Interferon-tau upregulates prolactin receptor mRNA in the ovine endometrium during the peri-implantation period.

Our objective was to determine the effect of ovine interferon-tau (IFN-tau) on prolactin receptor (PRL-R) gene expression in the ovine endometrium. IFN-tau is an embryonic cytokine which, via its paracrine anti-luteolytic activity, plays a critical role in maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants. Using ribonuclease protection assay procedures, we compared endometrial PRL-R mRNA levels in ewes that were intrauterine injected with either 2 mg bovine serum albumin or 2 mg recombinant ovine IFN-tau on day 10 of the oestrous cycle (day 0 = day of oestrus).

[Trophoblastic interferons and embryonal immune tolerance].

Current evidence support the hypothesis that trophoblast interferons play a key role in preventing maternal immunologal rejection of the embryonic semi-allograft. The information of this review is divided in two sections. In the first section we described molecular and biological characteristics of type I (alpha, beta, omega, tau and spl) and type II (gamma) interferons.

[Cytokines and the corpus luteum].

This minireview present main findings concerning the contribution of cytokines to the regulation of some key processes of luteal functions. Data concerning the preovulatory follicles invasion by white blood cells and the migration of macrophages, granulocytes and T lymphocytes into corpus luteum suggest that local secretion of regulatory cytokines may be involved in regulating corpus luteum formation and demise as well its maintenance in early pregnancy. Several lines of evidence indicate that the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha modulate the steroidogenic changes which take place during luteinization.

Potential role for arachidonic acid and eicosanoids in modulating progesterone secretion by ovine chorionic cells.

The present study was conducted to investigate whether arachidonic acid and its metabolites can modulate progesterone (P4) secretion in ovine chorionic cells. At concentrations of 7.5 mumol/l and 12.

20-alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from pseudopregnant rat ovary: obtention and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against the enzyme activity.

The enzyme 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20-alpha-HSD) was purified from pseudopregnant rat ovaries and used as antigen for the development of a monoclonal antibody by the hybridoma technique. Spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with purified 20-alpha-HSD were fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells. Among the colonies of hybrid cells, one (designated mAb-HSD 11) was found to be secreting antibodies (IgM) able to inhibit 20-alpha-HSD activity.