The Activity and Localization of 3β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase and Release of Androstenedione and Progesterone by Uterine Tissues During Early Pregnancy and the Estrous Cycle in Pigs     

Bartosz WOJCIECHOWICZ  Genowefa KOTWICA  Justyna KOLAKOWSKA  Anita FRANCZAK 《The Journal of reproduction and development》2013,59(1):49-58

Steroid hormones are produced by the porcine uterus. We hypothesized that the uterus in pigs possesses active 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ⁵-Δ⁴ isomerase (3β-HSD) responsible for progesterone and androstenedione production, that uterine steroids may supplement the amount of steroid hormones produced by embryos and corpus luteum and that these steroids are necessary for maintenance of pregnancy. In this study, we examined 1) endometrial and myometrial expression of 3β-HSD mRNA, 2) uterine 3β-HSD protein activity and 3) in vitro production of A₄ and P₄ by uterine slices harvested from pigs on days 10 to 11, 12 to 13 and 15 to 16 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. The expression of 3β-HSD and the presence and activity of 3β-HSD protein were different in the endometrium and the myometrium during the examined periods of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Production of A₄ by the endometrium and myometrium was highest on days 12 to 13 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Endometrial secretion of P₄ did not differ in the course of early pregnancy and on the respective days of the estrous cycle. The gravid myometrium was the highest source of P₄ in pregnant pigs on days 12 to 13. The release of P₄ by the cyclic myometrium rose during the examined days of the estrous cycle. The steroidogenic activity of the uterus, as described in this study, may support early pregnancy or the luteal phase of the estrous cycle in pigs.  相似文献   

Role of interleukin-1β in the regulation of porcine corpora lutea during the late luteal phase of the cycle and during pregnancy     

Zmijewska A  Franczak A  Kotwica G 《Acta veterinaria Hungarica》2012,60(3):395-407

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) may regulate ovarian physiology. In this study, the influence of IL-1β on secretory activity within the corpora lutea (CL) of cyclic and gravid pigs was determined in vitro during different stages of the CL lifespan, e.g. on Days 10-11, 12-13 and 15-16 of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. IL-1β (10 ng/ml) increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion from CL of the cyclic and gravid pigs during studied days of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. Increase (P < 0.05) of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in IL-1β-treated CL was demonstrated only on Days 10-11 of the oestrous cycle. More potent stimulatory effect of IL-1β on PGE2 than PGF2α secretion resulted in the enhancement of the PGE2:PGF2α ratio in cyclic and early pregnant CL. IL-1β increased (P < 0.05) progesterone (P4) secretion only in gravid CL and had no effect on oestradiol-17β (E2) release. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA was stimulated (P < 0.05) in IL-1β-treated cyclic and gravid CL. Expression of prostaglandin synthase mRNAs in response to IL-1β did not increase. In conclusion, IL-1β modulates PGE2, PGF2α and P4 secretion from porcine CL, depending on luteal stage and the surrounding hormonal milieu. The cytokine may act locally in porcine CL for luteotrophic support throughout the PGE2-mediated synthesis and secretion.  相似文献