Effects of interferon-tau and progesterone on oestrogen-stimulated expression of receptors for oestrogen, progesterone and oxytocin in the endometrium of ovariectomized ewes.
The effects of recombinant ovine interferon-tau (IFN-tau) and progesterone on oestrogen-stimulated expression of endometrial receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and oxytocin (OTR) were determined in ovariectomized ewes. Cyclic ewes (n = 16) were ovariectomized and fitted with uterine catheters on Day 4 of the oestrous cycle (Day O, oestrous) and assigned randomly in 2 x 2-factorial arrangement to receive daily intrauterine injections of either recombinant ovine IFN-tau (roIFN-tau; 2 x 10(7) anti-viral units) or control proteins from Day 11 to Day 15 and 50 mg progesterone from either Day 4 to Day 10 (E-P) or Day 4 to Day 15 (E+P). All ewes received 50 micrograms oestradiol-17 beta on Days 13, 14 and 15 and were hysterectomized on Day 16. In control ewes, endometrial ER mRNA, PR protein and OTR density were greater in E-P- than E+P- treated ewes. In E-P ewes, roIFN-tau decreased oestrogen-stimulated increases in ER and OTR, but not PR expression compared with control ewes. In E+P ewes, endometrial ER mRNA and protein, PR mRNA and protein, and OTR levels were lower in roIFN-tau-treated ewes than control ewes. Immunoreactive ER and PR were absent in the endometrial luminal and superficial glandular epithelium of roIFN-tau compared with control ewes, but were present in the deep glandular epithelium and stroma regardless of steroid or protein treatment. These results indicate that progesterone affects oestrogen-induced increases in endometrial ER, PR and OTR expression in the PR+ deep glandular epithelium and stroma, whereas IFN-tau suppresses oestrogen-induced increases ER, PR and OTR expression in the PR- luminal and superficial glandular epithelium. These combined actions of IFN-tau and progesterone to suppress oestrogen-induced increases in endometrial OTR formation would prevent pulsatile production of luteolytic prostaglandin F2 alpha by the endometrium during early pregnancy.
Spencer
T E
TE
Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2471, USA.
Mirando
M A
MA
Mayes
J S
JS
Watson
G H
GH
Ott
T L
TL
Bazer
F W
FW
D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C020947:interferon tau; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol