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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375598
Research Project: Biophotonics - The Application of Novel Imaging Methodologies to Livestock Production Research

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Oxylipin concentrations in bovine corpora lutea during maternal recognition of pregnancy

Author
item OWEN, MEGAN - Mississippi State University
item NORTHROP, EMMALEE - South Dakota State University
item RICH, JERICA - South Dakota State University
item PERRY, GEORGE - South Dakota State University
item MESSMAN, RILEY - Mississippi State University
item DINH, THU - Mississippi State University
item MCCARTY, KEELEE - Mississippi State University
item YANG, JUN - University Of California
item WAN, DEBIN - University Of California
item LEMLEY, CALEB - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Theriogenology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2019
Publication Date: 10/10/2019
Citation: Owen, M., Northrop, E., Rich, J., Perry, G., Messman, R., Dinh, T., Mccarty, K., Yang, J., Wan, D., Lemley, C. 2019. Oxylipin concentrations in bovine corpora lutea during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Theriogenology. 142:384-389.

Interpretive Summary: Reproductive insufficiencies, resulting in low fertility, are detrimental to all livestock operations because offspring represent the next generation of meat and milk producing animals. Maternal recognition of pregnancy is an important early time point in pregnancy that contributes to embryonic loss. The insufficient profiling of oxylipins during maternal recognition of pregnancy in cattle has created a significant gap in knowledge. This study found significant activity of enzymes that metabolize molecules that contribute to maternal recognition of pregnancy. These molecules represent pro- and anti-inflammatory and embryonic factors that could impact the health, production, and longevity of the corpus luteum, which is needed to maintain pregnancy.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to determine the effects of pregnancy status on oxylipin profiles and eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes and in corpora lutea (CL) or endometrial (caruncle; CAR and intercaruncle; IC) tissues. Angus crossed cattle were synchronized with the CO-Synch protocol and artificially inseminated (AI). Sixteen days after AI, cattle were euthanized, and reproductive tracts collected from 6 non-pregnant and 6 pregnant cows. Oxylipin profiles and concentrations of progesterone (P4) were obtained from CL tissues. The activity of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes were determined using specific luminogenic substrates. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, and the model included pregnancy status. Corpora lutea of pregnant cattle contained greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of 9,10-DiHODE, 15,16-DiHODE, and 9,10-DiHOME. These oxylipins have been observed to increase cellular proliferation and vasodilation. Activity of CYP1A in the CL and UGT in CAR and IC was not different (P > 0.05) between pregnant and non-pregnant cattle. In the CL, activity of UGT was decreased (P < 0.05) in pregnant vs. non-pregnant cattle. The decrease in CL UGT activity during pregnancy indicates alterations in local hormone metabolism, while no differences in CL weight nor amount of P4 in CL were different between pregnant and non-pregnant cattle. Moreover, the increase in specific concentrations of oxylipins in the CL may indicate a novel pathway of steroid and eicosanoid metabolism during maternal recognition of pregnancy.