Distribution of progesterone in the uterus, broad ligament, and uterine arteries of beef cows

Abstract

Samples of uterine horn, broad ligament (mesosalpinx and mesometrium), and uterine artery of ten unilaterally ovulating cows, 12-15 days after mating, were examined for differences in concentration of progesterone. Tissues (mesosalpinx, branches of the uterine artery, anterior uterine horn) adjacent to the ovary bearing the corpus luteum contained significantly greater quantities of progesterone than more distal tissues (mesometrium, uterine artery, posterior uterine horn) on the same side and all tissues on the contralateral side. In tissues on the side ipsilateral to the corpus luteum, a gradient of progesterone existed. Differences in tissue concentrations of progesterone may be the cause of observed differences in uterine physiology in the cow and ewe.

Endothelial vasodilator production by uterine and systemic arteries. IX. eNOS gradients in cycling and pregnant ewes

“…The reason for this expression gradient in the luteal phase sheep remains unknown but may relate to local hormone gradients within the uterine tissues. Pope et al (34) and Weems et al (43,44) demonstrated in unilaterally ovulating sheep and cattle that the uterine tissue and artery on the side ipsilateral to the corpus luteum contained greater quantities of progesterone than those more distal. The ability of progesterone to be concentrated in the uterine tissues occurs via a countercurrent exchange of steroid between the ovarian vein to the ovarian artery (42).…”

“…A gradient of progesterone concentrations (34,43,44) and estrogen receptor densities (25) have also been observed in the uterine and aortic vasculatures, respectively. These steroid hormones are known to regulate…”

Effect of progesterone on embryo survival

“…However, concentrations were 6-to 13-fold higher in uterine fluid on day 15 compared to all the other days and concentrations in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum were over 2-fold higher than those in the contralateral side. The concentration of progesterone is known to be higher in the tissue (Pope et al, 1982) and uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum in cattle while Weems et al (1988) have shown that the concentration of progesterone in the ipsilateral uterine vein is almost 2-fold higher than that in the contralateral vein, which was in turn similar to the concentration in jugular venous blood. Based on these data, it is tempting to conclude that the concentration of uterine RBP is sensitive to the concentrations of systemic progesterone.…”

Distribuição espacial de transcritos no trato reprodutivo e sua relação com o ambiente endócrino periovulatório no início do diestro de bovinos de corte

“…Indeed, P4 concentration on tissues (mesosalpinx, uterine artery, ovarian artery, anterior and posterior region of uterine horn) in the ipsilateral horn was greater than in the opposite side in beef and dairy cows and in ewes MAURER;STORMSCHAK, 1982;WEEMS et al, 1988WEEMS et al, , 1989. Also the uterine and ovarian artery adjacent to the ovary bearing the CL had higher P4 concentration (WEEMS et al, 1988(WEEMS et al, , 1989.…”

“…Porém, Reichenbach et al (1992) demonstrou que as taxas de prenhez são similares em transferências de um ou dois embriões no corno ipsolateral ao CL e transferência de um embrião em cada corno uterino. Estudos envolvendo a distribuição espacial de moléculas ao longo do trato reprodutivos de fêmeas já foram realizados em vacas MAURER;STORMSHAK, 1982;BAUERSACHS et al, 2005;DEAVER et al, 2013), ovelhas (MEIKLE et al, 1997(MEIKLE et al, , 2001, ratos (HICKEY;…”