Artificial Long Estrus Protocols Administered Prior to Progesterone Increase Endometrial Uterocalin Expression in Anestrous Mares

Abstract

Uterocalin (P19) is a lipocalin protein that has binding activity for the provisioning of the embryo with lipids, including those essential for morphogenesis and pattern formation. Therefore, it is thought that P19 plays an important role in supporting the survival of the early embryo. Previous research has shown that the endometrium from acyclic mares expressed more P19 following a simulated long estrus: treatment of 8 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) split over five consecutive days, followed by long-acting progesterone administration (LA-P4) 72 hours later, when compared to a single 2.5 mg EB treatment. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if a new long estrus protocol, with fewer EB administrations, also increases endometrial uterocalin expression. Fifteen mares were assigned to three groups: long estrus 5 administrations (LE5; a total of 8 mg of EB in increasing doses was given over five consecutive days, Day −7 to Day −3); long estrus 2 administrations (LE2; 3 and 5 mg EB were given on Day −7 and Day −4); and short estrus (SE; a single dose of 2.5 mg EB was administered on Day −2). All groups received LA P4 on day 0 (D0). Daily ultrasonography and blood collections were performed to assess uterine edema and estradiol and progesterone plasma concentrations, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were collected on Day 4 to evaluate P19 expression by RT-qPCR. There were no differences in P19 expression between groups LE2 and LE5. However, P19 expression was higher (P < .05) in the LE groups than in the SE group. Both LE protocols produced high uterine edema (score 2–3) for at least 6 days. There was no effect of group (LE2 or LE5) on overall estradiol and progesterone concentrations (P > .1). In conclusion, the two EB administrations protocol is more feasible for preparing acyclic recipient mares at field conditions. However, a positive effect of the LE protocols on embryo survival and viability in anestrous treated mares still needs to be confirmed.