In the present study, we analysed the molecular mechanism(s) by which melatonin directly affects ovarian function in the mare. In Experiment 1, follicles and corpora lutea (CL) were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and analysed for melatonin (MT(1)) receptor mRNA and protein. In Experiment 2, CL were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium-F12 medium (control medium) supplemented with 50 ng mL(-1) equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG), 1 nM-1 μM melatonin, 1 μM forskolin or 1 μM luzindole. Explants were cultured for 3 h in the presence of these drugs. Conditioned media were analysed for progesterone production; luteal cells were analysed for cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), a steroidogenic enzyme that converts cholesterol into pregnenolone. Both MT(1) receptor mRNA and protein were expressed in follicles and CL. Melatonin inhibited both the eCG- and forskolin-stimulated production of progesterone, as well as the forskolin-stimulated expression of P450scc, in equine luteal cells and the effect was dose-dependent. The inhibitory effect of melatonin was blocked by luzindole, a non-selective melatonin MT(1) and MT(2) receptor antagonist. The data support the presence of functional melatonin receptors in luteal cells and a regulatory role for melatonin in the endocrine function of the equine CL.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD10137 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
January 2025
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
Understanding human endometrial dynamics in the establishment of endometrial receptivity remains a challenge, which limits early diagnosis and treatment of endometrial-factor infertility. Here, we decode the endometrial dynamics of fertile women across the window of implantation and characterize the endometrial deficiency in women with recurrent implantation failure. A computational model capable of both temporal prediction and pattern discovery is used to analyze single-cell transcriptomic data from over 220,000 endometrial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Tissue Res
December 2024
Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
The study aimed to establish a long-term 3D cell culture model using luteinized follicular cells to investigate the functionality and life cycle of the CL in felids. A mixture of cell types from antral follicles was luteinized in vitro and cultured for up to 23 days. The method, initially applied to the domestic cat, was later extended to Persian and Clouded leopards.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Reprod
December 2024
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
The embryonic diapause of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) has caused great difficulties in monitoring pregnancy in this vulnerable species. The secretion of prolactin (PRL) from anterior pituitary glandular lactotropic cells is an important signal for the termination of embryonic dormancy. Currently, the mechanism by which PRL affects embryonic diapause in giant pandas and methods for detecting PRL in this species are poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Steroid Biochem Mol Biol
December 2024
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China. Electronic address:
AMPK plays a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism and is involved in the regulation of luteal steroidogenesis by APN and its analog AdipoRon. To further explore the regulatory mechanism of AMPK in goat luteal steroidogenesis mediated by APN, cyclic and pregnant CL were utilized to assess the localization and expression of AMPK, EZH2, H3K27me3 and H3K27ac by WB and mIHC, and the interaction between AMPK and EZH2 by Co-IP. Then, isolated luteal cells were treated with APN/AdipoRon to evaluate the expression levels of AMPK, EZH2, H3K27me3 and H3K27ac.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Dev Med
December 2024
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Objective: Female mice exhibit progressive progesterone (P4) deficiency, luteal cell degeneration, and premature embryo implantation failure at 5 months old. We attempted to rescue embryo implantation in non-virgin mice (5-6 months old) with exogenous P4 treatment on days 1.5 post-coitum (D1.
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