Prostaglandin pathways in equine myometrium regulations: endometrosis progression.

Introduction: Prostaglandins (PG) are important regulators of the myometrial contractility in mammals. Endometrosis, a condition characterized by morphological changes in the equine endometrium, also affects endometrial secretory function. However, it remains unclear whether and how endometrosis affects myometrial function.

The effect of lysophosphatidic acid on myometrial contractility and the mRNA transcription of its receptors in the myometrium at different stages of endometrosis in mares.

Background: Endometrosis (chronic degenerative endometritis) results in morphological changes in the equine endometrium and impairs its secretory function. However, the effect of this condition on the myometrium remains unclear. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) may affect female reproductive function and embryo transport by influencing uterine contractility through its receptors (LPARs).

Morphological description and DNA barcoding of Ceratophysella gracilimucronata sp. nov. (Collembola: Hypogastruridae) from China, with a key to species of the C. armata group of the Sino-Japanese Region.

A new species, Ceratophysella gracilimucronata sp. nov. from Nan Ling Mountains (Guangdong Province, China), is described.

The alteration in myometrial mRNA transcription of the regulatory genes of DNA methylation in mare with endometrosis.

A reduction in myometrial contractile activity can lead to inadequate cleaning of the uterine lumen, resulting in persistent endometritis and potentially endometrosis in mares. Oxytocin (OXT) is a key hormonal regulator of myometrial contraction. While epigenetic regulation of myometrial gene expression has been studied in humans, there is limited information on the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and ten-eleven translocation enzymes (TETs) in the myometrium of mares.

The path to fertility: Current approaches to mare endometritis and endometrosis.

The path to fertility in the mare requires an understanding of the hormonal influences, the immune response, genetics, and epigenetic mechanisms involved not only in physiological reproductive processes, but also such pathologies as endometritis and endometrosis. Endometritis may lead to endometrosis establishment. In the presence of endometritis, neutrophils arrive at the mare endometrium, and form neutrophil extracellular traps.

New Approach to the Cryopreservation of GV Oocytes and Cumulus Cells through the Lens of Preserving the Intercellular Gap Junctions Based on the Bovine Model.

Differences in structural and functional properties between oocytes and cumulus cells (CCs) may cause low vitrification efficiency for cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). We have suggested that the disconnection of CCs and oocytes in order to further cryopreservation in various ways will positively affect the viability after thawing, while further co-culture in vitro will contribute to the restoration of lost intercellular gap junctions. This study aimed to determine the optimal method of cryopreservation of the suspension of CCs to mature GV oocytes in vitro and to determine the level of mRNA expression of the genes (, ; , ) and gene-specific epigenetic marks () after cryopreservation and in vitro maturation (IVM) in various culture systems.

Bioinformatic analysis of endometrial miRNA expression profile at day 26-28 of pregnancy in the mare.

The establishment of the fetomaternal interface depends on precisely regulated communication between the conceptus and the uterine environment. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in embryo-maternal dialogue. This study aimed to determine the expression profile of endometrial miRNAs during days 26-28 of equine pregnancy.

Intrauterine devices influence prostaglandin secretion by equine uterus: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUD) are used in the veterinary practice as the non-pharmacological method of oestrus suppression in mares. When placed in the uterus, IUD create a physical contact with the endometrium that mimics the presence of an equine embryo. However, the mechanism of their action has not been fully elucidated.

Progesterone-independent endometrial mRNA expression in dairy cows with clinical or subclinical endometritis.

Up to 50 % of dairy cows fail to resolve uterine involution and develop chronic clinical (CE) or subclinical endometritis (SE) 21 days after calving. Clinical endometritis is associated with purulent discharge, while SE is not associated with overt clinical signs. Along with numerous knowledge gaps related to its pathogenesis, SE does not allow for a straightforward and effective therapy.

The potential role of miRNAs and regulation of their expression in the development of mare endometrial fibrosis.

Mare endometrial fibrosis (endometrosis), is one of the main causes of equine infertility. Despite the high prevalence, both ethology, pathogenesis and the nature of its progression remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators in multiple cellular processes and functions under physiological and pathological circumstances.

New species of Neanuridae (Collembola) living on the endemic tree Zelkova abelicea in Crete.

Six new species from Crete belonging to the family Neanuridae are described and illustrated in detail. Friesea schulzi sp. nov.

5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC, Decitabine) Inhibits Collagen Type I and III Expression in TGF-β1-Treated Equine Endometrial Fibroblasts.

Endometrosis negatively affects endometrial function and fertility in mares, due to excessive deposition of type I (COL1) and type III (COL3) collagens. The pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) induces myofibroblast differentiation, characterized by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and collagen synthesis. In humans, fibrosis has been linked to epigenetic mechanisms.

Apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and necroptosis: different types of programmed cell death in bovine corpus luteum regression.

