Interferon‐
τ (IFN‐
τ) has been recognized as the primary embryonic signal responsible for maternal recognition of pregnancy. Uterine endometrium produces both prostaglandin F
2α (PGF
2α) and prostaglandin E
2 (PGE
2). PGF
2α is responsible for the luteolysis; however, PGE
2 favours establishment of pregnancy by its luteoprotective action. In this study, the dose‐response effect of recombinant bovine IFN‐
τ (rbIFN‐
τ) on prostaglandin (PG) production by buffalo endometrial stromal cells cultured
in vitro was studied. Buffalo endometrial stromal cells were isolated by double enzymatic digestion, initially with trypsin III followed by a cocktail of trypsin III, collagenase type II and DNase I and subsequently cultured till confluence. Further, cells were treated with different doses of rbIFN‐
τ (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 μg/ml) and keeping a separate set of control. Culture supernatant was collected after 6, 12 and 24 h of treatment. PG levels in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme immune assay (EIA) and total cellular protein estimated by Bradford method. Results indicated that buffalo endometrial stromal cells following rbIFN‐
τ treatment enhanced the secretion of both PGE
2 and PGF
2α, and also its ratio in a strict dose‐dependent manner with a significant increase (p < 0.01) in PGE
2 production at 1 μg/ml dose of rbIFN‐
τ and maximal stimulation for both PG was observed at 10 μg/ml. Further, both PG production and its ratio were increased significantly (p < 0.01) in a time‐dependent fashion in all the groups at 6, 12 and 24 h post‐treatment with highest level achieved at 24 h as compared with control. Absolute levels of PGE
2 remained higher than PGF
2α indicating PGE
2 as the major PG produced by endometrial stromal cells. The dose‐dependent response of rbIFN‐
τ signifies the importance of optimum concentration of IFN‐
τ for the embryonic development especially during the critical period to establish successful pregnancy.
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