title: Luteal function during the estrous cycle in arginine-treated ewes fed different planes of nutrition.
abstract: Functions of corpus luteum (CL) are influenced by numerous factors including hormones, growth and angiogenic factors, nutritional plane and dietary supplements such as arginine (Arg), a semi-essential amino acid and precursor for proteins, polyamines and nitric oxide (NO). The aim of this study was to determine if Arg supplementation to ewes fed different planes of nutrition influences: (1) progesterone (P4) concentrations in serum and luteal tissue, (2) luteal vascularity, cell proliferation, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and receptor (R) soluble guanylate cyclase β protein and mRNA expression and (3) luteal mRNA expression for selected angiogenic factors during the estrous cycle. Ewes (n = 111) were categorized by weight and randomly assigned to one of three nutritional planes: maintenance control (C), overfed (2× C) and underfed (0.6× C) beginning 60 days prior to onset of estrus. After estrus synchronization, ewes from each nutritional plane were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: Arg or saline. Serum and CL were collected at the early, mid and late luteal phases. The results demonstrated that: (1) nutritional plane affected ovulation rates, luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and NOS3, GUCY1B3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGFR2 mRNA expression, (2) Arg affected luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and NOS3, GUCY1B3, VEGF and VEGFR2 mRNA expression and (3) luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and the VEGF and NO systems depend on the stage of the estrous cycle. These data indicate that plane of nutrition and/or Arg supplementation can alter vascularization and expression of selected angiogenic factors in luteal tissue during the estrous cycle in sheep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal SciencesNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: Casie S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal SciencesNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Redmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal SciencesNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: Samantha L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kaminski
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal SciencesNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA Anna.Grazul-Bilska@ndsu.edu.
authors.forename: Anna T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Grazul-Bilska
mesh_terms: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004973:Estrus Synchronization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D011374:Progesterone; D001120:Arginine