PSIII-9 Supplementation of beta-carotene or fatty acids alters production of prostaglandins in bovine endometrial epithelial cells

Abstract

Abstract Differential prostaglandin secretion from the bovine endometrium can be used as a marker for an embryotropic or embryotoxic uterine environment. Beta-carotene has antioxidant properties and is the precursor for retinol, which has been shown to improve early embryonic development in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, dietary fatty acid supplementation, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to alter prostaglandin production. The objective of this study was to determine prostaglandin production of endometrial cells following treatment with beta-carotene, EPA, or DHA. Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated for 24 hours with serum-free media supplemented with either 10 µM beta-carotene, 10 µM EPA, 10 µM DHA or ethanol (>1% volume/volume) vehicle control. After treatment, concentrations of PGE2 and PGF2a were analyzed in media via commercially available ELISA kits. Concentrations and ratios of prostaglandins were analyzed via ANOVA using the mixed procedure in SAS version 9.4. Beta-carotene treatment decreased PGE2 (P < 0.0001) and PGF2a (P = 0.0003) concentrations in media compared to controls. However, the ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was not different (P = 0.1203) between beta-carotene and controls. DHA treatment decreased PGE2 (P < 0.0001) concentrations in media but did not alter (P = 0.1079) PGF2a concentrations in media compared to controls. The ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was not different (P = 0.6343) between DHA and controls. EPA treatment did not alter (P = 0.1503) PGE2 concentrations in media compared to controls. Conversely, PGF2a concentrations were decreased (P = 0.0088) in media treated with EPA compared to controls. Therefore, the ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was increased (P = 0.0116) between EPA versus controls. These studies demonstrate that in vitro supplementation of EPA may alter the endometrial synthesis of prostaglandins to be more embryotropic. Therefore, EPA may be therapeutic for in vivo trials to influence the early uterine environment.