Project description:Observational data suggest that women conceiving without a corpus luteum are at higher risk of developing preeclampsia. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, the absence of corpus luteum-derived secretory products may be a contributing factor. This study investigates whether the plasma proteome differs between women who conceive with or without a corpus luteum and examines the relationship with mode of conception. Plasma samples from 12 participants were collected at three time points: first trimester, third trimester, and postpartum. The cohort included women who conceived unassisted (UC) after infertility, via artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer (AC FET), or natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (NC FET). 36 plasma protein samples were analyzed using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to compare the proteome of women who conceived with and without a corpus luteum, across different conception methods and pregnancy stages. In total, 528 proteins were quantified. No differentially expressed plasma proteins were identified between women with and without a corpus luteum. However, 15 proteins showed differential expression between UC and FET at all time points, with Bonferroni-corrected p<9.47 × 10E-5 and FC≥|2|. Several altered proteins, including PAPPA and ANG, were linked to preeclampsia. SERPINA7 was differentially detected when comparing time points within the unassisted conception method. No significant differences were detected between AC FET and NC FET. This pilot study revealed a unique proteomic signature associated with mode of conception. The findings suggest biologically plausible candidate proteins for further testing. Validation in larger cohorts or with alternative proteome analysis technologies is needed
Project description:To evaluate functional changes of the corpus luteum (CL) during early pregnancy in cows, gene expression profiles of the CL at the time of maternal recognition were investigated. Microarray analysis, using a 15 K bovine oligo DNA microarray, demonstrated 30 and 266 differentially expressed genes in the CL on days 15 (P15) and 18 (P18) of pregnancy compared with the CL on day 15 (NP15) of non-pregnancy (n=4 for each group, >2-fold change relative to NP15; P<0.05).
Project description:Although rescue of the corpus luteum is required for pregnancy, luteal function during maternal recognition of pregnancy remains largely unexplored. CL were collected from pregnant cattle on days 14, 17, 20, and 23, to encompass the maternal recognition of pregnancy period. Nanostring technology was used to profile miRNA. A total of 27 miRNA changed. MiRNA that increased were predicted to inhibit phosphatidylinositol signaling, while those that decreased may be negative regulators of steroidogenesis. Overall, these data indicate that there are changes in the CL of pregnancy that are important for continued luteal function.
Project description:The corpus luteum (CL), an ovarian transient gland, develops from the remnants of the ovulatory follicle and produces progesterone, required for maintenance of pregnancy in mammals. The development of the CL is characterized by the differentiation of granulosal and thecal cells into luteal cells, cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. As the CL matures, growth ceases and the tissue acquires the ability to undergo regression in response to luteolytic signals (prostaglandin F2alpha). The regulators of this transition are poorly understood. MicroRNA, posttranscriptional regulators of tissue development and function, are hypothesized to play a role during these processes. The goal of this study was to profile the expression of microRNA (miRNA) in the corpus luteum (CL) of Holstein cows at two time points of the estrous cycle (early-cycle (Day4) and midcycle (D9-12); day0= day of estrus) in order to investigate their role in regulating CL development and function.
Project description:Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as new players in the fine tuning of some reproductive functions in mammals via posttranscriptional gene regulation mechanisms. Importantly, miRNAs have been suggested to be an important regulators of various ovarian functions. Applying custom made multispecies arrays we aimed to analyze expression profile of miRNAs in corpus luteum to answer the question whether miRNAs can be involved in maintenance of luteal function during early pregnancy in pigs.
Project description:Lactation and associated metabolic stresses during the post-partum period have been shown to impair fertility in dairy cows. The oviduct plays key roles in embryo development and the establishment of pregnancy in cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lactation and location relative to the corpus luteum (CL) on the transcriptome of the bovine oviduct epithelium.
Project description:To determine functional differences between the corpus luteum (CL) of the estrous cycle and pregnancy in cows, gene expression profiles between the CL of the estrous cycle and pregnancy were investigated. A 15 K bovine oligo DNA microarray detected 138, 265 and 455 differentially expressed genes (>2-fold; P<0.05) in the bovine CL of 20-25, 40-45, and 150-160 days of pregnancy compared with 10-12 days of the estrous cycle. The different gene expression profiles may contribute to functional differences between the CL of pregnancy and the CL of the estrous cycle in cows. Chemokines including eotaxin and lymphotactin may regulate CL function during pregnancy.