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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386874
Research Project: Improving Livestock Production by Developing Reproductive and Precision Management Technologies

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Influence of conceptus presence and preovulatory estradiol exposure on uterine gene transcripts and proteins around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle

Author
item NORTHROP-ALBRECHT, EMMALEE - South Dakota State University
item RICH, JERICA - South Dakota State University
item Cushman, Robert - Bob
item YAO, RUNAN - South Dakota State University
item GE, XINJIN - South Dakota State University
item PERRY, GEORGE - South Dakota State University

Submitted to: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2021
Publication Date: 1/15/2022
Citation: Northrop-Albrecht, E.J., Rich, J.J., Cushman, R.A., Yao, R., Ge, X., Perry, G.A. 2022. Influence of conceptus presence and preovulatory estradiol exposure on uterine gene transcripts and proteins around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 540. Article 111508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111508.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111508

Interpretive Summary: There is a complex interaction between the embryo and the uterus that is critical to maintain pregnancy in beef cows. There are still knowledge gaps in our understanding of communication between the uterus and embryo and how uterine factors contribute to maintenance of pregnancy and subsequent health and performance of the offspring. Results from the current study support the conclusions that abundance of nutrient transporters in the uterus and health of the uterus are key factors influencing maintenance of pregnancy and development of the embryo. Cow-calf producers should manage post-partum beef cows to be at ideal body weight and minimizing post-partum uterine infections to improve reproductive efficiency in the herd.

Technical Abstract: The uterine environment must provide sufficient endocrine conditions and nutrients for pregnancy maintenance and conceptus survival. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of preovulatory estradiol and conceptus presence on uterine transcripts and uterine luminal fluid (ULF) proteins. Beef cows/heifers were synchronized and artificially inseminated (d 0). Uteri were flushed (d 16); conceptuses and endometrial biopsies were collected. Total cellular RNA was extracted from endometrium for RNA sequencing and RT-PCR validation. There were two independent ULF pools made for each of the following groups: highE2/conceptus, highE2/noconceptus, lowE2/conceptus, and lowE2/noconceptus that were analyzed using the 2D LC-MS/MS based iTRAQ method. There were 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 77 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs) in common among the highE2/conceptus vs highE2/noconceptus and lowE2/conceptus vs lowE2/noconceptus groups. In summary, the interaction between preovulatory estradiol and the conceptus induces the expression of genes, proteins, and pathways necessary for pregnancy.