In mammals, the corpus luteum (CL) is a transient organ that secretes progesterone (P4). In the absence of pregnancy, the CL undergoes regression (luteolysis), which is a crucial preparation step for the next estrous cycle. Luteolysis, initiated by uterine prostaglandin F (PGF) in cattle, is usually divided into two phases, namely functional luteolysis characterized by a decline in P4 concentration and structural luteolysis characterized by the elimination of luteal tissues from the ovary.

Assessment of stem cell factor expression and its c-KIT receptor in patients with vitiligo.

Introduction: Melanocytes show antigen expressions characteristic for the immune response effector cells, and the immune reactions in the skin, especially those with inflammation background, significantly affect the function of melanocytes. Among the cytokines produced by keratinocytes, the stem cell factor (SCF) plays a leading role in stimulating melanogenesis.

Aim: To compare the expression level of stem cell factor (mSCF, pSCF) and the c-Kit receptor in the centre of the vitiligo patch and in the area of healthy skin adjacent to the vitiligo patch.

Metallopeptidades 2 and 9 genes epigenetically modulate equine endometrial fibrosis.

Endometrium type I (COL1) and III (COL3) collagen accumulation, periglandular fibrosis and mare infertility characterize endometrosis. Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) are involved in collagen turnover. Since epigenetic changes may control fibroproliferative diseases, we hypothesized that epigenetic mechanisms could modulate equine endometrosis.

Collagen Type III as a Possible Blood Biomarker of Fibrosis in Equine Endometrium.

Collagen pathological deposition in equine endometrium (endometrosis) is responsible for infertility. Kenney and Doig's endometrial biopsy histopathological classification is the gold standard method for endometrosis evaluation, whereby blood biomarkers identification would be less invasive and could provide additional information regarding endometrosis diagnosis and fertility prognosis. This study aimed to identify blood biomarkers for endometrosis diagnosis (42 mares were used in experiment 1), and fertility assessment (50 mares were used in experiment 2).

The Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in PGF-Induced Luteolysis in the Bovine Corpus Luteum.

The participation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in ovarian function in cattle is still not fully understood. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine: (i) the immunolocalization, mRNA expression and tissue concentration of PPARα, PPARδ and PPARγ in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) ( = 40) throughout the estrous cycle, and (ii) the involvement of PPAR in PGF-induced processes related to luteolysis. CL ( = 9) explants were cultured in the presence of PPAR antagonists (10 M) in combination with or without PGF receptor antagonist (10 M) and PGF (10 M).

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression in the canine endometrium with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex.

The most common uterine diseases in bitches occurring during diestrus are cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra. These diseases can coexist as CEH-pyometra complex (CEH-P). Their pathogenesis has not been fully explained.

The Effects of Prostaglandin E Treatment on the Secretory Function of Mare Corpus Luteum Depends on the Site of Application: An Study.

We examined the effect of prostaglandin (PG) E on the secretory function of equine corpus luteum (CL), according to the application site: intra-CL injection vs. an intrauterine (intra-U) administration. Moreover, the effect of intra-CL injection vs.

Comparison of Intra-CL Injection and Peripheral Application of Prostaglandin F Analog on Luteal Blood Flow and Secretory Function of the Bovine Corpus Luteum.

We investigated the effects of different doses of dinoprost injected directly into the bovine corpus luteum (CL) on (i) concentrations of progesterone (P) and oxytocin (OT) in peripheral blood and (ii) mRNA levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (P450scc), hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 β- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 (HSD3B), and receptor-interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 (RIPK1, RIPK3) in CL tissue. Moreover, we examined the effects of dinoprost, injected intra-CL or administered intramuscularly (IM), on CL secretory function and on indicators of CL vascular network status: luteal tissue area (LTA), CL blood flow (CLBF), and the CLBF:LTA ratio (Adj. CLBF), in cows at the early and mid-luteal phases.

Changes in Porcine Corpus Luteum Proteome Associated with Development, Maintenance, Regression, and Rescue during Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy.

Corpus luteum (CL), a transitory gland, undergoes rapid growth in a limited time to produce progesterone (P4) followed by its regression. A complex molecular signaling is involved in controlling luteal P4 production. In the present study, 2D gel electrophoresis-based proteomics and in silico functional analysis were used to identify changes in key proteins and pathways in CL along the different stages of the estrous cycle as its development progresses from early (Day 3) to mid-luteal phase (Day 9), effective functioning (Day 12) followed by regression (Day 15) or, in the case of pregnancy, rescue of function (Day 15).

The Inhibitory Effect of Noscapine on the In Vitro Cathepsin G-Induced Collagen Expression in Equine Endometrium.

Cathepsin G (CAT) is a protease released by neutrophils when forming neutrophil extracellular traps that was already associated with inducing type I collagen (COL1) in equine endometrium in vitro. Endometrosis is a fibrotic condition mainly characterized by COL1 deposition in the equine endometrium. The objective was to evaluate if noscapine (an alkaloid for cough treatment with anti-neoplastic and anti-fibrotic properties) would reduce transcription (evaluated by qPCR) and COL1 protein relative abundance (evaluated by western blot) induced by CAT in equine endometrial explants from follicular and mid-luteal phases treated for 24 or 48 h.