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Jungmann C, Dyhrberg Haubuff S, Packeiser EM, Körber H, Reichler IM, Balogh O, Mazzuoli-Weber G, Goericke-Pesch S. Insights into the role of PGF2α in canine periparturient myometrium. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1392080. [PMID: 38863475 PMCID: PMC11165301 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1392080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parturition in dogs is subjected to complex hormonal regulation, with the involvement of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) still not fully understood. To investigate uterine inertia (UI), the most prevalent maternal reason for dystocia in the bitch, a better understanding of undisturbed uterine, especially myometrial function, is crucial. Our aim was to gain deeper insights into the role of PGF2α in the canine parturient myometrium. Uterine biopsies were obtained during medically indicated cesarean sections. To test for stimulatory effects of PGF2α in vitro, circular and longitudinal myometrial layer tissue strips were challenged with 50 pM, 0.5 µM, and 50 µM PGF2α. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and PGF2α-receptor (PTGFR) mRNA expressions were compared between primary UI (PUI) and obstructive dystocia (OD) samples in isolated parturient myometrium. PTGFR protein expression was assessed in full thickness uterine samples. PGF2α concentrations were analyzed in canine interplacental tissue around term. In the organ bath, the contractile response to PGF2α was limited to the circular layer at the highest dosage. Correspondingly, PTGFR immunohistochemical staining was significantly stronger in the circular layer (p ≤ 0.01). PTGS2 gene expression did not differ between PUI and OD, whereas PTGFR gene expression could not be quantified. Local uterine PGF2α concentrations correlated negatively with serum P4 levels and were the highest during prepartum luteolysis while being significantly lower in PUI. Conclusively, despite the significant increase in local PGF2α concentrations at birth, confirming the interplacental tissue as a production site, our results suggest that PGF2α might affect uterine contractility during labor, mainly indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Jungmann
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine—Clinic for Small Animals, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Signe Dyhrberg Haubuff
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Eva-Maria Packeiser
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine—Clinic for Small Animals, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hanna Körber
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine—Clinic for Small Animals, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Iris Margaret Reichler
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, University of Zurich Vetsuisse Faculty, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Orsolya Balogh
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, University of Zurich Vetsuisse Faculty, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandra Goericke-Pesch
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine—Clinic for Small Animals, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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Utero-Placental Immune Milieu during Normal and Aglepristone-Induced Parturition in the Dog. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123598. [PMID: 34944375 PMCID: PMC8697996 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tolerance of the maternal immune system towards the embryo is essential for the success of pregnancy in all mammals. The uterine immunological milieu is modulated in a species-dependent manner, and pro-inflammatory responses are observed in the uterus during parturition in several species. An analogous situation was suggested for the dog. Nevertheless, details regarding immune signaling in the canine utero-placental compartments remain veiled. The present investigation of gene expression and immunolocalization of several immune-related factors revealed moderate utero-placental activity during mid-pregnancy (maintenance period). However, several immune factors were upregulated during parturition, suggesting an increased incidence of cells involved in tissue remodeling and/or immune regulation. The involvement of progesterone in these mechanisms was further assessed by using samples from mid-pregnant dogs treated with the progesterone receptor blocker, aglepristone. Similarities were observed in the expression pattern of several immune factors between natural and induced parturition, supporting the involvement of progesterone signaling in the modulation of the uterine immune milieu. This study provides the basis for further investigations regarding the immune regulation of parturition in the dog. Furthermore, differences observed between natural and induced parturition could be related to different placental maturation and/or functional characteristics of aglepristone, and might be of clinical relevance. Abstract Maternal immunotolerance is required for the maintenance of pregnancy, in sharp contrast with the uterine pro-inflammatory activity observed during parturition in several species. Correspondingly, in the dog, increased immune signaling at term has been suggested, but a deeper understanding of the uterine immune milieu is still missing. Thus, the availability of 30 immune-related factors was assessed in utero-placental samples collected during post-implantation (days 18–25 of pregnancy) and mid-gestation (days 35–40) stages, and at the time of prepartum luteolysis. Gene expression and/or protein localization studies were employed. Samples collected from antigestagen (aglepristone)-treated dogs were further analyzed. Progression of pregnancy was associated with the downregulation of IL1β and upregulation of IL10 (p < 0.05) at mid-gestation. When compared with mid-gestation, a higher availability of several factors was observed at term (e.g., CD206, CD4, TLR4). However, in contrast with natural parturition, MHCII, CD25, CCR7, TNFα, IDO1 and AIF1 were upregulated after aglepristone treatment (p < 0.05), but not TNFR1 or CCL13 (p > 0.05). Altogether, these results show an increased immune activity during canine parturition, involving, i.a., M2 macrophages, Treg and Th cells, with strong support for progesterone-mediated immunomodulation. Furthermore, differences between term and induced parturition/abortion could relate to differences in placental maturation towards parturition and/or functional traits of antigestagens.
