Prolonged Effect of Seminal Plasma on Global Gene Expression in Porcine Endometrium.

Marek Bogacki,Monika M Kaczmarek,Anna Wieckowska,Beenu Moza Jalali

doi:10.3390/genes11111302

Marek Bogacki, Monika M Kaczmarek + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11111302

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Abstract

Seminal plasma (SP) deposited in the porcine uterine tract at the time of mating is known to elicit an initial response that is beneficial for pregnancy outcome. However, whether SP has any long-term effect on alterations in endometrial molecular and cellular processes is not known. In this study, using microarray analyses, differential changes in endometrial transcriptome were evaluated after Day 6 of SP-infusion (6DPI) or Day 6 of pregnancy as compared to corresponding day of estrous cycle. Both, pregnancy and SP induced significant changes in the endometrial transcriptome and most of these changes were specific for a particular group. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that inhibition in immune response was affected by both pregnancy and SP infusion. Long-term effects of SP included differential expression of genes involved in inhibition of apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen species and steroid biosynthesis, and activation of processes such as proliferation of connective tissue cells and microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ was identified to be responsible for regulating expression of many DEGs identified on 6DPI. The present study provides evidence for the long-term effects of SP on porcine endometrium that can be beneficial for pregnancy success.

Highlights

IntroductionUnderstanding of the molecular embryo-maternal cross-talk is crucial for solving infertility problems, reducing pregnancy loss and identifying hormonal, paracrine, and autocrine factors regulating the developmental potential of the offspring
The high rate of pregnancy failure in human and livestock has been attributed mainly to the unsynchronized development of the embryos with the proper preparation of the female reproductive tract and the impaired communication between the developing embryos and uterus [1,2,3].Understanding of the molecular embryo-maternal cross-talk is crucial for solving infertility problems, reducing pregnancy loss and identifying hormonal, paracrine, and autocrine factors regulating the developmental potential of the offspring
Nowadays, pregnancy in pigs is a result of artificial insemination (AI) with diluted semen or the result of embryo transfer techniques during which only the residual Seminal plasma (SP) enters the reproductive tract, there is documented evidence that SP affects the biological functions of the uterus and evidence that interaction between male SP and female tissues promotes fertility, pregnancy, and health of offspring [23]

Summary

Introduction

Understanding of the molecular embryo-maternal cross-talk is crucial for solving infertility problems, reducing pregnancy loss and identifying hormonal, paracrine, and autocrine factors regulating the developmental potential of the offspring. Effective recognition of the embryo in the maternal tract is crucial for the preparation of an appropriate environment in the uterus for the embryo’s development, implantation, and final establishment of pregnancy [4]. Exactly when the oviduct and uterus recognize the presence of embryos and how the maternal pathway changes its environment in response to embryos is not fully understood. Identified alterations in uterine transcriptome lead to morphological, biochemical and immunological changes and are reflection of action of para- and autocrine signals released by maternal tract as well as developing embryos

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