A synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (g.36417726C > A) in the Lama2 gene influencing fat deposition is associated with post-partum anestrus interval in Murrah buffalo

Postpartum absence of estrus exhibition known as postpartum anestrus interval (PPAI) for more than 90 days after calving is a concerning issue for dairy buffalo farmers' economy. The PPAI duration is influenced by both management practices and animal genetics. Investigating genetic markers associated with PPAI is crucial for incorporating them into marker-assisted selection programs. Towards this goal, our study focused on exploring potential genetic markers from early postpartum adipose tissue gene networks. We successfully identified 24 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within 9 candidate genes. In our initial analysis involving 100 buffaloes, we detected a significant association (P = 0.02267) between a specific synonymous SNP within the Lama2 gene (g.36417726C > A) and PPAI. This finding was subsequently validated (P = 0.02937) in a larger cohort of 415 buffaloes, where the SNP explained 1.36 % of the genetic variance. Intriguingly, buffaloes with the CC genotype of this SNP exhibited a PPAI that was 12.71 ± 3.21 days longer compared to buffaloes with AA and CA genotypes. To gain insight into the functional relevance of this SNP, a computational analysis was performed which indicated that the C allele of the SNP (g.36417726C > A) increased the stability of LAMA2 mRNA compared to the A allele. This computational prediction was corroborated by observing a significant increase (P = 0.01798) in Lama2 gene expression (greater than 8-fold) and higher fat percentage (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue of CC genotypes (48.78 ± 1.87 %) compared to AA genotypes (33.59 ± 4.5 %). Furthermore, we noted a significant (P < 0.05) upregulation of C/ebpβ, Pparγ, Fasn, C/ebpα, and Pnpla2 genes, along with the downregulation of Bmp2 and Ptch1 in CC genotypes as opposed to AA genotypes. This observation suggests the involvement of the Pparγ-mediated pathway in both adipogenesis and lipolysis within CC genotypes. In summary, our comprehensive analysis involving association and functional validation underscores the potential of the SNP (g.36417726C > A) within the Lama2 gene as a promising genetic marker against extended PPAI in Murrah buffalo.

Identification of genetic variants and individual genes associated with postpartum hypocalcemia in Holstein cows

Periparturient hypocalcemia is a complex metabolic disorder that occurs at the onset of lactation because of a sudden irreversible loss of Ca incorporated into colostrum and milk. Some cows are unable to quickly adapt to this demand and succumb to clinical hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, whereas a larger proportion of cows develop subclinical hypocalcemia. The main goal of this study was to identify causative mutations and candidate genes affecting postpartum blood calcium concentration in Holstein cows. Data consisted of blood calcium concentration measured in 2513 Holstein cows on the first three days after parturition. All cows had genotypic information for 79 k SNP markers. Two consecutive rounds of imputation were performed: first, the 2513 Holstein cows were imputed from 79 k to 312 k SNP markers. This imputation was performed using a reference set of 17,131 proven Holstein bulls with 312 k SNP markers. Then, the 2513 Holstein cows were imputed from 312 k markers to whole-genome sequence data. This second round of imputation used 179 Holstein animals from the 1000 Bulls Genome Project as a reference set. Three alternative phenotypes were evaluated: (1) total calcium concentration in the first 24 h postpartum, (2) total calcium concentration in the first 72 h postpartum calculated as the area under the curve; and (3) the recovery of total calcium concentration calculated as the difference in total calcium concentration between 72 and 24 h. The identification of genetic variants associated with these traits was performed using a two-step mixed model-based approach implemented in the R package MixABEL. The most significant variants were located within or near genes involved in calcium homeostasis and vitamin D transport (GC), calcium and potassium channels (JPH3 and KCNK13), energy and lipid metabolism (CA5A, PRORP, and SREBP1), and immune response (IL12RB2 and CXCL8), among other functions. This work provides the foundation for the development of novel breeding and management tools for reducing the incidence of periparturient hypocalcemia in dairy cattle.

Effects of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and subjective birth experience on the risk of postpartum depression and maternal bonding

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious health care issue that affects a substantial share of women giving birth. PPD is considered a severe stress response that is likely associated with impaired HPA-axis activity. However, genetic findings regarding HPA-axis effects on PPD are scarce and inconsistent. Inconsistencies may be due to the neglect of environmental (stressful) events such as perinatal trauma or averse subjective birth experiences associated with PPD. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate whether the NR3C1 gene and subjective birth experience interact on PPD and postpartum bonding to the child. N = 277 mothers provided gene samples and self-report data on PPD and postpartum bonding. We genotyped 11 polymorphisms on the NR3C1 gene (including the prominent BCL1) and conducted haplotype analyses. A negative subjective birth experience was associated with both PPD and maternal postpartum bonding. Our results further show a significant main effect of NR3C1 haplotype (F_{1, 275} = 6.42, p = .012, η² =.023) and a haplotype x birth experience interaction (F_{1, 274} = 4.57, p = .033, η² =.016) on PPD. We did not find any NR3C1 haplotype effects on bonding. Our results support the assumption that the glucocorticoid receptor coding NR3C1 gene is involved in the development of PPD. These gene effects become particularly important in presence of a negative environmental event such as the subjective birth experience. This finding allows more targeted preventions in terms of being particularly sensitive to potentially harming environmental influences that may present even stronger risk factors for genetically vulnerable women.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 deletion in mice impacts maternal cardiac function during pregnancy and postpartum

Reversible physiological cardiac hypertrophy of the maternal heart occurs during pregnancy and involves extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Previous mouse studies revealed that changes in ECM molecules accompany functional changes in the left ventricle (LV) during late pregnancy and postpartum. We evaluated the effect of global Timp4 deletion in female mice on LV functional parameters and ECM molecules during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Heart weights normalized to tibia lengths were increased in Timp4 knockout (Timp4 KO) virgin, pregnant, and postpartum day 2 mice compared with wild types. Serial echocardiography performed on pregnancy days 10, 12, and 18 and postpartum days (ppds) 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 revealed that both wild-type and Timp4 KO mice increased end systolic and end diastolic volumes (ESV, EDV) by mid to late pregnancy compared with virgins, with EDV changes persisting through the postpartum period. When compared with wild types, Timp4 KO mice exhibited higher ejection fractions in virgins, at pregnancy days 10 and 18 and ppd2 and ppd14. High-molecular weight forms of COL1A1 and COL3A1 proteins in LV were greater in Timp4 KO virgins, and COL1A1 was higher in late pregnancy and on ppd2 compared with wild types. With exceptions, Timp4 KO mice during late pregnancy and the early postpartum period were able to maintain stroke volume similar to wild-type mice through increased ejection fraction. Although TIMP4 deletion in females exhibited altered ECM molecules, it did not adversely affect cardiac function during first pregnancies and lactation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pregnancy and lactation increase volume load on the heart. Defects in cardiac remodeling during pregnancy and postpartum can result in peripartum cardiomyopathy. TIMPs participate in cardiac remodeling. The present study reports the cardiac function in Timp4 knockout adult female mice during pregnancy and lactation. Timp4 knockout females at many time points have higher ejection fraction to maintain stroke volume. Global deletion of Timp4 was not detrimental to maternal heart function during first pregnancies and lactation.

Transcriptomic Dysregulation of Inflammation-Related Genes in Leukocytes of Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) during and after Pregnancy: Identifying Potential Biomarkers Relevant to Glycemic Abnormality

Although the immune system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), little is known about the transcriptional response of inflammation-related genes linked to metabolic phenotypes of GDM women during and after pregnancy, which may be potential diagnostic classifiers for GDM and biomarkers for predicting AGT. To address these questions, gene expression of IL6, IL8, IL10, IL13, IL18, TNFA, and the nuclear factor κB (NFκB)/RELA transcription factor were quantified in leukocytes of 28 diabetic women at GDM diagnosis (GDM group) and 1-year postpartum (pGDM group: 10 women with AGT and 18 normoglycemic women), using a nested RT-PCR method. Control pregnancies with normal glucose tolerance (NGT group; n = 31) were closely matched for maternal age, gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, pregnancy weight, and gestational weight gain. Compared with the NGT group, IL8 was downregulated in the GDM group, and IL13 and RELA were upregulated in the pGDM group, whereas IL6, IL10, and IL18 were upregulated in the GDM and pGDM groups. The TNFA level did not change from pregnancy to postpartum. Associations of some cytokines with glycemic measures were detected in pregnancy (IL6 and RELA) and postpartum (IL10) (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that IL6, IL8, and IL18, if employed alone, can discriminate GDM patients from NGT individuals at GDM diagnosis, with the area under the ROC curves (AUCs) of 0.844, (95% CI 0.736−0.953), 0.771 (95% CI 0.651−0.890), and 0.714 (95% CI 0.582−0.846), respectively. By the logistic regression method, we also identified a three-gene panel (IL8, IL13, and TNFA) for postpartum AGT prediction. This study demonstrates a different transcriptional response of the studied genes in clinically well-characterized women with GDM at GDM diagnosis and 1-year postpartum, and provides novel transcriptomic biomarkers for future efforts aimed at diagnosing GDM and identifying the high risk of postpartum AGT groups.

