PPAR expression throughout the oestrous cycle in the bovine endometrium

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of nuclear receptors that is composed of three isoforms: PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ. The ratio of two isoforms of PPARγ (1 and 2) varies among both species and tissues. The activity of PPARs can be modified by a number of endogenous compounds, including arachidonic acid (AA), its eicosanoid metabolites and synthetic ligands. Many studies have revealed that PPARs are important in reproduction. We hypothesized that the profiles of PPARs expression vary in the bovine endometrium during certain days of the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to determine the immunolocalization, mRNA expression and protein expression of PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ in the bovine endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle. Endometrial tissues were obtained post mortem from heifers on days 0 (oestrus phase, n = 6), 2–5 (early luteal phase, n = 6), 8–12 (mid-luteal phase, n = 6), 15–17 (late luteal phase, n = 6) and 19–21 (follicular phase, n = 6) of the oestrous cycle. PPARs immunolocalization was determined in the endometrium using immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results were statistically analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni test. Immunolocalization revealed the protein expression of PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ in bovine endometrial structures throughout the oestrous cycle. PPARγ1 mRNA and protein expression fluctuated in the tissue depending on the studied days of the oestrous cycle, whereas the transcript and protein levels of PPARα and PPARβ/δ did not display significant differences during the oestrous cycle. We observed the highest PPARγ1 mRNA expression at the oestrus phase and the lowest expression at the mid-luteal phase. During the late luteal and follicular phases, the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ1 were detectable at similar levels compared to the early luteal and mid-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. The overall results indicate the presence of PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ in endometrial tissues, but the mRNA and protein expression of only PPARγ1 changed throughout the oestrous cycle, especially during the oestrus and mid-luteal phases. Our findings suggest an association between the expression of PPARs in the bovine endometrium and stage of the oestrous cycle that may be a consequence of changes in ovarian steroids.