title: Progesterone receptor-dependent regulation of genes in the oviducts of female mice.
abstract: Oviducts play a critical role in gamete and embryo transport, as well as supporting early embryo development. Progesterone receptor (PGR) is a transcription factor highly expressed in oviductal cells, while its activating ligand, progesterone, surges to peak levels as ovulation approaches. Progesterone is known to regulate oviduct cilia beating and muscular contractions in vitro, but how PGR may mediate this in vivo is poorly understood. We used PGR null mice to identify genes potentially regulated by PGR in the oviducts during the periovulatory period. Histologically, oviducts from PGR null mice showed no gross structural or morphological defects compared with normal littermates. However, microarray analysis of oviducts at 8 h posthuman chorionic gonadotropin revealed >1,000 PGR-dependent genes. Using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we selected 10 genes for validation based on their potential roles in oocyte/embryo transport and support. Eight genes were confirmed to be downregulated (Adamts1, Itga8, Edn3, Prlr, Ptgfr, Des, Myocd, and Actg2) and one upregulated (Agtr2) in PGR null oviducts. Expression of these genes was also assessed in oviducts of naturally cycling mice during ovulation and day 1 and day 4 of pregnancy. Adamts1, Itga8, Edn3, Prlr, and Ptgfr were significantly upregulated in oviducts at ovulation/mating. However, most genes showed basal levels of expression at other times. The exceptions were Prlr and Ptgfr, which showed pulsatile increases on day 1 and/or day 4 of pregnancy. This is the first, comprehensive study to elucidate putative PGR-regulated genes in the oviduct and reveals key downstream targets potentially mediating oocyte and embryo transport.
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Akison
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boden
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kennaway
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Darryl L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia rebecca.robker@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Robker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057507:Mice, 129 Strain; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010057:Oviducts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone
keywords: P4; PRKO; PRlacZ; embryo transport; fallopian tube; ovulation