Immune cell profiling of preeclamptic pregnant and postpartum women by single-cell RNA sequencing

Preeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is closely related to the immune system alterations. However, little is known about the landscape and heterogeneity of maternal immune system at single-cell level among PE patients. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from three early-onset preeclamptic pregnant women and two healthy control, respectively. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 10× genomics platform and single-cell transcriptomes were obtained to characterize immune cell subgroups at the pregnant and postpartum stages. In total, 80,429 single-cell transcriptomes were obtained. 19 cellular compositions were identified, which were categorized into six cell types including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and conventional dendritic cells. There were excessive activation of B cells, monocytes and NK cells in PE patients at the pregnant stage based on comparative analysis. Lower immune response activation was noticed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PE patients, especially the low-activation of memory T cells at the pregnant and postpartum stages. PE patients showed high activation of B cells in pregnancy persisted postpartum and lower activation of memory T cells, indicating their persistent effects on the pathogenesis and recurrence risk of PE. This study provide a broad characterization of the single-cell transcriptome of PBMCs in PE, which contributes to identification of immune imbalance for its monitoring and treatment.

Meprin A1 subunit beta gene polymorphism is associated with the length of post-partum anestrus interval in Murrah buffaloes

Postpartum anestrus interval (PPAI) is the interval between parturition and the first postpartum estrus exhibition in animals. Appearance of both normal and PPA buffaloes under the same farm conditions indicates the role of possible genetic predisposition to PPA. To identify the genetic and non-genetic factors associated with PPA in buffaloes, we collected data on PPAI and other 38 non-genetic variables from 575 Murrah buffaloes in the field conditions and identified the PPA associated non-genetic factors in our previous study. To explore the genetic factors associated with the unexplained variation in PPAI residuals, the present study identified 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 candidate genes using Sanger sequencing. Exploration of their association with the PPAI residuals of 50 extreme PPA and 50 normal buffaloes identified the significant (P < 0.01) association of the SNP (g.37219977A>G) in the 3'-UTR region of the Meprin A 1 subunit beta (Mep1b) gene with PPAI, which was further validated (P = 0.058) in a large population sample (n = 417). Bioinformatics analysis of the 3'-UTR region has identified three miRNA, bta-miR-2420, bta-miR-2325b and bta-miR-453 that could regulate Igf-1 in the plasma of animals with different genotypes (GG, AG and AA). The higher Igf-1 levels in the GG genotypes than that of AA and AG genotypes of this SNP (g.37219977A>G) further suggest the association of Mep1b gene with PPA condition in Murrah buffaloes. As a result of this study, we propose that buffaloes with protective alleles at this SNP be selected to improve the herd's reproductive efficiency.

Circulatory Neutrophils Exhibit Enhanced Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Early Puerperium: NETs at the Nexus of Thrombosis and Immunity

Pregnancy is associated with elevated maternal levels of cell-free DNA of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) origin, as circulatory neutrophils exhibit increased spontaneous NET formation, mainly driven by G-CSF and finely modulated by sex hormones. The postpartum period, on the other hand, involves physiological alterations consistent with the need for protection against infections and fatal haemorrhage. Our findings indicate that all relevant serum markers of neutrophil degranulation and NET release are substantially augmented postpartum. Neutrophil pro-NETotic activity in vitro is also upregulated particularly in post-delivery neutrophils. Moreover, maternal puerperal neutrophils exhibit a strong pro-NETotic phenotype, associated with increased levels of all key players in the generation of NETs, namely citH3, MPO, NE, and ROS, compared to non-pregnant and pregnant controls. Intriguingly, post-delivery NET formation is independent of G-CSF in contrast to late gestation and complemented by the presence of TF on the NETs, alterations in the platelet activity status, and activation of the coagulation cascade, triggered by circulating microparticles. Taken together, our results reveal the highly pro-NETotic and potentially procoagulant nature of postpartum neutrophils, bridging an overt immune activation with possible harmful thrombotic incidence.

A History of Preterm Delivery Is Associated with Aberrant Postpartal MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Mothers with an Absence of Other Pregnancy-Related Complications

This prospective cross-sectional case-control study investigated the postpartal gene expression of microRNAs associated with diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases in the peripheral white blood cells of women with anamnesis of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (n = 58), spontaneous preterm birth (n = 55), and term delivery (n = 89) by a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. After pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes or spontaneous preterm birth, mothers showed diverse expression profiles for 25 out of 29 tested microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-130b-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p). The earliest gestational ages at delivery and the lowest birth weights of newborns were associated with the highest postpartal levels of the previously mentioned microRNAs in maternal peripheral white blood cells. Administration of tocolytic drugs in order to prolong pregnancy, used in order to administer and complete a full course of antenatal corticosteroids, was associated with alterations in postpartal microRNA expression profiles to a lesser extent than in women with imminent delivery, where there was insufficient time for administration of tocolytics and antenatal corticosteroids. Overall, mothers who did not receive tocolytic therapy (miR-24-3p and miR-146a-5p) and mothers who did not receive corticosteroid therapy (miR-1-3p, miR-100-5p, and miR-143-3p) had increased or showed a trend toward increased postpartal microRNA expression when compared with mothers given tocolytic and corticosteroid therapy. In addition, mothers with serum C-reactive protein levels above 20 mg/L, who experienced preterm labour, showed a trend toward increased postpartal expression profiles of miR-143-3p and miR-199a-5p when compared with mothers with normal serum C-reactive protein levels. On the other hand, the occurrence of maternal leukocytosis, the presence of intra-amniotic inflammation (higher levels of interleukin 6 in the amniotic fluid), and the administration of antibiotics at the time of preterm delivery had no impact on postpartal microRNA expression profiles in mothers with a history of preterm delivery. Likewise, the condition of the newborns at the moment of birth, determined by Apgar scores at 5 and 10 min and the pH of cord arterial blood, had no influence on the postpartal expression profiles of mothers with a history of preterm delivery. These findings may contribute to explaining the increased cardiovascular risk in mothers with anamnesis of preterm delivery, and the greater increase of maternal cardiovascular risk with the decrease of gestational age at delivery. Women with preterm delivery in their anamnesis represent a high-risk group with special needs on a long-term basis, with a need to apply preventive and therapeutic interventions as early as possible.

Heart rate variability in dairy cows with postpartum fever during night phase

Autonomic nervous function evaluated by heart rate variability (HRV) and blood characteristics were compared between Holstein Friesian cows that developed postpartum fever (PF; n = 5) and clinically healthy (CH; n = 6) puerperal cows in this case-control study. A cow was defined as having PF when its rectal temperature rose to ≥39.5°C between 1 and 3 days postpartum. We recorded electrocardiograms during this period using a Holter-type electrocardiograph and applied power spectral analysis of HRV. Comparisons between the groups were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney U test, and the relationship between rectal temperature and each parameter was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Heart rate was higher in PF cows than in CH cows (Mean ± SE, 103.3 ± 2.7 vs. 91.5 ± 1.7 bpm). This result suggested that PF cows had a relatively dominant sympathetic nervous function. Total (44,472 ± 2,301 vs. 55,373 ± 1,997 ms) and low frequency power (24.5 ± 3.8 vs. 39.9 ± 5.3 ms) were lower in PF cows than in CH cows. These findings were possibly caused by a reduction in autonomic nervous function. The total white blood cell count (54.3 ± 5.1 vs. 84.5 ± 6.4 ×10²/μL) and the serum magnesium (2.1 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 mg/dL) and iron (81.5 ± 8.0 vs. 134.4 ± 9.1 μg/dL) concentrations were lower and the serum amyloid A concentration (277 ± 33 vs. 149 ± 21 μg/mL) was higher in PF cows than in CH cows. These results imply that more inflammation was present in PF cows than in CH cows. Multiple regression analysis showed that both of low frequency power and concentration of serum iron were associated with rectal temperature. We found differences in changes in hematologic results, biochemical findings, and HRV patterns between PF cows and CH cows.

The Multi-Faced Role of PAPP-A in Post-Partum Breast Cancer: IGF-Signaling is Only the Beginning

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling and control of local bioavailability of free IGF by the IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) are important regulators of both mammary development and breast cancer. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified small nucleotide polymorphisms that reduce the expression of IGFBP-5 as a risk factor of developing breast cancer. This observation suggests that genetic alterations leading to a decreased level of IGFBP-5 may also contribute to breast cancer. In the current review, we focus on Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A (PAPP-A), a protease involved in the degradation of IGFBP-5. PAPP-A is overexpressed in the majority of breast cancers but its role in cancer has only begun to be explored. More specifically, this review aims at highlighting the role of post-partum involution in the oncogenic function of PAPP-A. Notably, we summarize recent studies indicating that PAPP-A plays a role not only in the degradation of IGFBP-5 but also in the deposition of collagen and activation of the collagen receptor discoidin 2 (DDR2) during post-partum involution. Finally, considering the immunosuppressive microenvironment of post-partum involution, we also discuss the unexpected finding made in Ewing Sarcoma that PAPP-A plays a role in immune evasion. While the immunosuppressive role of PAPP-A in breast cancer remains to be determined, collectively these studies highlight the multifaced role of PAPP-A in cancer that extends well beyond its effect on IGF-signaling.

Effects of Silymarin on milk production, liver enzymes, oxidative status and HSP70 gene expression in postparturient Sanjabi ewes

In the sheep farming industry, breeders need suitable strategies in order to improve milk yields. Meanwhile, silymarin (a natural hepatoprotector substance) has beneficial effects on common oxidative stress at the beginning of lactation. This study was the first research to evaluate the effect of silymarin on milk production, liver enzymes, oxidative and HSP70 responses in the postpartum period. Total 20 Sanjabi ewes were divided into two groups: control (group C: no addition) and treated (group T: received a diet supplemented with silymarin at 2000 mg/kg feed for 15 d after lambing). Data indicated that silymarin reduced postpartum body weight(BW) loss. At the same time, the feed intake (FI) rate increased. In addition, the peaks of milk yields could be achieved earlier compared with control ewes (P&lt; 0.05). Treatment decreased milk compositions (fat and protein) on days 10 and 15. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in group T were significantly lower than group C (P&lt; 0.05). Also, the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, and Catalase) were increased. Silymarin remarkable increased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values (P&lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, an increasing trend in the total protein levels was recorded in group T as compared to group C (P&gt; 0.05). The QRT-PCR analysis showed that silymarin supplemental reduced expression of HSP70 gene in blood serum (P&lt; 0.05). It means that changing the diet can affect the activity of heat shock proteins that consequently changes the quality of animal products. In conclusion, our observation relieved that silymarin treatment in the puerperium periodis potentially an effective strategy to improve milk quality via dual hep at oprotective and antioxidant functions.

Dynamic DNA methylation changes in the maternal oxytocin gene locus (OXT) during pregnancy predict postpartum maternal intrusiveness

Maternal behavior (MB) is observable across mammals and represents an important feature of environmental variation during early postnatal development. Oxytocin (OT) plays a crucial role in MB. Even prior to childbirth, pregnancy induces epigenetic and other downstream changes in the maternal OT-system, likely mediated by the actions of steroid hormones. However, little is known about the nature and consequences of epigenetic modifications in the maternal OT-encoding gene (OXT) during pregnancy. Our study aims to investigate temporal dynamics of OXT promoter DNA methylation (DNAm) throughout pregnancy in predicting MB in humans. In 107 mother-child dyads, maternal OXT DNAm was serially analyzed in whole blood in early, mid and late pregnancy. MB was coded based on standardized mother-child interactions at six months postpartum. After controlling for cellular heterogeneity, race/ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, OXT-promoter DNAm exhibited a dynamic profile during pregnancy (b = 0.026, t=-3.37, p < .001), with decreases in DNAm from early to mid-pregnancy and no further change until late pregnancy. Moreover, dynamic DNAm trajectories of the OXT-promoter region predicted MB (intrusiveness) at six months postpartum (b = 0.006, t = 2.0, p < 0.05), with 6% higher OXT DNAm in late pregnancy in intrusive compared to non-intrusive mothers. We here demonstrate that OXT promoter DNAm changes significantly throughout gestation in peripheral blood and that these changes are associated with variability in MB, providing a novel potential biomarker predicting postnatal MB.

Oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and father support interact to predict depressive symptoms postpartum

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating mental illness affecting approximately 13% of mothers after birth. Both genetic and psychosocial factors contribute to PPD risk, but very little is known about how these factors interact. We tested whether the rs53576 polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene accounts for variation in the impact of low social support as a risk factor for depression among mothers during the perinatal period. New mothers (N = 220) provided saliva or blood DNA samples and completed surveys assessing PPD symptoms and perceived social support. In a significant interaction, social support from the baby's father predicted PPD symptoms to a greater extent among mothers with the GG compared to AG and AA genotypes. These results add to converging evidence that variation in OXTR rs53576 moderates the impact of the social environment on PPD.

Postpartum inhibition of ovarian steroid action increases aspects of maternal caregiving and reduces medial preoptic area progesterone receptor expression in female rats

The rapid peripartum onset of maternal caregiving involves progesterone synergizing with estradiol, but prolonging progesterone exposure past this time can prevent the emergence of mothering. Interestingly, there is a 7-10day-long rise in progesterone during mid-lactation, but its effects on mothering are unknown. Given progesterone's potential to inhibit mothering onset, this mid-lactational rise may contribute to the normal attenuation of caregiving behaviors across lactation. To evaluate this, recently-parturient rats were ovariectomized and caregiving observed from postpartum days (PPD) 7-18. Ovariectomized dams were found to lick, hover over, and nurse in kyphosis more frequently than controls. Ovariectomy also decreased medial preoptic area (mPOA) progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA, which was negatively correlated with pup licking and kyphosis, but it did not affect mPOA levels of oxytocin receptor or vasopressin V1a receptor mRNAs. In a second study, gonadally intact dams were given the PR antagonist, RU 486, and were found to display more kyphosis and less supine nursing compared to controls. Finally, progesterone sensitivity across lactation was examined by measuring numbers of PR immunoreactive (PR-ir) cells in the mPOA, ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTv) and periaqueductal gray (PAG). PR-ir was higher in the mPOA at parturition compared to virgins, while PR-ir in the mPOA and BSTv dropped from parturition to PPD 7 and remained low through PPD 18. The number of PR-ir cells in the PAG was constant. Thus, in addition to their well-known prepartum effects, ovarian hormones limit the display of some maternal behaviors during mid-to-late lactation and contribute to their decline as weaning approaches.

Polymorphisms of Leptin (G2548A) and Leptin Receptor (Q223R and K109R) Genes and Blood Pressure During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Cohort

BACKGROUND

The genetic component related to blood pressure (BP) changes during pregnancy is still not elucidated. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the association between leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms and systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) variation during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

METHODS

Prospective cohort of 146 women followed at a Public Health Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during pregnancy and the postpartum. SBP and DBP (mm Hg) were measured using an automatic sphygmomanometer. DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform protocol and leptin (G2548A) and leptin receptor genes (Q223R and K109R) polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time PCR method. Statistical analyses included longitudinal linear mixed-effect models.

RESULTS

Adjusted longitudinal models showed that women carrying the G-allele of leptin gene's polymorphism began pregnancy with higher BP levels compared to the AA genotype and their levels remained higher throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period (β _SBP = 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-8.0; P = 0.012; β _DBP = 2.9; 95% CI = 0.1-5.8; P = 0.040). There was a significant interaction between leptin gene polymorphism and body mass index (BMI), in which the effect of BMI on increasing BP was steeper in women homozygous for the A-allele, compared with those who had at least one G-allele (β _G-allele#BMI = -0.8; 95% CI = -1.5 to -0.1; P = 0.022). We did not find significant associations between leptin receptor polymorphisms and BP changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The G-allele of leptin gene polymorphism (G2548A) was associated with increased BP levels during pregnancy and the postpartum. Furthermore, leptin polymorphism genotypes seem to modify the well-known effect of BMI on BP.

