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Bonnet A, Bluy L, Gress L, Canario L, Ravon L, Sécula A, Billon Y, Liaubet L. Sex and fetal genome influence gene expression in pig endometrium at the end of gestation. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:303. [PMID: 38515025 PMCID: PMC10958934 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10144-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fine balance of feto-maternal resource allocation is required to support pregnancy, which depends on interactions between maternal and fetal genetic potential, maternal nutrition and environment, endometrial and placental functions. In particular, some imprinted genes have a role in regulating maternal-fetal nutrient exchange, but few have been documented in the endometrium. The aim of this study is to describe the expression of 42 genes, with parental expression, in the endometrium comparing two extreme breeds: Large White (LW); Meishan (MS) with contrasting neonatal mortality and maturity at two days of gestation (D90-D110). We investigated their potential contribution to fetal maturation exploring genes-fetal phenotypes relationships. Last, we hypothesized that the fetal genome and sex influence their endometrial expression. For this purpose, pure and reciprocally crossbred fetuses were produced using LW and MS breeds. Thus, in the same uterus, endometrial samples were associated with its purebred or crossbred fetuses. RESULTS Among the 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 14 DEGs were differentially regulated between the two days of gestation. More gestational changes were described in LW (11 DEGs) than in MS (2 DEGs). Nine DEGs were differentially regulated between the two extreme breeds, highlighting differences in the regulation of endometrial angiogenesis, nutrient transport and energy metabolism. We identified DEGs that showed high correlations with indicators of fetal maturation, such as ponderal index at D90 and fetal blood fructose level and placental weight at D110. We pointed out for the first time the influence of fetal sex and genome on endometrial expression at D90, highlighting AMPD3, CITED1 and H19 genes. We demonstrated that fetal sex affects the expression of five imprinted genes in LW endometrium. Fetal genome influenced the expression of four genes in LW endometrium but not in MS endometrium. Interestingly, both fetal sex and fetal genome interact to influence endometrial gene expression. CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence for some sexual dimorphism in the pregnant endometrium and for the contribution of the fetal genome to feto-maternal interactions at the end of gestation. They suggest that the paternal genome may contribute significantly to piglet survival, especially in crossbreeding production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Bonnet
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France.
| | - Lisa Bluy
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Laure Gress
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Laurianne Canario
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Laure Ravon
- GenESI, INRAE, Le Magneraud, 17700, Surgères, France
| | - Aurelie Sécula
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Present Address: IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Yvon Billon
- GenESI, INRAE, Le Magneraud, 17700, Surgères, France
| | - Laurence Liaubet
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
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Liao Z, Tang S, Jiang P, Geng T, Cope DI, Dunn TN, Guner J, Radilla LA, Guan X, Monsivais D. Impaired bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways disrupt decidualization in endometriosis. Commun Biol 2024; 7:227. [PMID: 38402336 PMCID: PMC10894266 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is linked to increased infertility and pregnancy complications due to defective endometrial decidualization. We hypothesized that identification of altered signaling pathways during decidualization could identify the underlying cause of infertility and pregnancy complications. Our study reveals that transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathways are impaired in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, leading to defective decidualization. Through detailed transcriptomic analyses, we discovered abnormalities in TGFβ signaling pathways and key regulators, such as SMAD4, in the endometrium of affected individuals. We also observed compromised activity of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), a subset of the TGFβ family, that control endometrial receptivity. Using 3-dimensional models of endometrial stromal and epithelial assembloids, we showed that exogenous BMP2 improved decidual marker expression in individuals with endometriosis. Our findings reveal dysfunction of BMP/SMAD signaling in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, explaining decidualization defects and subsequent pregnancy complications in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Peixin Jiang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ting Geng
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dominique I Cope
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Timothy N Dunn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joie Guner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Linda Alpuing Radilla
