Local embryo-mediated changes in endometrial gene expression during embryo mobility in mares

Castro, T.; Jacob, Jerry; Domingues, Rafael R.; Ginther, O.J.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.032

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In this study, the endometrial samples were collected using a cytobrush. Different studies in cattle 29 , 30 and in horses 17 , 31 – 33 have demonstrated that cytobrush sampling is a non-invasive method for obtaining RNA of a suitable quantity and quality for gene expression analysis from the endometrium. Moreover, the transcriptome of the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) corresponds to the major gene expression observed between pregnant and nonbred mares 23 , 25 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, the underlying mechanism involved in this intrauterine migration and embryo-maternal communication is not fully understood. In a recent study 17 , endometrial gene expression of prostaglandin E2 synthase ( PTGES ) was found to be greater in the uterine horn with the embryo than in the horn without the embryo. Additionally, the uterine horn that contained the embryo had a greater vascularity score compared to the opposite horn on days 12 and 15, noticeable within 7 min of the embryo entering the horn 18 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Embryo-endometrial interaction associated with the location of the embryo during the mobility phase in mares

de Castro,

van Heule,

Domingues

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Embryo-maternal crosstalk is essential to establish pregnancy, with the equine embryo moving throughout the uterus on days 9–15 (ovulation = day 0) as part of this interaction. We hypothesized that the presence of a mobile embryo induces local changes in the gene expression of the endometrium. On Day 12, the endometrial transcripts were compared among three groups: uterine horn with an embryo (P+, n = 7), without an embryo (P−, n = 7) in pregnant mares, and both uterine horns of nonbred mares (NB, n = 6). We identified 1,101 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between P+ vs. NB and 1,229 DEGs between P− vs. NB. The genes upregulated in both P+ and P− relative to NB were involved in growth factor pathway and fatty acid activation, while downregulated genes were associated with oxytocin signaling pathway and estrogen receptor signaling. Comparing the transcriptome of P+ to that of P−, we found 59 DEGs, of which 30 genes had a higher expression in P+. These genes are associated with regulating vascular growth factors and the immune system, all known to be essential in early pregnancy. Overall, this study suggests that the mobile embryo influences the endometrial gene expression locally.

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