Zinc-Associated Variant in SLC30A8 Gene Interacts With Gestational Weight Gain on Postpartum Glycemic Changes: A Longitudinal Study in Women With Prior Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Zinc transporter 8 genetic variant SLC30A8 has been associated with postpartum risk of type 2 diabetes among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Gestational weight gain is one of the strongest risk factors for postpartum hyperglycemia. We assessed the interaction between type 2 diabetes-associated SLC30A8 rs13266634 and gestational weight gain on 1-5 years of postpartum glycemic changes in 1,071 women with prior GDM in a longitudinal study. Compared with gestation of 26-30 weeks, postpartum levels of fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test 2-h glucose, and hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) increased across rs13266634 TT, CT, and CC genotypes in women with excessive gestational weight gain, whereas opposite genetic associations were found in women with inadequate or adequate gestational weight gain. Postpartum changes in fasting glucose per additional copy of the C allele were -0.18, -0.04, and 0.12 mmol/L in women with inadequate, adequate, and excessive gestational weight gain, respectively (P for interaction = 0.002). We also found similar interactions for changes in 2-h glucose and HbA_1c (P for interaction = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Our data indicate that gestational weight gain may modify SLC30A8 variant on long-term glycemic changes, highlighting the importance of gestational weight control in the prevention of postpartum hyperglycemia in women with GDM.

Human Milk Cells and Lipids Conserve Numerous Known and Novel miRNAs, Some of Which Are Differentially Expressed during Lactation

Human milk (HM) is rich in miRNAs, which are thought to contribute to infant protection and development. We used deep sequencing to profile miRNAs in the cell and lipid fractions of HM obtained post-feeding from 10 lactating women in months 2, 4, and 6 postpartum. In both HM fractions, 1,195 mature known miRNAs were identified, which were positively associated with the cell (p = 0.048) and lipid (p = 0.010) content of HM. An additional 5,167 novel miRNA species were predicted, of which 235 were high-confidence miRNAs. HM cells contained more known miRNAs than HM lipids (1,136 and 835 respectively, p<0.001). Although the profile of the novel miRNAs was very different between cells and lipids, with the majority conserved in the cell fraction and being mother-specific, 2/3 of the known miRNAs common between cells and lipids were similarly expressed (p>0.05). Great similarities between the two HM fractions were also found in the profile of the top 20 known miRNAs. These were largely similar also between the three lactation stages examined, as were the total miRNA concentration, and the number and expression of the known miRNAs common between cells and lipids (p>0.05). Yet, approximately a third of all known miRNAs were differentially expressed during the first 6 months of lactation (p<0.05), with more pronounced miRNA upregulation seen in month 4. These findings indicate that although the total miRNA concentration of HM cells and lipids provided to the infant does not change in first 6 months of lactation, the miRNA composition is altered, particularly in month 4 compared to months 2 and 6. This may reflect the remodeling of the gland in response to infant feeding patterns, which usually change after exclusive breastfeeding, suggesting adaptation to the infant’s needs.

Affective changes during the postpartum period: Influences of genetic and experiential factors

This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". The postpartum period involves some truly transformational changes in females' socioemotional behaviors. For most female laboratory rodents and women, these changes include an improvement in their affective state, which has positive consequences for their ability to sensitively care for their offspring. There is heterogeneity among females in the likelihood of this positive affective change, though, and some women experience elevated anxiety or depression (or in rodents anxiety- or depression-related behaviors) after giving birth. We aim to contribute to the understanding of this heterogeneity in maternal affectivity by reviewing selected components of the scientific literatures on laboratory rodents and humans examining how mothers' physical contact with her infants, genetics, history of anxiety and depression and early-life and recent-life experiences contribute to individual differences in postpartum affective states. These studies together indicate that multiple biological and environmental factors beyond female maternal state shape affective responses during the postpartum period, and probably do so in an interactive manner. Furthermore, the similar capacity of some of these factors to modulate anxiety and depression in human and rodent mothers suggests cross-species conservation of mechanisms regulating postpartum affectivity.

Different Blood Cell-Derived Transcriptome Signatures in Cows Exposed to Vaccination Pre- or Postpartum

Periparturient cows have been found to reveal immunosuppression, frequently associated with increased susceptibility to uterine and mammary infections. To improve understanding of the causes and molecular regulatory mechanisms accounting for this phenomenon around calving, we examined the effect of an antigen challenge on gene expression modulation on cows prior to (BC) or after calving (AC) using whole transcriptome sequencing (RNAseq). The transcriptome analysis of the cows’ blood identified a substantially higher number of loci affected in BC cows (2,235) in response to vaccination compared to AC cows (208) and revealed a divergent transcriptional profile specific for each group. In BC cows, a variety of loci involved in immune defense and cellular signaling processes were transcriptionally activated, whereas protein biosynthesis and posttranslational processes were tremendously impaired in response to vaccination. Furthermore, energy metabolism in the blood cells of BC cows was shifted from oxidative phosphorylation to the glycolytic system. In AC cows, the number and variety of regulated pathways involved in immunomodulation and maintenance of immnunocompetence are considerably lower after vaccination, and upregulation of arginine degradation was suggested as an immunosuppressive mechanism. Elevated transcript levels of erythrocyte-specific genes involved in gas exchange processes were a specific transcriptional signature in AC cows pointing to hematopoiesis activation. The divergent and substantially lower magnitude of transcriptional modulation in response to vaccination in AC cows provides evidence for a suppressed immune capacity of early lactating cows on the molecular level and demonstrates that an efficient immune response of cows is related to their physiological and metabolic status.

Puerperal influence of bovine uterine health status on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors

After parturition, uterine bacterial infections lead to inflammatory processes such as subclinical/clinical endometritis with high prevalence in dairy cows. Endometrial epithelial cells participate in this immune response with the production of pro-inflammatory factors. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the endometrial mRNA expression pattern of pro-inflammatory factors during a selected postpartum (pp) period. Dairy cows with three different uterine health conditions on days 24-30 pp (healthy: n = 11, subclinical endometritis: n = 10, clinical endometritis: n = 10) were sampled using the cytobrush technique. Subsequently, each cow was sampled 3 more times in weekly intervals (days 31-37 pp; days 38-44 pp; days 45-51 pp). Samples were subjected to mRNA analysis performed by RT-qPCR. Additionally, an analysis of cultivable bacteria was performed at the early/late stage of the selected puerperal period. mRNA expression of 16 candidate genes was analyzed by using two different approaches. The first approach referred to the initial grouping on days 24-30 pp to reveal long-term effects of the uterine health on the subsequent puerperal period. The second approach considered the current uterine health status at each sampling to elucidate the impact of different points in time. Long-term effects seem to appear for chemokines, prostacyclin synthase and prostaglandin D2 synthase. If related to the current uterine health, the majority of candidate genes were significantly higher expressed in endometritic cows on days 45-51 pp in contrast to earlier stages of the puerperium. Microbiological analysis revealed the significantly higher prevalence of Trueperella pyogenes findings in cows with clinical endometritis on days 24-30 pp, but no correlations were found on days 45-51 pp. In conclusion, a strong immune response to subclinical/clinical endometritis in the late puerperium may be related to the negative impact of these conditions on reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Differentially expressed microRNAs in postpartum breast cancer in Hispanic women

The risk of breast cancer transiently increases immediately following pregnancy; peaking between 3-7 years. The biology that underlies this risk window and the effect on the natural history of the disease is unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to be dysregulated in breast cancer. We conducted miRNA profiling of 56 tumors from a case series of multiparous Hispanic women and assessed the pattern of expression by time since last full-term pregnancy. A data-driven splitting analysis on the pattern of 355 miRNAs separated the case series into two groups: a) an early group representing women diagnosed with breast cancer ≤ 5.2 years postpartum (n = 12), and b) a late group representing women diagnosed with breast cancer ≥ 5.3 years postpartum (n = 44). We identified 15 miRNAs with significant differential expression between the early and late postpartum groups; 60% of these miRNAs are encoded on the X chromosome. Ten miRNAs had a two-fold or higher difference in expression with miR-138, miR-660, miR-31, miR-135b, miR-17, miR-454, and miR-934 overexpressed in the early versus the late group; while miR-892a, miR-199a-5p, and miR-542-5p were underexpressed in the early versus the late postpartum group. The DNA methylation of three out of five tested miRNAs (miR-31, miR-135b, and miR-138) was lower in the early versus late postpartum group, and negatively correlated with miRNA expression. Here we show that miRNAs are differentially expressed and differentially methylated between tumors of the early versus late postpartum, suggesting that potential differences in epigenetic dysfunction may be operative in postpartum breast cancers.