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoming Guan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Haslin E, Pettigrew EJ, Hickson RE, Kenyon PR, Gedye KR, Lopez-Villalobos N, Jayawardana JMDR, Morris ST, Blair HT. Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040805. [PMID: 37107563 PMCID: PMC10137859 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study estimated genetic parameters and identified candidate genes associated with live weight, and the occurrence of pregnancy in 1327 Romney ewe lambs using genome-wide association studies. Phenotypic traits considered were the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs and live weight at eight months of age. Genetic parameters were estimated, and genomic variation was assessed using 13,500 single-nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs). Ewe lamb live weight had medium genomic heritability and was positively genetically correlated with occurrence of pregnancy. This suggests that selection for heavier ewe lambs is possible and would likely improve the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs. No SNPs were associated with the occurrence of pregnancy; however, three candidate genes were associated with ewe lamb live weight. Tenascin C (TNC), TNF superfamily member 8 (TNFSF8) and Collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain (COL28A1) are involved in extracellular matrix organization and regulation of cell fate in the immune system. TNC may be involved in ewe lamb growth, and therefore, could be of interest for selection of ewe lamb replacements. The association between ewe lamb live weight and TNFSF8 and COL28A1 is unclear. Further research is needed using a larger population to determine whether the genes identified can be used for genomic selection of replacement ewe lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Haslin
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Paul R. Kenyon
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - Kristene R. Gedye
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - J. M. D. R. Jayawardana
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka
| | - Stephen T. Morris
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - Hugh T. Blair
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
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Gibson C, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TAE. Insulin-like growth factor system components expressed at the conceptus-maternal interface during the establishment of equine pregnancy. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:912721. [PMID: 36176700 PMCID: PMC9513317 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.912721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In many species, the insulin-like growth factors (IGF1 and IGF2), their receptors and IGF binding proteins play important roles in preparing the endometrium for implantation, and regulating conceptus growth and development. To determine whether the IGF system may contribute to conceptus-maternal interaction during equine pre-implantation development, we evaluated mRNA expression for IGF system components in conceptuses, and endometrium recovered from pregnant and cycling mares, on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after ovulation. We also investigated expression of IGF1, IGF2 and their receptors 6 and 11 days after transfer of day 8 embryos to synchronous (day 8) or asynchronous (day 3) recipient mares. Expression of IGF1 and IGF2, IGF1R, IGF2R, INSR and IGFBPs 1, 2, 4 and 5 was evident in endometrium and conceptus membranes during days 7–28. Endometrial IGF2, INSR, IGFBP1 and IGFBP2 expression increased between days 7 and 28 of pregnancy. In conceptus membranes, expression of all IGF system components increased with developmental stage. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression of IGF1, IGF2 and IGF1R in both endometrium and conceptus membranes, whereas INSR was highly expressed in endometrium but barely detectable in the conceptus. Finally, a negatively asynchronous uterine environment retarded IGF1, IGF2 and INSR expression in the conceptus, whereas in the endometrium only INSR expression was altered by asynchrony. The presence of IGFs, their receptors and IGFBPs in the endometrium and conceptus during early equine pregnancy, and down-regulation in the conceptus following asynchronous embryo transfer, suggest a role in conceptus-maternal communication during the preparation for implantation.
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Lian W, Gao D, Huang C, Zhong Q, Hua R, Lei M. Heat Stress Impairs Maternal Endometrial Integrity and Results in Embryo Implantation Failure by Regulating Transport-Related Gene Expression in Tongcheng Pigs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030388. [PMID: 35327580 PMCID: PMC8945854 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress (HS) poses a significant threat to production and survival in the global swine industry. However, the molecular regulatory effects of heat stress on maternal endometrial cells are poorly understood in pigs during early embryo implantation. In this study, we systematically examined morphological changes in the endometrium and the corresponding regulation mechanism in response to HS by combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) staining, western blot, and RNA-seq analyses. Our results showed that HS led to porcine endometrium damage and endometrial thinness during embryo implantation. The expression levels of cell adhesion-related proteins, including N-cadherin and E-cadherin, in the uterus were significantly lower in the heat stress group (39 ± 1 °C, n = 3) than in the control group (28 ± 1 °C, n = 3). A total of 338 up-regulated genes and 378 down-regulated genes were identified in porcine endometrium under HS. The down-regulated genes were found to be mainly enriched in the pathways related to the microtubule complex, immune system process, and metalloendopeptidase activity, whereas the up-regulated genes were mainly involved in calcium ion binding, the extracellular region, and molecular function regulation. S100A9 was found to be one of the most significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the endometrium under HS, and this gene could promote proliferation of endometrial cells and inhibit their apoptosis. Meanwhile, HS caused endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) damage and inhibited its proliferation. Overall, our results demonstrated that HS induced uterine morphological change and tissue damage by regulating the expression of genes associated with calcium ions and amino acid transport. These findings may provide novel molecular insights into endometrial damage under HS during embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisi Lian
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
| | - Dengying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
| | - Cheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
| | - Qiqi Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
| | - Renwu Hua
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
| | - Minggang Lei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (C.H.); (Q.Z.); (R.H.)
