Regulation and Expression of Tagln2 in Early Rabbit Pregnant Uterus

Abstract

Objective To examine the expression and regulation of Tagln2 gene in rabbit uterus during early pregnancy. Methods In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of Tagln2 mRNA in rabbit uterus during early pregnancy and their regulation under pseudopregnancy and hormonal treatment. Results In situ hybridization analysis revealed Tagln2 mRNA expression in a spatiotemporally regulated pattern in early pregnant uterus. Tagln2 mRNA was highly expressed in the uterine epithelium from days 2 to 4. A low expression level was detected in the glandular epithelium near the myometrium on days 5 and 6. On days 7.0 and 7.25, Tagln2 expression was upregulated at implantation sites and mainly expressed in luminal epithelium and blastocyst at the anti-mesometrial and lateral sides. On day 8, Tagln2 expression was mainly detected in fusion area and glandular epithelium at anti-mesometrial sides, and became stronger in trophectoderm and luminal epithelium at mesometrial side. Tagln2 expression was not detected in inter-implantation sites from days 6 to 8 of pregnancy and from days 6 to 8 of peudopregnancy. In the ovariectomized rabbit uteri, Tagln2 expression was upregulated by either estrogen or progesterone. Conclusion Tagln2 was highly expressed in the endometrium at implantation sites and need actived embryo, upregulated by steroid hormones.