Endogenous CNS expression of neurotensin and neurotensin receptors is altered during the postpartum period in outbred mice

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide identical in mice and humans that is produced and released in many CNS regions associated with maternal behavior. NT has been linked to aspects of maternal care and previous studies have indirectly suggested that endogenous NT signaling is altered in the postpartum period. In the present study, we directly examine whether NT and its receptors exhibit altered gene expression in maternal relative to virgin outbred mice using real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) across multiple brain regions. We also examine NT protein levels using anti-NT antibodies and immunohistochemistry in specific brain regions. In the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which is critical for maternal behaviors, mRNA of NT and NT receptor 3 (Sort1) were significantly up-regulated in postpartum mice compared to virgins. NT mRNA was also elevated in postpartum females in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis dorsal. However, in the lateral septum, NT mRNA was down-regulated in postpartum females. In the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), Ntsr1 expression was down-regulated in postpartum females. Neurotensin receptor 2 (Ntsr2) expression was not altered in any brain region tested. In terms of protein expression, NT immunohistochemistry results indicated that NT labeling was elevated in the postpartum brain in the MPOA, lateral hypothalamus, and two subregions of PVN. Together, these findings indicate that endogenous changes occur in NT and its receptors across multiple brain regions, and these likely support the emergence of some maternal behaviors.

Large scale expression changes of genes related to neuronal signaling and developmental processes found in lateral septum of postpartum outbred mice

Coordinated gene expression changes across the CNS are required to produce the mammalian maternal phenotype. Lateral septum (LS) is a brain region critically involved with aspects of maternal care, and we recently examined gene expression of whole septum (LS and medial septum) in selectively bred maternal mice. Here, we expand on the prior study by 1) conducting microarray analysis solely on LS in virgin and postpartum mice, 2) using outbred mice, and 3) evaluating the role of sensory input on gene expression changes. Large scale changes in genes related to neuronal signaling were identified, including four GABA_A receptor subunits. Subunits α4 and δ were downregulated in maternal LS, likely reflecting a reduction in the extrasynaptic, neurosteroid-sensitive α4/δ containing receptor subtype. Conversely, subunits ε and θ were increased in maternal LS. Fifteen K+ channel related genes showed altered expression, as did dopamine receptors Drd1a and Drd2 (both downregulated), hypocretin receptor 1 (Hcrtr1), kappa opioid receptor 1 (Oprk1), and transient receptor potential channel 4 (Trpc4). Expression of a large number of genes linked to developmental processes or cell differentiation were also altered in postpartum LS, including chemokine (C-X-C) motif ligand 12 (Cxcl12), fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7), plasma membrane proteolipid (Pllp), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (Socs2). Additional genes that are linked to anxiety, such as glutathione reductase (Gsr), exhibited altered expression. Pathway analysis also identified changes in genes related to cyclic nucleotide metabolism, chromatin structure, and the Ras gene family. The sensory presence of pups was found to contribute to the altered expression of a subset of genes across all categories. This study suggests that both large changes in neuronal signaling and the possible terminal differentiation of neuronal and/or glial cells play important roles in producing the maternal state.

Interaction between oxytocin genotypes and early experience predicts quality of mothering and postpartum mood

Individual differences in maternal behavior are affected by both early life experiences and oxytocin, but little is known about genetic variation in oxytocin genes and its effects on mothering. We examined two polymorphisms in the oxytocin peptide gene OXT (rs2740210 and rs4813627) and one polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor gene OXTR (rs237885) in 187 Caucasian mothers at six months postpartum. For OXT, both rs2740210 and rs4813627 significantly associated with maternal vocalizing to the infant. These polymorphisms also interacted with the quality of care mothers experienced in early life, to predict variation in maternal instrumental care and postpartum depression. However, postpartum depression did not mediate the gene-environment effects of the OXT SNPs on instrumental care. In contrast, the OXTR SNP rs237885 did not associate with maternal behavior, but it did associate with pre-natal (but not post-natal) depression score. The findings illustrate the importance of variation in oxytocin genes, both alone and in interaction with early environment, as predictors of individual differences in human mothering. Furthermore, depression does not appear to have a causal role on the variation we report in instrumental care. This suggests that variation in instrumental care varies in association with a gene-early environment effect regardless of current depressive symptomatology. Finally, our findings highlight the importance of examining multiple dimensions of human maternal behavior in studies of genetic associations.

HLA-DQB1 genotypes and islet cell autoantibodies against GAD65 and IA-2 in relation to development of diabetes post partum in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To study HLA-DQB1 genes and islet cell autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GADA) and insulinoma antigen-2 (IA-2A) in relation to diabetes post partum in mothers with diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

During 2003-2004, women undergoing a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during pregnancy were invited to participate in the Mamma Study. Cut-off level defining GDM was a 2-h capillary blood glucose of 7.8 mmol/L. 1-2 years after delivery a 75 g OGTT was performed, GADA and IA-2A were measured and HLA-DQB1 genes analysed. Data were available for 452 mothers with previous GDM and 168 randomly selected control subjects.

RESULTS

HLA-DQB1*0602 was negatively associated with GDM (p=0.033) and with development of diabetes post partum (p=0.017), whereas high risk HLA were not associated with GDM or with diabetes. The presence of GADA post partum was positively associated with diabetes post partum (p=0.0009), but not with impaired glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers with GDM and HLA-DQB1*0602 were less likely to develop diabetes after pregnancy, and type 1 diabetes associated high risk HLA genes did not predict type 1 diabetes post partum. Additionally, GADA were positively associated with diabetes development.

VDR FokI polymorphism and its potential role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus and its complications

The aim of the study is evaluating the associations of FokI vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and its relations with postpartum metabolic syndrome. In a cohort study, 303 women referred to outpatient clinic of Shariati Hospital. The VDR FokI genotypes were determined. All subjects were followed 6?12 weeks after delivery. The frequencies of Ff, FF, and ff genotypes were 30.4% (49), 63.4% (102), and 6.2% (10), respectively, in healthy pregnancies and 34.5% (49), 54.9% (78), and 10.6% (15), respectively, in GDM patients. The ff genotype was more common in GDM patients. Healthy individuals had higher frequency of F allele, suggesting that F allele may have a role in decreased incidence of GDM. Concerning the GDM risk factors, f allele had significant association with prepregnancy obesity and family history of diabetes. In postpartum follow-up, women who developed metabolic syndrome were significantly older with higher prepregnancy body mass index, had more family history of diabetes, and also their ff genotype was two fold more frequent. Our results indicate a meaningful association between FokI VDR genotypes and an increase risk of GDM in Iranian population as well as its effects on postpartum metabolic syndrome.

Chronically increased S6K1 is associated with impaired IRS1 signaling in skeletal muscle of GDM women with impaired glucose tolerance postpartum

CONTEXT

The rapidly increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) globally places a growing population at risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly those with persistent impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) postpartum.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to 1) identify dynamic insulin signaling abnormalities in vivo in a prospective, longitudinal study of GDM women compared to weight-matched pregnant controls both antepartum and postpartum; and 2) determine abnormalities that might distinguish GDM women who normalize their glucose tolerance postpartum from those with persistent IGT.

DESIGN

Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained before and after a 75-g glucose load in nine overweight to obese GDM women and 10 weight-matched pregnant controls antepartum and postpartum. Postpartum biopsies were collected in five weight-matched GDM women with IGT (GDM/IGT).

RESULTS

GDM women had decreased skeletal muscle insulin-stimulated insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) tyrosine activation and reduced IRS1, concomitant with increased basal IRS1 serine phosphorylation and basal p70 S6-kinase (S6K1) activation, which resolved postpartum. However, GDM/IGT subjects had a persistent impairment in IRS1 activation and increased S6K1 phosphorylation compared to GDM subjects with normal glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that women with GDM demonstrate impaired IRS1 signaling associated with increased S6K1 activation in skeletal muscle in vivo. This defect is maintained postpartum in GDM/IGT subjects, despite similar body weights and cytokine levels. Given that GDM women with persistent IGT are at a high risk of developing T2DM, understanding how the nutrient-sensitive mammalian target of rapamycin/S6K1 pathway is chronically activated in GDM may lead to important therapies that could prevent the progression to T2DM.

