BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
29 September 2010 Changes in the Endometrial Transcriptome During the Bovine Estrous Cycle: Effect of Low Circulating Progesterone and Consequences for Conceptus Elongation
N. Forde, M.E. Beltman, G.B. Duffy, P. Duffy, J.P. Mehta, P. Ó'Gaora, J.F. Roche, P. Lonergan, M.A. Crowe
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

In cattle, elevated concentrations of circulating progesterone (P4) in the immediate postconception period are associated with advanced conceptus development, while low P4 is implicated as a causative factor in low pregnancy rates observed in dairy cows. This study aimed to: 1) describe the transcriptional changes that occur in the bovine endometrium during the estrous cycle, 2) determine how elevated P4 affects these changes, 3) identify if low P4 alters the expression of these genes, and 4) assess the impact that low P4 has on conceptus development. Relatively few differences occurred in endometrial gene expression during the early luteal phase of the estrous cycle (Day 5 vs. 7), but comparison of endometria from more distant stages of the luteal phase (Day 7 vs. 13) revealed large transcriptional changes, which were significantly altered by exogenous supplementation of P4. Induction of low circulating P4 altered the normal temporal changes in gene expression, and these changes were coordinate with a delay in the down-regulation of the PGR from the LE and GE. Altered endometrial gene expression induced by low P4 was associated with a reduced capacity of the uterus to support conceptus development after embryo transfer on Day 7. In conclusion, the present study provides clear evidence that the temporal changes in the transcriptome of the endometrium of cyclic heifers are sensitive to circulating P4 concentrations in the first few days after estrus. Under low P4 conditions, a suboptimal uterine environment with reduced ability to support conceptus elongation is observed.

N. Forde, M.E. Beltman, G.B. Duffy, P. Duffy, J.P. Mehta, P. Ó'Gaora, J.F. Roche, P. Lonergan, and M.A. Crowe "Changes in the Endometrial Transcriptome During the Bovine Estrous Cycle: Effect of Low Circulating Progesterone and Consequences for Conceptus Elongation," Biology of Reproduction 84(2), 266-278, (29 September 2010). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110.085910
Received: 10 May 2010; Accepted: 1 September 2010; Published: 29 September 2010
KEYWORDS
embryo
Endometrium
gene expression
progesterone
progesterone receptor
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top