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Kowalewski MP, Tavares Pereira M, Kazemian A. Canine conceptus-maternal communication during maintenance and termination of pregnancy, including the role of species-specific decidualization. Theriogenology 2020; 150:329-338. [PMID: 32143817 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Among domestic animal species, the reproductive biology of the dog belongs to the most peculiar. This includes the conceptus-maternal communication and endocrine mechanisms involved in maintenance of pregnancy. Dogs fully depend on luteal progesterone (P4) throughout pregnancy, with similar steroid secretion patterns in pregnant and non-pregnant bitches until prepartum luteolysis. Thus, dogs lack the classical recognition of pregnancy. The luteal P4 is the most important hormone regulating the onset and maintenance of pregnancy in previously estrogenized bitches. Although the canine uterus is exposed to high P4 levels, decidualization is not spontaneous but induced by the presence of embryos. Following implantation, decidualization continues, associated with development of the invasive endotheliochorial placenta, leading to establishment of maternal decidual cells expressing the nuclear P4 receptor (PGR). Consequently, although not producing steroids, the canine placenta remains highly sensitive to circulating ovarian steroids. The placental conceptus-maternal communication is responsible for the maintenance of pregnancy, with functional withdrawal of PGR evoking a luteolytic cascade with prepartum PGF2α release. The fetal trophoblast is the major source of prepartum placental prostaglandins. This conceptus-maternal communication is unique to the dog and has clinical implications. Due to luteal steroids, there is no prepartum estradiol increase. Elevated cortisol levels are observed irregularly. This emphasizes the unique character of canine reproductive physiology and the challenges in transferring translational research to the dog. Further research is needed for better understanding of canine reproduction and improving clinical protocols, including the latest results obtained from applying modern laboratory technologies such as the transcriptomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - M Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Kazemian
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Tamminen TM, Sahlin L, Masironi B, Taponen J, Laitinen-Vapaavuori O, Katila T. Oxytocin receptors in dioestrous and anoestrous canine uteri. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 52:153-159. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- TM Tamminen
- Department of Production Animal Medicine; University of Helsinki; Saarentaus Finland
| | - L Sahlin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - B Masironi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - J Taponen
- Department of Production Animal Medicine; University of Helsinki; Saarentaus Finland
| | - O Laitinen-Vapaavuori
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
| | - T Katila
- Department of Production Animal Medicine; University of Helsinki; Saarentaus Finland
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Maïga A, Mourier G, Quinton L, Rouget C, Gales C, Denis C, Lluel P, Sénard JM, Palea S, Servent D, Gilles N. G protein-coupled receptors, an unexploited animal toxin targets: Exploration of green mamba venom for novel drug candidates active against adrenoceptors. Toxicon 2011; 59:487-96. [PMID: 21419153 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
At a time when pharmaceutical companies are having trouble finding new low MW drugs and when biologics are becoming more common, animal venoms could constitute an underexploited source of novel drug candidates. We looked for identifying novel animal toxins active against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), the most frequently exploited class of treatment targets, with the aim to develop novel research tools and drug candidates. Screening of green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) venom against adrenoceptors identified two novel venom peptides. ρ-Da1a shown an affinity of 0.35 nM for the α1a-AR while ρ-Da1b displayed affinities between 14 and 73 nM for the three α2-ARs. These two venom peptides have sequences similar to those of muscarinic toxins and belong to the three-finger-fold protein family. α1a-AR is the primary target for the treatment of prostate hypertrophy. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that ρ-Da1a reduced prostatic muscle tone as efficiently as tamsulosin (an antagonist presently used), but with fewer cardiovascular side effects. α2-ARs are the prototype of GPCRs not currently used as treatment targets due to a lack of specific ligands. Blockage of these receptors increases intestinal motility, which may be compromised by abdominal surgery and reduces orthosteric hypotension. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that ρ-Da1b antagonizes α2-ARs in smooth muscles and increased heart rate and blood catecholamine concentrations. These results highlight possible exploitation of ρ-Da1a and ρ-Da1b in important pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arhamatoulaye Maïga
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines (SIMOPRO), F-91191 Gif sur Yvette, France