- National Engineering Research Center for Livestock, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Pig Production, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430070, China
- Correspondence:
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6
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Drews B, Milojevic V, Robles M, Wimel L, Dubois C, Vegas AR, Giller K, Chavatte-Palmer P, Daniel H, Giesbertz P, Bruckmaier R, Ulbrich SE. Moderate differences in plasma leptin in mares have no effect on either the amino acid or the fatty acid composition of the uterine fluid. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 109:103827. [PMID: 34843890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Female mammalian reproductive functions are closely linked to body condition and metabolic status. Energy homeostasis is regulated by endocrine hormones such as insulin, IGF-I, leptin and adiponectin via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These metabolic hormones and their receptors are also expressed in reproductive tissues and the embryo. We investigated the relationship between circulating leptin and the fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) composition of the equine uterine fluid (UF) and peripheral blood plasma (BP) by using a mass spectrometry-based approach. UF and BP were collected from ten broodmares on days 6 and 7 post ovulation, respectively. The mares were retrospectively assigned to two groups according to their BP leptin concentrations (high leptin (> 1.6 ng/ml) versus low leptin (<0.8 ng/ml)). Specific AA and FA compositions for BP and UF were found with different levels of respective metabolite abundances. The main FAs in BP were stearic, palmitic and linoleic acid. In UF, the three most abundant FAs were eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic and stearic acid. The AA profile of BP was dominated by glycine, glutamine, serine and alanine, which were likewise among the highly abundant AAs in UF. In UF, glutamic acid had by far the highest concentration. Therefore, BP leptin concentration within a physiological range do not seem to affect the specific FA nor the AA composition of the UF. The composition of the UF may therefore be mediated by local rather than by peripheral metabolic hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Drews
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Vladimir Milojevic
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Morgane Robles
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - L Wimel
- IFCE, Station expérimentale de la Valade, 19370 Chamberet, France.
| | - C Dubois
- IFCE, Station expérimentale de la Valade, 19370 Chamberet, France.
| | - A Rudolf Vegas
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K Giller
- ETH Zurich, Animal Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - P Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - H Daniel
- Nutritional Physiology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - P Giesbertz
- Nutritional Physiology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.
| | - Rupert Bruckmaier
- Veterinary Physiology, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - S E Ulbrich
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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D’ Fonseca NMM, Gibson CME, van Doorn DA, Roelfsema E, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TAE. Effect of Overfeeding Shetland Pony Mares on Embryonic Glucose and Lipid Accumulation, and Expression of Imprinted Genes. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092504. [PMID: 34573470 PMCID: PMC8470267 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In pregnant individuals, maternal overnutrition is associated with disturbances in the expression of specific genes and nutrient transporters in the early embryo, which can affect both fetal and placental development and have lasting effects on the health of resulting offspring. To examine how maternal overfeeding affects the equine embryo, Shetland pony mares were fed either a high-energy (HE: 200% of net energy requirements) or maintenance (control) diet. Mares from both groups were inseminated, and day-seven embryos were recovered and transferred to recipients from the same or the alternate group. The expression of several genes, nutrient transporters and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs; play an important role in regulating gene expression) were determined in extra-embryonic membranes after recovery on day 28 of gestation. The expression of nutrient transporters was also assessed in endometrium recovered from recipient mares immediately after embryo removal. In addition, glucose uptake by day-28 extra-embryonic membranes, and lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven embryos were assessed. Maternal overfeeding resulted in elevated expression of several genes, DNMTs and nutrient transporters following embryo transfer from an HE to a control mare. The expression of two amino acid transporters was also elevated in the endometrium after embryo transfer from HE to control. Maternal overfeeding did not affect lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven embryos, or glucose uptake by membranes of day-28 embryos. It remains