The sheep conceptus modulates proteome profiles in caruncular endometrium during early pregnancy

This project was funded by NHS Grampian R&D project number RG05/019Peer reviewedPostprin

Identification of embryo implantation-related proteins

Identification of embryo implantation-related proteins Mitra Arianmanesh Embryo implantation is a complex process involving an active dialogue between the endometrium and embryo. Tightly controlled communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary, corpus luteum (CL), endometrium and embryo is essential for implantation. Unravelling molecules involved in embryo implantation is essential since implantation failure is one of the main causes of female infertility. Therefore, identification of molecular events during embryo implantation may result in enhancing implantation rates in both natural and assisted reproductive cycles, improving contraceptive design and reducing the rate of multiple pregnancies following embryo transfer in IVF cycles. Thus, in this study, sheep was used as an animal model in order to study endometrial, corpus luteal and plasma proteome changes during embryo implantation and early pregnancy. Endometrium, CLs and plasma were harvested from cyclic ewes on days 12 and 16 of the oestrous cycle (n=4 ewes/group) and from pregnant ewes on days 12, 16 and 20 of pregnancy (n=4 ewes/group). Furthermore, ovine endometrium were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant horns on days 16 (n=4) and 20 (n=4) of pregnancy to compare endometrial protein profiles of the gravid horn (in the presence of the conceptus) with the non-gravid horn (in the absence of the conceptus) in response to the conceptus to elucidate local embryo-endometrial signalling. 2DE gel, LC-MS/MS, Western blot, IHC and qRT-PCR were employed to quantify implantation processes. This study has identified proteins in the CL and endometrium with involvement in biological pathways that are fundamental for embryo implantation and gestation. In addition, it was found that the implanting embryo is capable of regulating the expression of endometrial proteins to establish an ideal environment for its implantation and establishment of pregnancy. These findings provide an addition to the field and a solid base for targeted studies to improve our understanding of implantation and its regulation.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Application of gel-based proteomic technique in female reproductive investigations

Recently, gel-based proteomics has been increasingly applied to investigate proteins involved in female reproductive tract in healthy and disease states. Gel-based proteomics coupled by mass spectrometry (MS) facilitate the identification of new proteins playing roles in cellular and molecular interactions underlying female reproductive biology and it is a useful method to identify novel biomarkers of diseases by studying thousands of proteins simultaneously involved in female reproductive tract in healthy state compared to disease state. This review will discuss the best studies areas contributed to female reproductive biology in which gel-based proteomics coupled by MS has been applied to generate proteome of female reproductive tract in a healthy state

The impact of ovarian stimulation on mouse endometrium: a morphometrical study

Background: The preparation of endometrium for embryo reception is dependent on the ovarian hormones, which are affected by ovarian hyperstimulation procedure. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in morphometrical indices of endometrium by the daily injection of progesterone after mouse ovarian induction. Materials and Methods: Adult virgin female mice were selected and divided into control and experimental groups. Experimental groups were superovulated using human menopasual gonadotropic hormone (HMG), and human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (HCG), then they, were subdivided into two groups, which one group was also injected daily by progesterone. All control and hyperstimulated groups were rendered pseudopregnant by cervical stimulation. Three and four days after the HCG injection, the samples of uterine horns were aparted and processed for light microscopic studies. Results: Our results showed that in the progesterone-injected group, the height of surface and glandular epithelium was decreased on day three (17.6±3.55, 10.02±2.6) and day four (16.9±4.24, 1.6±0.84) respectively, and it had low columnar morphology in comparison with the hyperstimulated and control groups. Also the intercellular spaces of stroma in progesterone-injected group were narrower than these in the other groups. Conclusion: Ovarian hyperstimulation followed by progesterone injection alter the morphometrical indices of surface and glandular epithelium of endometrium, which could affect on its receptivity

Human chorionic gonadotropin in vitro: Effects on rat sperm motility and fertilization outcome

Objective: To investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the motility of rat sperm and the fertilization rate following in vitro fertilization. Methods: hCG concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ng/mL with incubation time of 1 h and 2 h were used in medium to study sperm motility. Then, 25 and 100 ng/mL of hCG with incubation time of 2 h were applied for in vitro fertilization. After 6 h, the number of two pronuclei was counted. Obtained data was subjected to one way ANOVA and Bonferroni-Dun hoc-post test. Results: Total motility and progressive motility of sperms were increased significantly (P<0.05) in hCG experimental group with concentration of 25 ng/L and incubation time of 2 h compared to control group, however, total motility and progressive motility of sperms were decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing dose of hCG. Fertilization rate was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in hCG experimental group with dose of 100 ng/mL compared to 25 ng/mL and control group. Conclusions: The effect of hCG on the rat sperm motility and the rate of their fertility is dose-dependent so that hCG with dose of 25 ng/mL leads to an increase in rat sperm motility and to some extent fertilization rate