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Centeno LAM, Bastos HBA, Bueno VLC, Trentin JM, Fiorenza M, Panziera W, Winter GHZ, Kretzmann NA, Fiala-Rechsteiner S, Mattos RC, Rubin MIB. Collagen and collagenases in mare's endometrium with endometrosis. Theriogenology 2024; 230:28-36. [PMID: 39243629 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.08.031] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Equine endometrosis is a degenerative and predominantly fibrotic condition resulting from progressive and irreversible multifactorial causes that influence the endometrium of mare. Tissue remodeling in the equine endometrium occurs as part of the pathogenesis of endometrosis, a process characterized by a shift in extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The relationship between matrix metalloproteinases and their specific inhibitors is crucial for the remodeling process. Collagen play a significant role in maintaining a healthy uterus and may promote fibrotic processes. The aim of this study was to quantify endometrial collagen deposition using picrosirius 25 red (PSR) staining, and to evaluate gene expression of collagen type 2 (COL-2) and 3 (COL-3), matrix metalloproteinases 1 (MMP-1) and 2 (MMP-2), their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the endometrium of mares with different grades of fibrosis. The samples (n = 34) were classified into three categories based on the frequency and distribution of fibrosis-related changes in the endometrium: Category I (healthy endometrium, n = 12), Category II (moderate fibrosis, n = 12), and Category III (severe fibrosis, n = 10). Collagen quantification demonstrate a substantial proportional increase (P < 0.0001) in collagen deposition across Category I (11.72 ± 1.39 %), Category II (17.76 ± 1.29 %), and Category III (24.15 ± 1.87 %). In transcript evaluations, higher COL-2 expression was found in Category II than in mares classified as Category I or III. MMP-1 showed increased transcript expression in Category II compared to Category III endometrial samples. Higher expression of MMP-2 was detected in Category III than in Category I and II. TIMP-2 showed lower mRNA expression in Category III vs Category I and II. However, TNF-α gene expression was higher in Category II than in Categories I and III. This study demonstrates that endometrial evaluation using PSR can play an important role in routine analyses for the detection and objective quantification of collagen in endometrial tissues. Additionally, this study demonstrated through gene expression analysis that MMP-1 may be linked to physiological endometrial remodeling. In contrast, MMP-2 could be associated with fibrogenesis in the endometrium, which is regulated by the inhibitor TIMP-2. Furthermore, COL-2 and TNF-α could be considered as biological markers involved in the progression endometrosis in mares. As such, the results of this study may contribute to the development of future antifibrotic therapies that aim to delay or even reverse the pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the uterus, in addition to optimizing the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial fibrosis in mares.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henrique B A Bastos
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Verônica L C Bueno
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil; Historep - Institute of Biology, UFPEL, Pelotas, RS, 96160-000, Brazil
| | | | - MarianiF Fiorenza
- Biorep - Department of Large Animal Clinic, UFSM, RS, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Welden Panziera
- Setor de Patologia - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, RS, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Z Winter
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Nelson A Kretzmann
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Sandra Fiala-Rechsteiner
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil; Historep - Institute of Biology, UFPEL, Pelotas, RS, 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo C Mattos
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Mara I B Rubin
- Reprolab - Faculty of Veterinary, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
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Ali HES, Scoggin K, Murase H, Norris J, Menarim B, Dini P, Ball B. Transcriptomic and histochemical analysis reveal the complex regulatory networks in equine Chorioallantois during spontaneous term labor. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1296-1310. [PMID: 35913756 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac154] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The equine chorioallantois (CA) undergoes complex physical and biochemical changes during labor. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling these changes are still unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to characterize the transcriptome of equine CA during spontaneous labor and compare it to that of normal preterm CA. Placental samples were collected postpartum from mares with normal term labor (TL group, n = 4) and from preterm not in labor mares (330 days GA; PTNL group, n = 4). Our study identified 4137 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1820 upregulated and 2317 downregulated) in CA during TL as compared to PTNL. TL was associated with the upregulation of several pro-inflammatory mediators (MHC-I, MHC-II, NLRP3, CXCL8, and MIF). Also, TL was associated with the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9) with subsequent extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, as reflected by upregulation of several apoptosis-related genes (ATF3, ATF4, FAS, FOS, and BIRC3). In addition, TL was associated with downregulation of 21 transcripts coding for collagens. The upregulation of proteases, along with the downregulation of collagens, is believed to be implicated in separation and rupture of the CA during TL. Additionally, TL was associated with downregulation of transcripts coding for proteins essential for progestin synthesis (SRD5A1 and AKR1C1) and angiogenesis (VEGFA and RTL1), as well as upregulation of prostaglandin synthesis-related genes (PTGS2 and PTGES), which could reflect the physiological switch in placental endocrinology and function during TL. In conclusion, our findings revealed the equine CA gene expression signature in spontaneous labor at term, which improves our understanding of the molecular mechanisms triggering labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.,Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Harutaka Murase