to be seen whether the alterations in gene expression are maintained throughout gestation and into postnatal life. Abstract Maternal overfeeding is associated with disturbances in early embryonic epigenetic reprogramming, leading to altered expression of imprinted genes and nutrient transporters, which can affect both fetal and placental development and have lasting effects on the health of resulting offspring. To examine how maternal overfeeding affects the equine embryo, Shetland pony mares were fed either a high-energy (HE: 200% of net energy requirements) or maintenance (control) diet. Mares from both groups were inseminated, and day-seven embryos were recovered and transferred to recipients from the same or the alternate group. The expression of a panel of imprinted genes, glucose and amino acid transporters, and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) were determined in conceptus membranes after recovery on day 28 of gestation (late pre-implantation phase). The expression of nutrient transporters was also assessed in endometrium recovered from recipient mares immediately after conceptus removal. In addition, glucose uptake by day-28 extra-embryonic membranes, and lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven blastocysts were assessed. Maternal overfeeding resulted in elevated expression of imprinted genes (IGF2, IGF2R, H19, GRB10, PEG10 and SNRPN), DNMTs (DNMT1 and DNMT3B), glucose (SLC2A1), fructose (SLC2A5) and amino acid (SLC7A2) transporters following ET from an HE to a control mare. Expression of amino acid transporters (SLC1A5 and SLC7A1) was also elevated in the endometrium after ET from HE to control. Maternal overfeeding did not affect lipid droplet accumulation in blastocysts, or glucose uptake by day-28 membranes. It remains to be seen whether the alterations in gene expression are maintained throughout gestation and into postnatal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky M. M. D’ Fonseca
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Charlotte M. E. Gibson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
| | - David A. van Doorn
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Roelfsema
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
| | - Marta de Ruijter-Villani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
| | - Tom A. E. Stout
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.E.G.); (D.A.v.D.); (E.R.); (M.d.R.-V.); (T.A.E.S.)
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8
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Gibson C, de Ruijter-Villani M, Bauersachs S, Stout TA. Asynchronous Embryo Transfer Followed by Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Conceptus Membranes and Endometrium Identifies Processes Important to the Establishment of Equine Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072562. [PMID: 32272720 PMCID: PMC7177982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation horse conceptuses require nutrients and signals from histotroph, the composition of which is regulated by luteal progesterone and conceptus-secreted factors. To distinguish progesterone and conceptus effects we shortened the period of endometrial progesterone-priming by asynchronous embryo transfer. Day 8 embryos were transferred to synchronous (day 8) or asynchronous (day 3) recipients, and RNA sequencing was performed on endometrium and conceptuses recovered 6 and 11 days later (embryo days 14 and 19). Asynchrony resulted in many more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in conceptus membranes (3473) than endometrium (715). Gene ontology analysis identified upregulation in biological processes related to organogenesis and preventing apoptosis in synchronous conceptuses on day 14, and in cell adhesion and migration on day 19. Asynchrony also resulted in large numbers of DEGs related to 'extracellular exosome'. In endometrium, genes involved in immunity, the inflammatory response, and apoptosis regulation were upregulated during synchronous pregnancy and, again, many genes related to extracellular exosome were differentially expressed. Interestingly, only 14 genes were differentially expressed in endometrium recovered 6 days after synchronous versus 11 days after asynchronous transfer (day 14 recipient in both). Among these, KNG1 and IGFBP3 were consistently upregulated in synchronous endometrium. Furthermore bradykinin, an active peptide cleaved from KNG1, stimulated prostaglandin release by cultured trophectoderm cells. The horse conceptus thus responds to a negatively asynchronous uterus by extensively adjusting its transcriptome, whereas the endometrial transcriptome is modified only subtly by a more advanced conceptus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Gibson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.G.); (M.d.R.-V.)
| | - Marta de Ruijter-Villani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.G.); (M.d.R.-V.)
| | - Stefan Bauersachs
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, 8315 Lindau (ZH), Switzerland;
| | - Tom A.E. Stout
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.G.); (M.d.R.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +0031-30-2533080; Fax: +0031-30-2537970
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