title: Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin Modulates the Expression of Genes Related to the Structure and Function of the Bovine Corpus Luteum.
abstract: We hypothesized that stimulatory and superovulatory treatments, using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), modulate the expression of genes related to insulin, cellular modelling and angiogenesis signaling pathways in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). Therefore, we investigated: 1-the effect of these treatments on circulating insulin and somatomedin C concentrations and on gene and protein expression of INSR, IGF1 and IGFR1, as well as other insulin signaling molecules; 2-the effects of eCG on gene and protein expression of INSR, IGF1, GLUT4 and NFKB1A in bovine luteal cells; and 3-the effect of stimulatory and superovulatory treatments on gene and protein expression of ANG, ANGPT1, NOS2, ADM, PRSS2, MMP9 and PLAU. Serum insulin did not differ among groups (P = 0.96). However, serum somatomedin C levels were higher in both stimulated and superovulated groups compared to the control (P = 0.01). In stimulated cows, lower expression of INSR mRNA and higher expression of NFKB1A mRNA and IGF1 protein were observed. In superovulated cows, lower INSR mRNA expression, but higher INSR protein expression and higher IGF1, IGFR1 and NFKB1A gene and protein expression were observed. Expression of angiogenesis and cellular modelling pathway-related factors were as follows: ANGPT1 and PLAU protein expression were higher and MMP9 gene and protein expression were lower in stimulated animals. In superovulated cows, ANGPT1 mRNA expression was higher and ANG mRNA expression was lower. PRSS2 gene and protein expression were lower in both stimulated and superovulated animals related to the control. In vitro, eCG stimulated luteal cells P4 production as well as INSR and GLUT4 protein expression. In summary, our results suggest that superovulatory treatment induced ovarian proliferative changes accompanied by increased expression of genes providing the CL more energy substrate, whereas stimulatory treatment increased lipogenic activity, angiogenesis and plasticity of the extracellular matrix (ECM).
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liza Margareth Medeiros de Carvalho
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9731-1846
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Pacheco
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danila Barreiro
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pietro Sampaio
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Baruselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula de Carvalho
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Papa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D007328:Insulin; D011374:Progesterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I