Distribution of Androgen Receptor in the Porcine Uterus throughout Pregnancy

Słomczyńska, Maria; Duda, Małgorzata; Burek, Malgorzata; Knapczyk, Katarzyna; Czaplicki, Dominik; Koziorowski, Marek

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00849.x

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…additionally showed that the AR decrease itself affects IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) stability and thus down-regulates downstream cascades that IGF-1 is involved in (including P13K/Akt, which is highly important in proliferative pathways) (Liu et al , 2013). Besides rats, a significant decrease in AR expression occurs in porcine myometrium 3 weeks prior to labour (Slomczynska et al , 2008). A human microarray study also showed AR gene down-regulation in the myometrium during preterm (0.4-fold) and term labour (0.3-fold) compared with non-labouring myometrium, but the protein expression was not determined (Bethin et al , 2003).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Androgens in pregnancy: roles in parturition

Makieva

Saunders

Norman

2014

Human Reproduction Update

179

143

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BACKGROUNDUnderstanding the physiology of pregnancy enables effective management of pregnancy complications that could otherwise be life threatening for both mother and fetus. A functional uterus (i) retains the fetus in utero during pregnancy without initiating stretch-induced contractions and (ii) is able to dilate the cervix and contract the myometrium at term to deliver the fetus. The onset of labour is associated with successful cervical remodelling and contraction of myometrium, arising from concomitant activation of uterine immune and endocrine systems. A large body of evidence suggests that actions of local steroid hormones may drive changes occurring in the uterine microenvironment at term. Although there have been a number of studies considering the potential role(s) played by progesterone and estrogen at the time of parturition, the bio-availability and effects of androgens during pregnancy have received less scrutiny. The aim of this review is to highlight potential roles of androgens in the biology of pregnancy and parturition.METHODSA review of published literature was performed to address (i) androgen concentrations, including biosynthesis and clearance, in maternal and fetal compartments throughout gestation, (ii) associations of androgen concentrations with adverse pregnancy outcomes, (iii) the role of androgens in the physiology of cervical remodelling and finally (iv) the role of androgens in the physiology of myometrial function including any impact on contractility.RESULTSSome, but not all, androgens increase throughout gestation in maternal circulation. The effects of this increase are not fully understood; however, evidence suggests that increased androgens might regulate key processes during pregnancy and parturition. For example, androgens are believed to be critical for cervical remodelling at term, in particular cervical ripening, via regulation of cervical collagen fibril organization. Additionally, a number of studies highlight potential roles for androgens in myometrial relaxation via non-genomic, AR-independent pathways critical for the pregnancy reaching term. Understanding of the molecular events leading to myometrial relaxation is an important step towards development of novel targeted tocolytic drugs.CONCLUSIONSThe increase in androgen levels throughout gestation is likely to be important for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and initiation of parturition. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms of androgen action on cervical remodelling and myometrial contractility is needed. The insights gained may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to manage pregnancy complications such as preterm birth.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Androgens in pregnancy: roles in parturition

Makieva

Saunders

Norman

2014

Human Reproduction Update

179

143

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“…; Slomczynska et al. ). Prenatal T deficiency in pigs as a consequence of the antiandrogen action resulted in changes of ovarian AR protein level observed in immature and adult animals (Durlej et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of the Antiandrogen 2‐Hydroxyflutamide on the Androgen Receptor Expression in the Porcine Ovarian Follicles – An In Vitro Study

Duda

Wolna

Knapczyk-Stwora

et al. 2012

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Androgens are one of the most important agents influencing ovarian follicles growth and development. The biological action of androgens is primarily exerted through transcriptional regulation by the androgen receptor (AR), a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily. The purpose of this study was to test the role of androgen receptor agonist testosterone (T) or antagonist 2-hydroxyflutamide (2-Hf) and in combination on AR expression in cultured porcine granulosa cells (GC) or whole follicles. Granulosa cells isolated from mature pig follicles were cultured for 48 h. During the last 12 and 24 h of culture, they were incubated in the presence of T (10(-7) m/ml), 2-Hf (1.7 × 10(-4) m) or both T and 2-Hf (T + 2-Hf, at the same concentrations as when added separately). To better imitate in vivo conditions, whole follicles (6-8 mm in diameter) isolated from porcine ovaries have been incubated (for 12 and 24 h) in an organ culture system with the addition of the same factors. Thereafter, cells or sections obtained from cultured follicles were processed for AR detection by immunocytochemistry or immunohistochemistry. Moreover, expression of AR mRNA and protein was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. It was shown that the addition of 2-Hf in the presence of T had a positive effect on AR mRNA and protein expression in porcine GC and ovarian follicles. Moreover, the addition of 2-Hf influenced AR distribution in GC cultures which is seen as change of its localization from nuclear to perinuclear. Our results suggest that androgens acting through AR could be involved in the control of AR expression in porcine GC in vitro and in vivo.

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“…2004). Earlier, it was demonstrated that nuclear AR localization in the uterus of the pregnant swine (Słomczyńska et al. 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression of Oestrogen Receptor α and Oestrogen Receptor β in the Uterus of the Pregnant Swine

Knapczyk-Stwora

Durlej

Duda

et al. 2011

Reprod Domestic Animals

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The uterus is a well-known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting molecules among which steroid hormones are of special importance. The objective of our work was to localize oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) mRNA and protein in the pig uterus throughout pregnancy (10, 18, 32, 50, 71, 90 days post coitum) using RT-PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry. The present study is the first one to demonstrate the presence of ERs protein in the porcine uterus not only at the beginning but also at mid- and late pregnancy. In the pregnant swine, ERα was immunolocalized in the luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE) and the myometrium of the uterus with differences in the intensity of staining at different stages of pregnancy studied. The LE and GE of pregnant swine stained for ERβ regardless of the day of pregnancy examined, whereas only a few cells within the myometrium showed a weak immunoreactivity. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of ERα and ERβ proteins on all investigated days of gestation. The expression of ERα and ERβ mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in all examined samples corresponding to each of the consecutive stages of pregnancy. The obtained results show that ERα is more abundant in comparison to ERβ within the porcine pregnant uterus. The presence of ERα and ERβ in all compartments of the pig uterus during pregnancy may indicate direct action of oestrogens on proliferation and differentiation of these cells.

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Distribution of Androgen Receptor in the Porcine Uterus throughout Pregnancy

Cited by 10 publications

References 31 publications

Androgens in pregnancy: roles in parturition

Androgens in pregnancy: roles in parturition

The Influence of the Antiandrogen 2‐Hydroxyflutamide on the Androgen Receptor Expression in the Porcine Ovarian Follicles – An In Vitro Study

Expression of Oestrogen Receptor α and Oestrogen Receptor β in the Uterus of the Pregnant Swine

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