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan
| | - Jamie Norris
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Bruno Menarim
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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Boakari YL, El-Sheikh Ali H, Dini P, Loux S, Fernandes CB, Scoggin K, Esteller-Vico A, Lawrence L, Ball B. Elevated blood urea nitrogen alters the transcriptome of equine embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:1239-1249. [PMID: 33108747 DOI: 10.1071/rd20088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in cows and ewes has a negative effect on embryo development; however, no comparable studies have been published in mares. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of high BUN on blastocoele fluid, systemic progesterone and Day 14 equine embryos. When a follicle with a mean (±s.e.m.) diameter of 25±3mm was detected, mares were administered urea (0.4g kg-1) with sweet feed and molasses (n=9) or sweet feed and molasses alone (control; n=10). Blood samples were collected every other day. Mares were subjected to AI and the day ovulation was detected was designated as Day 0. Embryos were collected on Day 14 (urea-treated, n=5 embryos; control, n=7 embryos). There was an increase in systemic BUN in the urea-treated group compared with control (P<0.05), with no difference in progesterone concentrations. There were no differences between the two groups in embryo recovery or embryo size. Urea concentrations in the blastocoele fluid tended to be higher in the urea-treated mares, with a strong correlation with plasma BUN. However, there was no difference in the osmolality or pH of the blastocoele fluid between the two groups. Differentially expressed genes in Day 14 embryos from urea-treated mares analysed by RNA sequencing were involved in neurological development, urea transport, vascular remodelling and adhesion. In conclusion, oral urea treatment in mares increased BUN and induced transcriptome changes in Day 14 equine embryos of genes important in normal embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatta Linhares Boakari
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1010 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Theriogenology Department, University of Mansoura, 25 El Gomhouria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Pouya Dini
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
| | - Shavahn Loux
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Claudia Barbosa Fernandes
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Animal Reproduction, Rua da Reitoria, 374, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Alejandro Esteller-Vico
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Laurie Lawrence
- Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Corresponding author.
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Boakari YL, El-Sheikh Ali H, Schnobrich M, Lofrumento K, Scoggin C, Bradecamp E, Scoggin K, Esteller-Vico A, Claes A, Lawrence L, Ball B. Relationships between blood and follicular fluid urea nitrogen concentrations and between blood urea nitrogen and embryo survival in mares. Theriogenology 2020; 160:142-150. [PMID: 33220572 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.039] [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: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
High blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration is linked to low fertility in cows and ewes; however, this relationship has not been reported in mares. The study characterized the relationship between BUN and follicular fluid urea nitrogen (FUN) during follicle growth (Experiment 1) and the impact of BUN from embryo donors on the pregnancy outcome of recipient mares (Experiment 2). In experiment one, follicular fluid and blood samples were collected from mares during diestrus with growing follicles and during estrus with pre-ovulatory follicles (n = 16 and 10 mares, respectively). In experiment two, BUN concentrations of embryo donors were related to pregnancy outcome after embryo transfer. In experiment one, there was a strong positive correlation between BUN and FUN (R = 0.83; P < 0.0001), with higher BUN in mares with growing follicles than with preovulatory follicles (P = 0.004) and higher FUN in growing follicles than in preovulatory follicles (P = 0.031). In experiment two, BUN was higher in donor mares that produced unsuccessful embryos compared to donor mares that produced embryos resulting in successful pregnancies at D14 (P < 0.03). Additionally, there was an effect of age (P = 0.01) and interaction between age and lactation (P = 0.009) in donor mares for embryo survival after embryo transfer. Donor mares with unsuccessful embryos were older than donor mares with successful embryos. Therefore, these experiments showed that BUN was related to follicular fluid environment as well as to the survival of Day 7-8 embryos after transfer to recipient mares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatta Linhares Boakari