Within-woman change in regulatory T cells from pregnancy to the postpartum period

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are an important area of investigation in human health and disease. In this study, the trajectory of percentage of Treg cells (defined as CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127--lymphocytes) was measured in the blood of 208 women during pregnancy and up to three additional times in the postpartum period (1, 6 and 12 months postpartum). Whether the trajectory was affected by gravidity, parity, neonatal sex, pet exposure, maternal atopic and asthma status, smoking, maternal race or other pregnancy factors was examined. Multilevel models were fit using full maximum likelihood methods and included both random and fixed effects. Overall, percentages of Treg cells increased from the prenatal to the postpartum period. Among women who were not atopic, nulliparous women had lower percentages of Treg cells over time compared with parous women. Atopic women with pets in the home during pregnancy had lower percentages of Treg cells than atopic women who did not have pets. The trajectory was not affected by the other factors investigated. We conclude that within-woman change in percentages of Treg cells may vary by time in relation to delivery, as well as by maternal atopic status and exposure to pets and number of prior births. The data did not indicate an overall decline in Treg cells in the postpartum period. Future work to better identify the role of Treg cells in successful pregnancy would ideally include a set of well characterized women sampled serially starting prior to pregnancy and throughout the postpartum period.

Blood COX-2 and PGES gene transcription during the peripartum period of dairy cows with normal puerperium or with uterine infection

In the dairy cow, puerperal uterine intra-luminal concentrations of PGE(2) are related to the establishment and severity of uterine infections. Here we evaluated whether the blood concentrations of PGE(2) and the gene transcription profiles of enzymes involved in its synthesis (cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E synthase) could be used as markers of predisposition and/or presence of puerperal uterine infections. We also studied the relationship between the endocrine status and the leukocyte profiles around parturition and the transcription patterns of the genes. Finally, we have characterized the in vitro gene transcription and expression response to a challenge of LPS. Gene transcription profiles, quantified by real-time PCR, were similar in normal puerperium and metritis/endometritis cows, indicating that they are not suitable markers of predisposition to/presence of puerperal uterine infections. Transcription decreased from 2 weeks before parturition until parturition, when a minimum was attained, and then increased during the first week postpartum. The lowest gene transcription, at parturition, was coincidental with the highest total leukocytes, polymorphonuclear neutrophils and CD14 positive cell numbers. It is suggested that by this mechanism, a large number of PMN can be recruited into the uterus after parturition, avoiding an excessive acute inflammatory response. The lowest gene transcription was also coincidental with the surge in cortisol concentrations, indicating that this hormone plays a main immunomodulatory role around parturition. Gene transcription was significantly greater after stimulation with LPS than in non-stimulated blood. We suggest that this PGE(2) producing cells might arrive to the uterine lumen, contributing to the local PGE(2) concentrations and mediating the inflammatory response.

The focal adhesion protein Hic-5 is highly expressed in the rat myometrium during late pregnancy and labour and co-localizes with FAK

BACKGROUND

Myometrial growth and remodeling of the cytoskeleton and focal adhesions during late pregnancy may be critical aspects of myometrial activation and thus labour. Yet our understanding of these aspects is inhibited by the paucity of information concerning the components of focal adhesions in the myometrium. The focal adhesion protein hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone-5 (Hic-5) has recently been found in mononuclear smooth muscle but was not examined in the myometrium during pregnancy. Thus, the goal of this study was to characterize Hic-5 mRNA and protein expression in the rat myometrium during pregnancy and labour.

METHODS

Rat myometrium samples were obtained from non-pregnant animals, pregnant animals on days (d) 6, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23 (active labour) and 1 day postpartum (PP). In addition, myometrium samples were collected from rats within a progesterone-delayed labour paradigm. Hic-5 mRNA expression was analyzed by Northern blot analysis while Hic-5 protein expression was examined by immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis.

RESULTS

Hic-5 mRNA expression on d15, d19 and d21 was found to be significantly elevated compared to d6 and d12 of pregnancy and expression on d23 was significantly elevated over d6 (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that detection of Hic-5 protein in the circular muscle layer appeared to increase from d17 onwards, except PP, and Hic-5 was detectable in the cell cytoplasm and more continuously associated with myometrial cell membranes. In the longitudinal muscle layer Hic-5 was readily detectable by d15 and thereafter and primarily associated at myometrial cell membranes. Co-immunofluorescence analysis of potential Hic-5 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) association in situ demonstrated a limited level of co-localization on d19, d23 and PP in the circular muscle layer while in the longitudinal muscle layer Hic-5 and FAK were readily co-localized at myometrial cell membranes.

CONCLUSION

Hic-5 is highly expressed in the rat myometrium during late pregnancy and labour and co-localizes with FAK in situ. Our results are consistent with a potential role for Hic-5 in focal adhesion remodeling in the rat myometrium during late pregnancy.

Follow-up of newborns treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a nationwide evaluation at 5 years of age

Introduction

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive cardiopulmonary bypass technique for babies with acute reversible cardiorespiratory failure. We assessed morbidity in ECMO survivors at the age of five years, when they start primary school and major decisions for their school careers must be made.

Methods

Five-year-old neonatal venoarterial-ECMO survivors from the two designated ECMO centres in The Netherlands (Erasmus MC – Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam, and University Medical Center Nijmegen) were assessed within the framework of an extensive follow-up programme. The protocol included medical assessment, neuromotor assessment, and psychological assessment by means of parent and teacher questionnaires.

Results

Seventeen of the 98 children included in the analysis (17%) were found to have neurological deficits. Six of those 17 (6% of the total) showed major disability. Two of those six children had a chromosomal abnormality. Three were mentally retarded and profoundly impaired. The sixth child had a right-sided hemiplegia. These six children did not undergo neuromotor assessment. Twenty-four of the remaining 92 children (26%) showed motor difficulties: 15% actually had a motor problem and 11% were at risk for this. Cognitive delay was identified in 11 children (14%). The mean IQ score was within the normal range (IQ = 100.5).

Conclusion

Neonatal ECMO in The Netherlands was found to be associated with considerable morbidity at five years of age. It appeared feasible to have as many as 87% of survivors participate in follow-up assessment, due to cooperation between two centres and small travelling distances. Objective evaluation of the long-term morbidity associated with the application of this highly invasive technology in the immediate neonatal period requires an interdisciplinary follow-up programme with nationwide consensus on timing and actual testing protocol.

Alterations in GABA(A) receptor alpha2 subunit mRNA expression following reproductive experience in rats

BACKGROUND/AIM

Reproductive experience (i.e., pregnancy and lactation) alters anxiety-like behavior. One neurotransmitter system that may mediate the effects of reproductive experience on anxiety-like behavior is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether reproductive experience alters the mRNA expression of selective GABA(A) receptor subunits in brain regions associated with anxiety-like behaviors.

METHODS

Brains were collected from age-matched nulliparous and primiparous female rats in either diestrus or proestrus, and the subunit mRNA expression was determined using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with Taqman.

RESULTS

Increased alpha1 mRNA expression was found in proestrus within both medial preoptic area (MPOA) and medial amygdala (MeA) in nulliparous and primiparous females. The expression of alpha2 mRNA was also increased within the MPOA in proestrus in both nulliparous and primiparous females; however, within the MeA, an increased alpha2 mRNA expression in proestrus was only observed in nulliparous females, with primiparous females having a significantly reduced expression when compared to nulliparous controls. In addition, a significant increase in the expression of alpha2 mRNA expression was observed within the periaqueductal gray of reproductively experienced female rats.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that reproductive experience results in significant shifts in the expression of GABA(A) alpha2 mRNA expression in the MeA.

Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins define specific phases of myometrial differentiation during pregnancy in the rat

While the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is known to regulate uterine function during the estrous cycle, there are limited data on its role in myometrial growth and development during pregnancy. To address this issue, we defined the expression of the Igf hormones (1 and 2), their binding proteins (Igfbp 1-6), and Igf1r receptor genes in pregnant, laboring, and postpartum rat myometrium by real-time PCR. IGF family genes were differentially expressed throughout gestation. Igf1 and Igfbp1 mRNA levels were upregulated during proliferative phase (Days 6-12) of rat gestation. Igfbp3 gene expression also was elevated in proliferating smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and was highest at the time of transition between proliferative and synthetic phases (Days 12-15). Igfbp6 gene expression profile paralleled plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations, peaking during the synthetic phase (Days 17-19) and decreasing thereafter. Administration of P4 at late pregnancy (starting from Day 20) to maintain elevated plasma P4 concentrations blocked the onset of labor and prevented the fall in Igfbp6 mRNA levels. In contrast, the treatment of pregnant rats with the P4 receptor antagonist RU486 on Day 19 induced preterm labor and the premature decrease of Igfbp6 gene expression. Igfbp2 gene expression was transiently upregulated during the contractile phase of gestation (Days 21-23) solely in the gravid horn of unilaterally pregnant rats, but it was not affected in P4- or RU486-treated animals, supporting a role for mechanical stretch imposed by the growing fetuses. Igfbp5 gene was induced during postpartum involution. Our results suggest the importance of the IGF system in phenotypic and functional changes of myometrial SMCs throughout gestation in preparation for labor.

