± 0.13), to levels not different from controls, while concomitantly increasing catabolic enzyme (glycogen phosphorylase m and glucose‐6‐phosphatase) gene expression and amount of phospho‐glycogen synthase protein (inactive) in uterine homogenates. Interestingly, E₂→P₄ increased glycogen synthase 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and hexokinase 1mRNA and protein. Our findings suggest to us that while E₂ promotes glycogen accumulation by the mink uterus during estrus and pregnancy, it is P₄ that induces uterine glycogen catabolism, releasing the glucose that is essential to support pre‐embryonic survival and implantation.     

鲁西黄牛发情周期和产后期外周血浆孕酮水平

在鲁西黄牛母牛的发情周期和产后期（产犊至产后６０ｄ）收集颈静脉血样，用放射免疫分析法测定血浆孕酮（Ｐ４）水平。结果表明，母牛的发情周期平均为（２１．２±１．６）ｄ，发情当天（０ｄ）外周血浆孕酮水平为（０．５２±１．４）μｇ／Ｌ，在周期的９～１５ｄ，孕酮水平较高，其峰值为（４．６２±１．５６）μｇ／Ｌ（ｎ＝１５），在周期的约１８ｄ以后，孕酮水平迅速下降，至周期的２１ｄ降至发情开始时的水平；母牛产后１０．６～１３．６ｄ以后，外周血浆孕酮水平开始升高，出现黄体周期，约有一半的母牛产后第１个黄体周期为（８．４±０．５）ｄ，显著短于正常周期（２０．１±３．２）ｄ（Ｐ＜０．０１）；在短周期中，孕酮峰值为（１．５２±０．７１）μｇ／Ｌ，亦显著低于正常周期孕酮峰值（３．８４±１．２５）μｇ／Ｌ（Ｐ＜０．０５）。除短周期外，产后发情周期中的孕酮水平变化与通常的发情周期基本相同     

绵羊发情周期子宫内膜微血管密度与VEGF的表达关系

以绵羊发情周期的子宫内膜为研究对象,采用免疫组化方法定量检测绵羊发情周期子宫内膜的微血管密度（MVD）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达量。结果表明：MVD的标记物CD34和VEGF在绵羊发情周期的子宫内膜中呈现相同的表达特征,即表达位点均在子宫内膜上皮固有层及肌层;两者均在发情后0d开始表达,5d最高。5d开始到15d表达量缓慢下降。子宫内膜VEGF表达量和MVD相关系数r=0.669,P=0,表明子宫角中VEGF表达量和MVD显著正相关。     

The Use of Epostane in an Attempt to Reproduce Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia in the Bitch

The aetiology and pathogenesis of spontaneous cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) in the bitch is not yet completely understood. Recent research based on the expression of uterine sex hormone receptors in spontaneous cases of CEH suggested that a temporary progesterone deficiency during late oestrus-early metoestrus may be responsible for the onset of CEH development. In the present study a temporary progesterone deficiency during late oestrus–early metoestrus was experimentally created using an inhibitor of progesterone synthesis, epostane. At day 49 of metoestrus, there was a significant reduction in the size of the uterine wall, mainly due to endometrial atrophy, and there was also a significant increase in the mucus-filled uterine lumen in the bitches that had been treated with epostane compared to the control bitches. No significant differences in the expression of sex hormone receptors was observed between the two groups. As no CEH developed in the epostane-treated bitches, an additional oestrogenic stimulus may be required to stimulate endometrial proliferation. Therefore, it is suggested that deficient luteinization of the corpus luteum may be the trigger in the pathogenesis of CEH, as the secretion of varying amounts of sex steroids depends on the degree of luteinization.     

Sex differences in oestrogen receptor levels in adrenal glands of sheep during the breeding season

The concentrations of the oestrogen receptor (ER), and the mRNA levels of ER, progesterone receptor (PR) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were characterised in adrenal glands and uterine tissue of adult Corriedale sheep during the breeding season. The sheep were of different sex and gonadal status. Ewes had higher levels of cytosolic ER in the adrenals than the rams (mean±S.E.M.: 7.3±2.0 fmol/mg protein and 2.5±1.0 fmol/mg protein, respectively; P=0.0091) and gonadectomy increased ER (mean±S.E.M.: 2.9±1.2 fmol/mg protein and 8.6±2.3 fmol/mg protein, intact and gonadectomised sheep, respectively; P=0.0071). No differences could be observed in mRNA levels for ER and IGF-I in the adrenal glands of all of the sheep. PR mRNA levels were reduced in ovariectomised ewes and enhanced in castrated rams (sex×gonadal status: P=0.009). PR mRNA levels tended to be higher in ewes in the follicular phase than in ovariectomised ewes and intact rams (P<0.1). All of the animals had positive nuclear staining for ER in the adrenal cortex, but no differences were observed between the groups. In this study, we demonstrated the existence of ER in the adrenal gland of sheep and found varying sensitivity to oestrogens as the ER levels differed among sex and gonadal status. These findings indicate that oestrogens most likely affect steroidogenesis directly at the adrenal cortex and suggest that oestrogens are partly responsible for the sex differences in cortisol secretion in sheep.     

草原红牛不同组织雄激素受体基因表达量检测及比较研究

采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测雄激素受体基因(Androgen receptor gene,AR)在草原红牛公牛和母牛多种组织中的表达情况,探讨该基因在草原红牛公牛和母牛不同组织中的表达差异.结果表明,AR基因在所检测的公牛和母牛的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、肠、胃及睾丸(卵巢)等8种组织中均有表达,且肝脏中的表达量高于其他组织;草原红牛公牛和母牛相同组织闻比较结果显示:AR基因在草原红牛公牛肝脏中表达量与母牛相比较差异不显著,其他不同组织间表达量均有显著差异(P<0.05),且公牛各组织中的表达量均高于母牛.本试验为深入研究AR基因的生物学功能及了解该基因对不同性别个体肉质性状的形成的作用机制奠定了基础.