Abstract
Mating initiates dynamic modifications of gene transcription in the female reproductive tract, preparing the female for fertilization and pregnancy. Glucocorticoid signaling is essential for the homeostasis of mammalian physiological functions. This complex glucocorticoid regulation is mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor, also known as nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1/GR) and related genes, like 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD11Bs) and the FK506-binding immunophilins, FKBP5 and FKBP4. This study tested the transcriptome changes in NR3C1/GR regulation in response to natural mating and/or cervical deposition of the sperm-peak ejaculate fraction collected using the gloved-hand method (semen or only its seminal plasma), in the preovulatory pig reproductive tract (cervix to infundibulum, 24 h after mating/insemination/infusion treatments). Porcine cDNA microarrays revealed 22 NR3C1-related transcripts, and changes in gene expression were triggered by all treatments, with natural mating showing the largest differences, including NR3C1, FKBP5, FKBP4, hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (HSD11B1, HSD11B2), and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5A). Our data suggest that natural mating induces expression changes that might promote a reduction of the cortisol action in the oviductal sperm reservoir. Together with the STAT-mediated downregulation of cytokine immune actions, this reduction may prevent harmful effects by promoting tolerance towards the spermatozoa stored in the oviduct and perhaps elicit spermatozoa activation and detachment after ovulation.
Highlights
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones essential for adaptation to stress, behavior, and reproduction
Gene Ontology of the Genes Related to the Glucocorticoid Receptor NR3C1
Our results show that NR3C1 is upregulated by natural mating in the isthmus and infundibulum, while semen-artificial insemination (AI) only upregulated the gene in the infundibulum, and the seminal plasma (SP)-AI treatment only upregulated the gene in the isthmus
Summary
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones essential for adaptation to stress, behavior, and reproduction. The balance between high and low levels of GCs determines whether their biological activity mediates the correct functions or causes pathology. In this sense, it has long been assumed that GCs act negatively on reproductive function due to their role in chronic stress physiology [2]. While high chronic levels of the hormones in response to stress are pathological and affect fertility, basal levels of GCs are essential for normal reproduction [1].
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