Transcriptional profiling of the developing rat brain reveals that the most dramatic regional differentiation in gene expression occurs postpartum

Neural development involves the expression of ensembles of regulatory genes that control the coordinate and region-specific expression of a host of other genes, resulting in the unique structure, connectivity, and function of each brain region. Although the role of some specific genes in neural development has been studied in detail, we have no global view of the orchestration of spatial and temporal aspects of gene expression across multiple regions of the developing brain. To this end, we used transcriptional profiling to examine expression levels of 9955 genes in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and frontal cortex across seven stages of postnatal development and up to four stages of prenatal development in individual male rats (six per group). The results reveal dramatic changes across development in >97% of the neurally expressed genes. They also uncover a surprising degree of regional differentiation occurring after birth and through the first 2 weeks of life. Cluster analysis identifies 20 clusters of transcripts enriched in genes related to particular functions, such as DNA metabolism, nuclear function, synaptic vesicle transport, myelination, and neuropeptide hormone activity. Thus, groups of genes with related functions change in the brain at specific times, possibly marking critical periods for each function. These findings can broadly serve as a backdrop for studying the role of individual genes in neural development. They also underscore the importance of early postnatal life in the rat, which corresponds to late gestation in the human, as a critical late phase of neural organization and differentiation, even in subcortical regions.

Increased plasma mRNAs of placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) and glial cells-missing 1 (GCM1) in mothers with pre-eclampsia

In this study we have investigated whether quantitative analysis of placental mRNAs in maternal plasma provides a way to monitor placental status. We measured plasma concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit (betahCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL) mRNAs as previously reported mRNAs and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) and glial cells-missing 1 (GCM1) mRNAs, which have not been measured during the course of normal pregnancy. Firstly, peripheral blood was obtained at various times from healthy pregnant women to clarify the time course of placental mRNAs. Secondly, blood was obtained from women with pre-eclampsia and gestational age-matched controls to examine whether placental mRNAs change in pre-eclampsia. Plasma was separated from these samples for extraction of RNA, followed by reverse transcription polymerse chain reaction analysis. Median concentrations of PLAC1 and GCM1 mRNA in plasma of pre-eclamptic subjects respectively were 1625 and 2141 copies/ml, significantly higher than 195 and 881 copies/ml, the values for controls (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.001). No significant difference was seen in hPL, betahCG, or PAPP-A mRNA concentration between pre-eclamptic and control groups. Plasma PLAC1 and GCM1 mRNAs appear promising as noninvasively measurable molecular markers for pre-eclampsia.

[Possible correlation of polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene with psychological aspects of birth stress]

The paper presents results of a pilot study of genetic correlates of adaptive strategies characteristic for religious and (or) spiritual people in stress, induced by unusual and (or) extreme conditions. Birth stress, experienced by 79 young normal female urban dwellers Ss in the course of late pregnancy, giving birth, and the immediately following period post partum, was chosen as model of stress in general. Their state, as well as the state of the child, was monitored in each case by professional physicians, and assessed according to standard obstetric procedures. 3 kinds of standard psychological tests, providing assessment of neurotization, creativity, and the scope of religious/spiritual sensations, were conducted. The latter formed focal point of our research. As in has recently been supposed, religious/spiritual people tend to be more adaptive in illness and stress, which is quite important for clinical practice. The first aim of our study was to test whether religious/spiritual sensations in stress tend to occur as part of general neurotization; or, as part of creative response in the service of the ego; or, finally, they form a specific dimension of adaptive strategies. In home to simultaneously assess possible genetic determination of each of these options, we have introduced intro our study a module of assessment of genetic I/D polymorphisms of ACE gene, primarily linked to the status of the renin-angiotensin system. As a result of factor analysis, existence of 3 strong trends was demonstrated. 1. Neurotization, creativity, religious/spiritual processes tend to form 3 independent aspects of response of normal humans to birth stress. 2. Frequency of occurrence of D-allele tends to reveal strong correlation with only one of these 3 options, which is the generall level of neurotization. The latter conclusion corresponds well to what is currently known about the role of renin-angiotensin system primarily in regulation of cardiovascular system, and probably adaptation to stress. 3. Frequency of occurrence of D-allele in the mother tends to reveal inverse correlation with the Apgar index of the child (assessment of its physiological state in the course of the first several minutes after birth, based upon such characteristics as heart beat rate, ability to independent breathing, state of the skin, etc.), and is not linked to usual standard biometric parameters of newborn children. Continuing to work on this model, we intend to formally assess possible impact of heredity via other genes upon psychological, especially religious and spiritual aspects of adaptation to stress of women in birth; and also approach to possible genetic correlates of the state of newborn children.

Association of tryptophan hydroxylase gene polymorphism with depression, anxiety and comorbid depression and anxiety in a population-based sample of postpartum Taiwanese women

Depression and anxiety disorders often coexist clinically and both are known to have a genetic basis, but the mode of inheritance is too complicated to be determined so far. Serotonin is the biogenic amine neurotransmitter most commonly associated with depression and anxiety. Since tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis, its role in the pathophysiology of these psychiatric diseases has been intensively studied. In this study, we examined whether polymorphism of the TPH1 gene is related to the etiology of major depression, anxiety and comorbid depression and anxiety. Five single nucleoside polymorphisms of the TPH1 gene were studied in a population-based sample of postpartum Taiwanese women consisting of 120 subjects with depression or/and anxiety and 86 matched normal controls. A significant difference (P = 0.0107) in genotype frequency for the T27224C polymorphism was found between the comorbid and normal groups, and risk analysis showed that the C allele conferred a strong protective effect (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confident interval = 0.11-0.7). Three-allele haplotypes involving T27224C polymorphism were constructed and haplotype associations between particular haplotype combinations and various diseases identified. However, the associations were weak and the overall haplotype frequency profiles in all groups were similar. The results suggest that depression, anxiety, and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders may have related etiologies. In addition, this study suggests that the TPH1 gene might play a role in the pathogenesis of these closely related disorders.

Identifying genetic networks underlying myometrial transition to labor

BACKGROUND

Early transition to labor remains a major cause of infant mortality, yet the causes are largely unknown. Although several marker genes have been identified, little is known about the underlying global gene expression patterns and pathways that orchestrate these striking changes.

RESULTS

We performed a detailed time-course study of over 9,000 genes in mouse myometrium at defined physiological states: non-pregnant, mid-gestation, late gestation, and postpartum. This dataset allowed us to identify distinct patterns of gene expression that correspond to phases of myometrial 'quiescence', 'term activation', and 'postpartum involution'. Using recently developed functional mapping tools (HOPACH (hierarchical ordered partitioning and collapsing hybrid) and GenMAPP 2.0), we have identified new potential transcriptional regulatory gene networks mediating the transition from quiescence to term activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results implicate the myometrium as an essential regulator of endocrine hormone (cortisol and progesterone synthesis) and signaling pathways (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP stimulation) that direct quiescence via the transcriptional upregulation of both novel and previously associated regulators. With term activation, we observe the upregulation of cytoskeletal remodeling mediators (intermediate filaments), cell junctions, transcriptional regulators, and the coordinate downregulation of negative control checkpoints of smooth muscle contractile signaling. This analysis provides new evidence of multiple parallel mechanisms of uterine contractile regulation and presents new putative targets for regulating myometrial transformation and contraction.