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Rizzo A, Roscino MT, Minoia G, Trisolini C, Spedicato M, Mutinati M, Pantaleo M, Jirillo F, Sciorsci RL. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bitch. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2010; 31:310-3. [PMID: 19235534 DOI: 10.1080/08923970802683954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the different phases of the estrous cycle in the bitch, in order to establish their physiological values. 56 healthy mixed-breed bitches were enrolled at this purpose and divided into 4 groups, standing on the different phases of the estrus cycle. Blood samples were collected in all groups and serum ROS concentrations were determined. Proestral concentrations were statistically higher than anestral ones, and statistically lower than those found in estrus (p<0.001). The highest concentrations of ROS were detected at estrus, that is, in the peri-ovulatory period. This sharp increase in ROS concentrations is related to the acute inflammatory process underlying ovulation and to the increase in immune and metabolic activities, cytological changes and myometrial contractility promoted by the high levels of estrogens. In diestrus, the mean concentration of ROS decreases. This reduction did not show any statistically significant difference with the mean value observed in proestrus. In this phase, in fact, the high concentrations of progesterone, exerting an antioxidant and immunodepressive effect, justify the lower mean concentration of ROS detected. In anestrus, the lowest concentrations of ROS were observed, for the reduced metabolic and endocrine activity occurring in this phase of the estrous cycle. In conclusion our results establish the physiologic levels of ROS during the estrous cycle in the bitch and reflect the endocrine morphologic and metabolic changes occurring during it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Rizzo
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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Gogny A, Mallem Y, Destrumelle S, Thorin C, Desfontis JC, Gogny M, Fiéni F. In vitro comparison of myometrial contractility induced by aglepristone-oxytocin and aglepristone-PGF2alpha combinations at different stages of the estrus cycle in the bitch. Theriogenology 2010; 74:1531-8. [PMID: 20708231 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the uterokinetic activity of oxytocin and dinoprost, the natural PGF2α, with or without aglepristone, in canine myometrial fibers. Thirty-three bitches were allocated into one of four groups, depending on their estrous stage and whether or not they had received a treatment with aglepristone (metestrus aglepristone, n = 5; metestrus without treatment, n = 9; anestrus aglepristone, n = 9; anestrus without treatment, n = 10). After hysterectomy, longitudinal and circular uterine strips were mounted in organ baths. Oxytocin or PGF2α (10 nmol/l to 10 micromol/l) were applied non-cumulatively. A linear mixed effects models theory was used to compare the fiber effect, the aglepristone effect, and the treatment effect, from the area under the curves calculated from the contractile effect/concentration curves for each drug. Oxytocin and PGF2α induced concentration-dependent myometrial contractions in longitudinal (LF) and circular myometrial fibers (CF), indicating the presence of functional contractile oxytocin- and PGF2α-receptors in metestrus and anestrus. The contractile response to oxytocin was greater in LF than in CF in all of the groups; the response to PGF2α was greater in LF than in CF in non-treated bitches in anestrus and in treated bitches in metestrus. These results suggest that there is a difference in sensitivity or a heterogeneous distribution of oxytocin and PGF2α-receptors in the myometrial layers, which is independent of hormonal impregnation. The contractile response to oxytocin and PGF2α was significantly increased after aglepristone treatment in LF during metestrus, suggesting that the progesterone withdrawal induced by aglepristone has a role to play. The longitudinal myometrial layer also appeared to be the target for the two drugs at this stage. This study provides new information about canine uterine contractile activity, notably the differing behavior of myometrial CF and LF; in vivo studies are required to test the use of a combination of aglepristone and oxytocin in the treatment of canine pyometra.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gogny
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pathology of Reproduction, Nantes-Atlantic National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering-ONIRIS, F-44307 Nantes, France.
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Abstract
Both the uterus and bladder contain cannabinoid (CB) receptors whose functions are poorly understood. Here, in urethane-anesthetized female rats in metestrus, we simultaneously compared the effects of close-arterial injections of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN2) on uterine contractions (amplitude and rate) and micturition thresholds (MT) assessed by cystometry. Five doses of WIN2 were delivered (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 micromol/kg) in three groups: (1) controls; (2) after bladder inflammation with intravesicular turpentine; and (3) after bilateral hypogastric neurectomy (HYPX). In some rats, drugs were delivered via the tail vein. Regarding bladder, WIN2 dose-dependently reduced MTs in all groups. Both bladder inflammation and HYPX significantly increased this effect. Regarding uterus, WIN2 dose-dependently increased uterine contraction amplitude. Bladder inflammation or HYPX significantly decreased this effect. Coinjection of the CB1 antagonist SR141716A (SR) (1.5 micromol/kg) and WIN2 (0.5 micromol/kg) abolished or reduced the effects of WIN2 in both organs. SR alone had significant effects only after HYPX, reducing both MT and uterine contraction amplitude. The vehicle (0.4% DMSO) and inactive enantiomer S(-)-WIN 55,212-3 were both ineffective. Close-arterial injections of WIN2 (0.5 micromol/kg) produced significantly larger effects in both organs than tail vein injections. These results indicate that, whereas WIN2 reduces bladder motility, it mainly increases uterine motility, likely via CB1 receptors located in the two organs. The opposing effects of bladder inflammation and HYPX on the potency of WIN in the two organs suggest a neurally mediated viscero-visceral interaction in which bladder inflammation influences uterine CB1 sensitivity, possibly by inhibiting adrenergic input to the uterus.
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