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Theriogenology Department, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Maria Schnobrich
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA
| | - Kristina Lofrumento
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA
| | - Charlie Scoggin
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA
| | - Etta Bradecamp
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Alejandro Esteller-Vico
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, USA
| | - Anthony Claes
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584, the Netherlands
| | - Laurie Lawrence
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
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El-Sheikh Ali H, Scoggin K, Linhares Boakari Y, Dini P, Loux S, Fedorka C, Esteller-Vico A, Ball B. Kinetics of placenta-specific 8 (PLAC8) in equine placenta during pregnancy and placentitis. Theriogenology 2020; 160:81-89. [PMID: 33189077 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Placenta-specific 8 (PLAC8) is one of the placenta-regulatory genes which is highly conserved among eutherian mammals. However, little is known about its expression in equine placenta (chorioallantois; CA and endometrium; EN) during normal and abnormal pregnancy. Therefore, the current study was designed to 1) elucidate the expression of PLAC8 in equine embryonic membranes during the preimplantation period, 2) characterize the expression profile of PLAC8 in equine CA (45d, 4mo, 6mo, 10 mo, 11 mo and postpartum) and EN (14d, 4mo, 6mo, 10 mo, and 11 mo) obtained from pregnant mares (n = 4/timepoint), as well as, d14 non-pregnant EN (n = 4), and 3) investigate the expression profile of PLAC8 in ascending placentitis (n = 5) and in nocardioform placentitis (n = 6) in comparison to normal CA. In the preimplantation period, PLAC8 mRNA was not abundant in the trophectoderm of d8 equine embryo and d14 conceptus, while it was abundant later in d 30, 31, 34, and 45 chorion. In normal pregnancy, PLAC8 mRNA expression in CA at 45 d gradually decline to reach nadir at 6mo before gradually increasing to its peak at 11mo and postpartum CA. The mRNA expression of PLAC8 was significantly upregulated in CA from mares with ascending and nocardioform placentitis compared to control mares. Immunohistochemistry revealed that PLAC8 is localized in equine chorionic epithelium and immune cells. Our results revealed that PLAC8 expression in equine chorion is dynamic during pregnancy and is regulated in an implantation-dependent manner. Moreover, PLAC8 is implicated in the immune response in CA during equine ascending placentitis and nocardioform placentitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Yatta Linhares Boakari
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Pouya Dini
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
| | - Shavahn Loux
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Carleigh Fedorka
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Alejandro Esteller-Vico
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
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Linhares Boakari Y, El-Sheikh Ali H, Dini P, Loux S, Barbosa Fernandes C, Esteller-Vico A, Scoggin K, Lawrence L, Ball B. Effect of oral urea supplementation on the endometrial transcriptome of mares. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 216:106464. [PMID: 32414463 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106464] [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: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
An intravenous large dose of protein led to an increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), resulting in a lesser uterine pH and altered uterine gene expression in mares. The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of a more physiological methodology to increase BUN on the endometrium of mares. Mares were fed hay and a treatment or control diet (n = 11 mares/treatment) in a crossover design starting at time of ovulation detection (D0) and continuing until D7. Mares of the treated group were fed urea (0.4 g/kg BW) with sweet feed and molasses, and those of the control group were fed sweet feed and molasses. Blood samples were collected daily, 1 hour after feeding, for BUN determination. Uterine and vaginal pH were determined after the last feeding on D7, and endometrial biopsies were performed. The RNA sequencing of the endometrium of a subset of mares (n = 6/treatment) was conducted. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between treatments were calculated (FDR-adjusted P-value<0.1). Urea-treated mares had greater BUN (P < 0.05), with no differences in uterine and vaginal pH compared to control mares. A total of 60 DEGs were characterized, those with largest fold change were SIK1, ATF3, SPINK7, NR4A1 and EGR3. Processes related to necrosis and cellular movement were predicted with the DEGs. Dietary administration of urea resulted in transcriptomic changes in the endometrium of mares related to necrosis, tissue remodeling and concentration of lipids. The observed changes in gene expression after an increased BUN might result in a disruption to the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatta Linhares Boakari
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, USA.
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA; Theriogenology Department, University of Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Pouya Dini
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium.
| | - Shavahn Loux
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA.
| | | | | | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA.
| | - Laurie Lawrence
- Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
| | - Barry Ball
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA.
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