The expression of estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone receptors in mammary gland and liver of female rats during pregnancy and early postpartum: regulation by thyroid hormones

The aim of this study was to examine, using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) the changes in mRNA expression of the two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, prolactin receptor long and short form, and progesterone (Pg) receptor (PgR), in liver and mammary gland during gestation, early lactation, and weaning in both hyperthyroid (HT) and normal rats. Pregnancy increased long prolactin receptors (PRL-R(L)) and ERalpha mRNAs in liver and PRL-R(I) in mammary gland. Lactation decreased PRL-R(L) in liver and ERbeta and PgR in mammary gland. HT decreased PRL-R(L), at the end of pregnancy (G21), ERalpha (in G21 and L1) in liver and PRL-R(L) in L1 as well as short prolactin receptors (PRL-R(S)) (G7, L1) and ERbeta (G7, G14, L4) in mammary gland. In conclusion, our data indicated that (1) PRL-R1 and ERalpha expression levels are differentially regulated in the liver, and PgR and ERbeta in mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation (2) ERbeta is variably expressed depending on the state of thyroid hormones, however the ERalpha gene expression remained constant in mammary gland. (3) PRL-R1 mRNA expression is highly induced in the mammary gland during late pregnancy and abruptly declines on the first day of lactation for the HT rats.

Initial stages of mammary tumor virus infection are superantigen independent

Exogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is transmitted via the milk from infected mothers to newborn pups. Efficient MMTV transmission is dependent on proliferation of T cells with particular TCR beta-chains, which occurs upon recognition of virally encoded superantigen (SAg) bound to MHC class II molecules. It is assumed that infection of these dividing cells favors MMTV amplification. SAg is important for MMTV infection, as mice that lack SAg-cognate T cells due to expression of endogenous Mtv loci or mice that express inappropriate MHC haplotypes unable to present viral SAg efficiently were shown to be resistant to MMTV infection. However, this resistance was not absolute, as these mice developed late onset MMTV-induced mammary tumors. In this study, we show that the success of initial MMTV infection in neonates is independent of SAg function but depends on the developmentally regulated proliferation of target cells. However, SAg was absolutely required for virus spread following completion of this proliferative stage.

Variable expression of oviductin mRNA at different stages of human reproductive cycle

PURPOSE

To examine the in vivo expression of oviductin mRNA at different stages of the human female reproductive cycle including pregnancy and after menopause.

METHODS

Oviducts were obtained from 25 women in normal menstrual cycle, 5 in early pregnancy, 5 undergoing postpartum sterilization, and 4 menopausal women. The oviductal mucosal tissue was isolated and oviductin mRNA was assessed using reverse-transriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); its correlation with various hormones was assessed.

RESULTS

Oviductin mRNA was detected throughout the menstrual cycle, highest in the periovulatory period. It continued to be expressed in early pregnancy but was absent in the postpartum period and after menopause.

CONCLUSIONS

The production and function of oviductin at different stages of human reproductive cycle including pregnancy is not well known. Its highest expression at the time of ovulation is consistent with a supportive role in fertilization and early embryo development.

Endothelin-1 in smooth muscle cells and mast cells of mouse uterus after parturition

To elucidate the physiological importance of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in mouse uterus, we investigated quantitative changes in ET-1 mRNA levels in the uterus during the estrous cycle, pregnancy and post-parturient period by use of the real-time PCR technique and we examined the cellular distribution of the ET-1 peptide by use of immunohistochemical techniques. Low and constant mRNA levels were observed in the uterus from cyclic or pregnant mice. However, a significant increase in mRNA levels was found immediately after parturition (day 0 postpartum) which then decreased gradually to a basal level at day 14 postpartum. Discernible immunopositivity was found in myometrial cells as well as in endometrial epithelial cells in the post-parturient uterus. Myometrial cells showed the strongest staining at day 0 postpartum, and some large cells in the myometrial layers, intensely positive for ET-1, were characterized as mast cells. These findings suggest the possibility that in mouse uterus ET-1 may play a role in recovery from the uterine changes caused by pregnancy and parturition.

Apoptosis-associated gene expression in the corpus luteum of the rat

The involution of the corpus luteum (CL) at parturition is an example of physiological apoptosis, a complex process involving massive vascular regression while luteal cells undergo apoptosis. In the present study, changes in gene expression associated with physiological apoptosis were examined. Three genes isolated in our laboratory because of their association with apoptotic processes in the ovary, mammary gland, and prostate served as the focus of our investigation: Y81, Gas-1, and the gene IAP encoding integrin-associated protein. Y81 is a novel gene for which three transcripts are apparent. A Y81 cDNA clone representing the longest transcript has been isolated; it shows an open reading frame exhibiting a region of very high homology with members of the frizzled family, the prototypes of which are cell autonomous polarity genes encoding seven-pass transmembrane receptor proteins, for example the receptor for Wingless. Gas-1 is known as a growth-arrest gene that inhibits DNA synthesis when microinjected into cells. Integrin-associated protein is a beta 3-integrin-binding protein for which, recently, a thrombo-spondin-binding activity has been recognized. These three genes, all sharply up-regulated in the course of physiological involution processes in the ovarian CL, in mammary gland, and in prostate, seem promising candidates-by virtue of their specific expression in distinct tissues undergoing programmed cell death-as mediators of stimuli leading to apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis. In this study, sulfated glycoprotein-2, previously observed in many instances of physiological apoptosis, was further employed as an indicator for incipient apoptosis, and stromelysin was followed as a marker for the tissue remodeling activity that is intimately associated with apoptosis during involution.

Estimation of genetic variation in the interval from calving to postpartum ovulation of dairy cows

Data on the interval from calving to the commencement of luteal activity of postpartum dairy cows were obtained for 1737 lactations of 1137 British Friesian cows in 11 commercial herds and 1 experimental herd between 1975 and 1982. The interval from calving to commencement of luteal activity was measured using progesterone concentrations of milk samples that were collected three or more times per week from shortly after calving to approximately 100 DIM of the following gestation. Genetic models were fitted using REML and accounting for known genetic relationships. Estimates of heritability and repeatability were 0.28 and 0.28, respectively, for the untransformed data; 0.21 and 0.26, respectively, for log-transformed data; and 0.13 and 0.26, respectively, after reciprocals were considered. In all cases, the heritability was significantly different from 0, and, of three scales, the log transformation had the greater likelihood. The likelihood of the transformation was closely related to the magnitude of the coefficient of skewness, and the power transformation with maximum likelihood was between 0.35 and 0.30, for which heritability was 0.19. The geometric mean interval was 25.6 d; coefficient of variation was 37%; and herds, years, parity, and season all had significant effects upon the interval to commencement of luteal activity. The postpartum interval grew longer by 2.2% with each parity [confidence interval 95% (1.1%, 3.0%)] and showed seasonal variation. Cows calving during spring took 1.21 times longer to commencement of luteal activity than did cows calving during autumn [95% confidence interval (1.13, 1.29)]. Genetic regression on PTA of the sire for milk, fat, and protein yields and for fat and protein percentages and on a national economic index were carried out using a subset of animals during 721 lactations. The regression was positive for fat percentage, but not significantly different from 0 for others. The magnitude of the heritability estimate in this study indicates that the postpartum interval to commencement of luteal activity may be useful for selecting cattle for improved fertility because shorter intervals have been postulated to be correlated with higher reproductive efficiency.

Switching to low tar cigarettes: are the tar league tables relevant?

Background

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a dynamic disease that may be affected by immune changes in pregnancy. Guidelines suggest consideration of nucleos/tide analogs (NA), i.e., tenofovir, (TDF) in highly viremic mothers to reduce vertical transmission risk. HBV variability affects CHB outcome, but little is known about HBV genetic changes in pregnancy due to immune or NA selection.

Objectives

To evaluate HBV diversity in NA treated or untreated pregnant vs. post-partum CHB carriers.

Study Design

In plasma collected from 21 mothers (7 matching pre/post-partum), HBV serological tests, genotype and viral load were assayed. The HBV pre-surface (S) /S overlapping polymerase (P) (N = 20), pre-core (C) /C (N = 11) and/or full genome PCR amplicons (N = 3) underwent clonal sequence analysis.

Results

The median age was 31 y, 71% Asian, 68% genotype B or C, 33% HBV eAg+, 5 received TDF (median HBV DNA 8.5 log IU/ml). In untreated mothers, median antepartum vs. post-partum ALT was 21 vs. 24 U/L and HBV DNA was 2.7 vs. 2.4 log(10) IU/ml. ALT and/or HBV DNA flares occurred during pregnant and/or post-partum period in 47% (10/21). Clonal sequencing antepartum showed the presence of minor “a determinant” and/or vaccine escape mutants (VEM) but drug resistant variants were infrequent. Analysis of pregnant vs. post-partum samples showed different HBV variants and viral diversity.

Conclusions

Differences in immune and/or by NA selective pressures during pregnancy may affect HBV evolution during pregnancy. The presence of minor VEM warrant infant follow-up.